wrote:

I hate to admit it, but I don't know the
difference between a side slip and a
forward slip. Please walk me through
exactly what I'm doing with the stick and
rudder on each one and where the nose
is pointed.

See Chapter 14 of the SSA Soaring Flight Manual (pp 14-8 - 14-10) -- the two
maneuvers are fully detailed there, and there is also an excellent figure that
illustrates the difference. I am NOT a CFIG, so I urge you to read the
aforementioned paragraphs and/or talk to a CFIG. But VERY briefly, my
understanding is as follows:

Side Slip (for crosswind control): Lower upwind wing, use enough opposite
rudder to keep glider from banking in direction of the wing. Longitudinal axis
is parallel to the straight flight path.

Forward Slip (steepens angle of descent, used to lose excess altitude): Lower
wing, use oppposite rudder to point nose away from the glide path exposing the
front side of the glider to the oncoming air to create more drag (careful to
maintain not increase airspeed and remember ASI will not be correct). Slip
*toward* crosswind if one is present. Longitudinal axis is NOT parallel to the
flight path, but the flight path is straight. Resume normal flight, of course,
before landing (I'm sure you know that, just CMA!!)!

--Shirley