A universal swing training apparatus is provided that includes a sports-related implement and a slide mechanism. The implement includes a proximal section and a distal section that are spaced apart to form a gap there-between. The slide mechanism is inserted within this gap and is connected to the upper end of the proximal section and the lower end of the distal section. The slide mechanism includes a rail guide, a plurality of front ball bearings, a plurality of rear ball bearings, and a sliding rail assembly that are cooperatively configured to insure that this upper end and this lower end are coaxial when the sliding rail assembly is situated in a coaxial position on the rail guide, and permit a lateral shift of this lower end relative to this upper end during a swinging of the implement.