Anonymous asked: Can you give me some tips to stop flailing on tstops? I find that I feel like I have to put my arms out to balance myself while stoping. Also, I can't figure out the baseball slide. My legs just don't want to go into the 4. Am I supposed to slide on my hip, or on the back of my legs?

So… you guys all realize that I’m totally not a trainer or a coach, right? I like answering questions, but I really don’t know all the answers, especially when it comes to technique-y stuff.

Please please please don’t be afraid to ask your coaches or your trainers for help, because they can see what you’re actually doing and give you pointers in person.

I would say just keep practicing for t-stops — you’ll find that you have one side that’s stronger than the other (for me it’s right-foot-back). It’s one of those skills that is hard to stick at first, but then you figure out the little things that make it work. Your coaches will help you!

For the baseball slide, man, I have not done one in a long time (but will probably be doing them tomorrow!), but again, you’ll probably find you have one leg that goes down into the knee faster (mine is my left), and then you basically sit with one knee tucked under you and the other leg straight out. (I just got down on the carpet and practiced.)

I would not slide on the hip or on the back of your legs, that is a good way to get a nasty friction burn. It’s more of a knee-slide-into-a-sit, then you pop up quickly.