When it comes to pitching, one of the hottest questions that is regularly asked is how to throw a slider properly.
There are two fundamental elements to each pitch, and like with each pitch, when learning how to throw a slider, you must first understand the correct grip, and then understand the proper release.
Most generally, a slider is gripped with the index finger and middle finger touching and the middle finger pushed against the seams of the baseball at one of the two, large cupped ends. Your ring finger and pinky should be off to one side and not making any contact with the baseball. Even though your pointer finger is making contact with the baseball, there should be noticeably more pressure placed on the ball by your middle finger and your thumb.
The slider is regarded as a speed pitch, and is thrown using your fast ball arm speed. For the purposes of demonstrating the proper release point, I would point to two different positions. The 1st is a palm down hand position, which is the standard release point for a fastball. The 2nd is frequently referred to as a karate chop position, and is the standard release point for a curveball.
When teaching somebody how to throw a slider, I really like to describe the right release point as being the midpoint of the palm down fastball release point and the full karate chop release point of a traditional curveball. With the natural outside-in action that this arm angle produces, The middle finger applying pressure on the seam produces a cutting rotation thru the centre of the ball which is exactly consistent with the angle of the forearm, wrist, and hand. The easiest mistake to make on this pitch is not staying on top of the ball all of the way thru release, or asserted another way, returning to palm down position before release, getting rid of the effect created by the angle of the forearm, wrist, and hand.
A slider, when thrown correctly by a right-handed pitcher, will cut away from a right handed batter and cut in on a left-handed batter. The wrong effect is right for a left-handed pitcher throwing a slider. A good rough guide for the average expected movement of a good slider is 6 inches across and six inches down. When teaching someone how to throw a slider, the best pitching coaches will typically counsel that the slider be anywhere from 9-12 MPH slower than one’s best fastball.
One last caution and it is related to youth pitchers. A slider is probably one of the most wearing pitches on anyones arm and should not even be introduced till age 13 at the very earliest. Coaches will routinely be asked by players younger than this how to throw a slider, and they should all be definite about its long-term risks and discourage its use.
Keith Whitten is a youth baseball coach who specializes in training young pitchers in the proper techniques for long term pitching success. Whether its questions like how to throw a curveball or how to throw a slider, or something more intricate like baseball pitching speeds and strategies, you will find Keith knowledgeable and engaging
Keith Whitten is a youth baseball coach who specializes in training young pitchers in the proper techniques for long term pitching success, including the proper techniques for how to throw a slider. Whether its questions like how to throw a curveball or how to throw a slider, or something more intricate like baseball pitching speeds and strategies, you will find Keith knowledgeable and engaging
