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How to Slide on Hard Tennis Courts

Sliding is easiest on a soft clay tennis court. Although still possible, a hard concrete or asphalt court limits the distance and speed of your slide. Clay has a lower friction coefficient and allows objects to slide farther and faster than on harder rock-based surfaces. The technique and footwear used to slide on soft- and hard-surfaced tennis court are the same, it is only the outcome that will differ, and this needs to be taken into account when you attempt a sliding shot.

Things You'll Need

Tennis shoes
Tennis racket

Instructions

- 1
  Wear the tennis shoes and go to a hard-surfaced court to practice your slide. Ensure that the court is dry; return after it dries if it is wet.
- 2
  Pick up and hold the tennis racket. Stand on the right boundary line of the court and face the left boundary line. Sprint straight until your dominant foot touches or passes the center line. Spread your legs out by ensuring the heel of your from foot is 2-1/2 feet away from the toes of your back foot; slightly farther than shoulder-width apart.
- 3
  Dig the heel of your front foot into the ground and lift your front foot's toes. Dig the toes of your rear foot into the ground and lift your rear heel. Use the momentum of the run, your extended center of gravity and the small area of contact of your feet to propel you along the surface of the court.
- 4
  Take a swing with the racket as your slide comes to an end. Get used to the distance and speed you achieve with each slide. Practice your slides in tennis matches and hit the ball while in mid-slide as the distance and speeds become more predictable to you.

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