diff --git a/ootw/keyboard.s b/ootw/keyboard.s
index fb216081..5d8bd3c8 100644
--- a/ootw/keyboard.s
+++ b/ootw/keyboard.s
@@ -306,6 +306,15 @@ start_crouch_shoot:
 
 start_crouch:
 	and	#STATE_RUNNING
+	beq	start_crouch_norun
+
+	ldx	#4		; slide a bit
+	stx	GAIT
+	ora	#P_CROUCHING
+	sta	PHYSICIST_STATE
+	jmp	done_keypress
+
+start_crouch_norun:
 	ora	#P_CROUCHING
 	jmp	change_state_clear_gait
 
@@ -388,10 +397,7 @@ stand_stance:
 	jmp	change_state_clear_gait
 
 kick:
-;	lda	#STATE_CROUCHING
 	bit	PHYSICIST_STATE		; crouching state in V now
-;	lda	PHYSICIST_STATE
-;	cmp	#P_CROUCHING
 	bvc	kick_standing
 
 	lda	#P_CROUCH_KICKING
diff --git a/ootw/physicist.s b/ootw/physicist.s
index 814ec7ad..9e5b9f9b 100644
--- a/ootw/physicist.s
+++ b/ootw/physicist.s
@@ -184,6 +184,22 @@ physicist_crouching:
 
 	; FIXME: we have an animation?
 
+	; if we have some gait left, slide a bit
+	lda	GAIT
+	beq	crouch_done_slide
+
+	dec	GAIT
+	bne	crouch_done_slide
+
+	lda	DIRECTION
+	beq	p_slide_left
+	inc	PHYSICIST_X
+	jmp	crouch_done_slide
+p_slide_left:
+	dec	PHYSICIST_X
+
+crouch_done_slide:
+
 	lda	#<crouch2
 	sta	INL