The descending plate and overriding block in a subduction zone are analogous to the guide surface and slide block in a slipper bearing, and subducted sediment is analogous to the lubricant. Subduction is more complex and varied, however, because the overriding block is not rigid, the sediment is buoyant, underplating can occur, and sediment supply can vary widely. A model based on the bearing anology but taking these differences into account makes detailed quantitative predictions for actual sites, which are illustrated by calculations for five diverse examples: Mariana, 16¿ N; Mexico, 17¿ N; Lesser Antilles, 13¿ N (Barbados); Alaska, 153¿ W (Kodiak); and Japan 40¿ N. It requires as input the geometry of the overriding block and the top of the descending plate, the distribution of density and permeability of the overriding block, the speed of subduction, the density and rheological properties of the subducted sediment (all sites; maximum of 360 m at Mariana, 5300 m at Japan), the velocities of flow in the layer (all sites), the shear stresses exerted on the walls (all sites; low beneath accretionary prisms, up to 6 MPa beneath Japan), the rate of offscraping (none at Mariana and late Tertiary Mexico; 85% of input at Lesser Antilles; includes melange at Japan), the distribution and rates of underplating (none at Mariana, extensive at Japan), the zones of possible subduction erosion (extensive at Mariana; local at the others), the amount of sediment subducted to the volcanic arc (all sites; 2% of input at Lesser Antilles, 100% at Mariana), the qualitative pattern of flow at the inlet (five basic patterns; all sites), the upward flow of melange in many instances (none at Mariana; extensive at Japan), and, under relatively rare conditions, the formation of large-scale melange diapirs (only at Lesser Antilles beneath Barbados Island).