1. When practicing sliding, try using a large piece of cardboard placed on the grass. Start the slide when hitting the piece of cardboard. This causes the cardboard to slide on the grass and there is less chance for injury. You can also have someone hold a stick of some kind as a sort of limbo bar and slide under it to make sure you stay as low as possible. Use good sliding form every time.

2. Practice sliding. Skilled sliding will save your butt more often that you can think. Master the various slides: bent leg, pop-up, back door, and head first.