Last Updated on May 20, 2022
Good pitchers throw different types of pitches. Slider pitch is one of them. Throwing sliders properly always helps you to get a quick result.
But, do you know how to throw a slider properly? Learning slider pitches is not that complex. But, you have to ensure an extensive level of hard work, attention, and sincerity to learn them.
As a high school level baseball coach, I have been teaching my students hitting and pitching for a long day.
However, I would love to help you to learn how to throw a slider properly from my perspective and aspects? Are you ready to leap? Then, let’s start.
What Is Slider Pitch?
Slider is a particular type of pitch in baseball. It is a type of breaking ball which goes through the batter down to the strike zone laterally.
If a slider is thrown correctly, the ball will not exceed the speed of a fastball. But, a slider is faster than a curveball.
And, you will see that a slider will never get more break than a curveball as well. The release technique you need to use is like between the fastball and curveballs.
On the other hand, a slider pitch breaks more than a cutter. If you throw a slider correctly, it would bring you a quick result by bluffing the batter.
The slider-breaking balls are also known as snapper or yakker. Most big league pitchers spend their time learning and practicing sliders, curveballs, or breaking balls. Because a slider with a diagonal break may help you to get a First-pitch-strike.
Types Of Slider Pitch Spins?
Every slider generates a side spin when throwing. The side spin generates the break for the throw. By the way, all sliders follow two basic types of spin when thrown correctly.
They are Bullet spin, which spin perpendicularly to the direction of the ball. Another one is the forward spin, which spins in the same direction as the ball is thrown.
summing up things, you will get diagonal breaking pitches from the sliders. And this will happen with an equal downward lateral curve.
The young pitchers need a lot of practice to acquire the mastery of spin of the slider pitcher with slider grips.
The great pitch with a slider along with adding velocity results in a great bluff on the batters.
How To Grip A Slider Pitch?: Use Of Middle Finger And Index Finger
Most of the time you will see, generally, a pitcher’s hand gripping a ball like a two-seam fastball. Aside from this, a good slider is also gripped slightly off-center on the outer seam of the ball.
On the ball, use your middle finger and index finger to press down. Maintain a U-shaped seam on the outer third of the ball to keep them in place.
You will see that the professional players utilize their grip on the outer third of the baseball with mastery.
Aside from these, your hands’ orientation is also important to holding slider grips. I was a right-handed pitcher. I used to place my index and middle fingers on the side of the right half.
Also, the left-handers in my team used to use their middle fingers on the left half of the ball’s seam.
Place your thumb side on the ball exactly on the opposite side inside the seam, where you will use your index to twist the ball. Keep the thumb and other fingers closer. It will produce a perfect slider.
Think about the dial of an analog clock. put your index finger and middle fingers as they lay on the dial at 10 or 11 o’clock. And position your thumb side at the position of a clock where the dial of 4 and 5 sustain.
Now finally, two fingers are left. Put your ring finger and pinky finger outside of the ball away from the middle and index finger.
Turn your wrist slightly and release the ball. It will generate the necessary velocity for the ball.
Also, make sure you produce the largest portion of pressure from the thumb. If you give to pressure from the other fingers, the ball will become a curveball.
Also, avoid twisting more so that your hands don’t get any injury. And last, try different grips for a good slider.
How To Throw A Slider?: The Techniques Of Throwing Arm Sliders
Learning sliding mechanics and developing them is the first thing for pitching sliders. To master the nasty slider, you must follow some precise techniques.
So, make sure you have developed some effective techniques before you throw sliders.
The Arm Motion While Preparing To Release The Slider
Before releasing the ball, think about the speed of the ball. Remember, though you are going to throw a slider, the speed is a must. So, make sure you are going to pitch with a fastball speed.
Don’t twist your wrist. Rather keep your wrist loose before releasing the ball. Make sure your index finger is on the top of the baseball.
Maintain a parallel relationship between your hand and elbow. Demonstrate your arm path like you’re throwing a fastball.
Keep your body steady, make your throwing arm as fast as fastball pitching, and shorten the arm path so that the elbow doesn’t get any pain.
The Arm Motion While Throwing A Slider
While releasing the ball, slightly tilt your wrist to a quarter turn. Make sure your ball has a tight spin on it. In order to accomplish so, you must put your first finger on the top of the ball.
Also, you should flex forward your wrist when you want to ensure a good slider. If you feel a burning sensation on your first finger, you can be assured that the ball has been cut down properly.
Foot Forward Motion
To learn the breaking ball, you also need to work with your forward motion mechanism. You must control your motion along with the slider.
When throwing a slider, you must maintain your feet parallel to the ground. Transversely cross your throwing hand from one side to the other of your body.
Also, you should apply pressure on the ball, to make the ball drop in front of the batter, so that he misses it. Come down off your wrist without the inward turn after releasing the ball as you pitched a fastball. The mechanics should be followed to develop the basic grip.
Alongside the slider, do you want to increase your pitching velocity? If so, you may check our guide on How To Increase Pitching Velocity By 10 MPH.
However, see some legendary slider grip thumb side spin in the following video.
The Steps Of Throwing A Slider Pitch: Your Index Finger Impacts
After learning the basic things about slider grip, ball spinning, and other key points of good slider grips, now is time to throw a slider.
So, how to throw a slider perfectly? You have got to go here.
Have The Perfect Grip With Index And Middle Fingers
Make sure you perfectly grip the ball. Put your index finger and middle finger on the ball. Put them as if you are going to pitch a two-seam fastball.
Make a fist with your index and middle fingers and place them on the ball. It is preferable to keep your grip on the ball slightly off-center.
Generate pressure on the ball from your index finger. Make sure the pressure comes from the thumb side to the index finger.
Now, keep the ball tight. You need to throw a slider now.
Make Sure You Hide Your Grip From The Batter
Either right-hander or left-handed batter, whoever is on the home plate, hide your grip from him. It is necessary so that he cannot read the action of your hand.
The advice is strongly preferred for the youth pitchers.
Wind Up Your Body And Throw
Shift your body weight from back to front. aim to the home plate, and follow the motion of your body.
Maintain a parallel stride with your foot and ensure that your throwing hand crosses the front of your body.
Keep Your Wrist Loose During Release The Ball
Don’t tighten up your wrist while releasing the slider. Though using the index and middle fingers, apply a little pressure on the ball with your index finger so that the ball gets a late break.
Just keep your wrist from twisting.
Snap The Wrist Of Throwing Hand While Releasing The Pitch
Snap your wrist upside down to the opposite leg side of the hand. Be sure that the snapping is not the same as the twisting.
Make Understand Yourself As If You Are Throwing A Fastball
Keep your wrist at such an angle that you are pitching a fastball. Just have a slight spin of the index finger for the late break of the ball. If you can create large angles with your finger, it will create wider breaking balls.
The success of the slider depends on its breaking time. The last-minute break brings the most successful result of a slider.
Make the proper use of your wrist, thumb, index, and middle fingers. The pro pitcher’s updated apr also follows these rules.
Be Assured With The Following Consideration
Make sure you consider the following key point for throwing a slider.
- The most basic one is, if you throw to a right-handed batter, make sure you throw the ball outside part of the home plate. Do the vice versa for the left-handed batter.
- Target the corner of the strike zone. This increases the chance that the batter misses the ball.
- Your index finger generates the ball spinning. So, don’t let the other parts of your hand do something here.
Do you want to the difference between a slider and a curveball? Then you should read this article to find the difference between a slider and a curveball.
Facts To Keep In Mind While Learning The Sliders
In my workout programs, I always give some advice to my students who want to learn sliders (actually for all types of pitches). This advice is also for you if you are among the youth pitchers. Keep this advice while learning the slider.
- Start the pitching with less speed. Don’t be in a hurry and increase the speed from the fast. A slow start will help you to get a better result.
- After some workout programs, start to add speed to the slider.
- Follow the rules for developing your mechanics. Keep patience.
- The last thing,
You need practice and practice. Throw the sliders “THOUSANDS OF TIMES”. Don’t lose your patience. Believe me, it takes time to become a good pitcher with an effective slider.
Big league pitchers spend a lot of time developing their performance.
Slider is one of the most important pitches in baseball? Along with sliders, there are many pitches used in the game. The guide on “What Are The Best Pitches To Throw In Baseball?” would be knowledgeable for a youth pitcher.
Some Common Misconceptions About Sliders
- Many people think that the sliders are not fit for youth players. But this is not true. But, if a kid can learn a curveball, he also can learn the sliders. But, learning any breaking ball is perfect for the players above the age of 14.
- Many think the slider is hard to throw. But the truth is, it is easier than the curveball. But, during the learning period, any kid can throw a poor slider or a poor curveball. But, most collegiate players throw sliders as their first choice, because it is easy to throw.
- Many also think that the curveball is better than a slider. But, how could you say that? They are two different types of pitches. Both of them have their different aspects. Like you are comparing an apple to a watermelon that serves two different perspectives.
In the ultimate point, it’s you who will decide the perfect choice for yourself. The pitches are not that important. The important thing is, how masterfully you can throw one of them to get the best results.
However, there is no way to skip practicing more and more to develop your pitching skills. But, you will not get any mate to help you practice pitching. So, knowing how to practice pitching alone would be an effective solution for this.
Here is another article on How to play catcher in Baseball. I think it will help you to improve your tactical skills if you want to be a catcher in the future.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do Sliders Harm Your Hands?
Actually, if you are an athlete, there are chances to face injuries in many ways. This is a different fact. But fundamentally, the sliders will not harm your hand if you throw a slider correctly.
How Do You Throw A Nasty Slider?
Grip the ball like a two-seam fastball. Keep the ball slightly off-center. Generate the manipulation with the combination of the index and thumb sides.
Release the ball with a one-finger impact (index). If you want to use two fingers, it will end up as an imbalanced pitch.
When Should You Start Throwing A Slider?
Basically, a slider suits a player when he turns into 14 or more. To be honest, before 14, you shouldn’t let your kids try a slider or curveball.
However, to entirely learn sliders will take them 1 to 3 years.
Now you know hot throe a slider. So, you must be excited to learn what is a cutter pitch?
Conclusion
Slider is one of the most crucial pitches for a pitcher. Masterly crafting a slider will help you bluff the batters and get them out easily.
So, learning how to throw a slider is essential if you want velocity with curving the ball. But, there is no alternative to going under the supervision of a coach at all.
By the way, what do you think about sliders? Have I missed something? Or is there anything that could be added to master a slider more easily?
Why are you waiting? Ping me in the comment box.
Hello everyone. My name is Jason Butler, and I live in California, America. I was a professional AAA Minor League Baseball player. I lost my chance of playing MLB for injury issues, but I did not lose my love for baseball. I attended the coaching training program and am now working as a coach in a small school in San Diego.
I always love to share my experience and knowledge if that can help you. Play baseball, and stay fit.