The slider is baseball's third fastest throw, just behind the four-stitch and two-stitch fastballs. It is important to know how to perform this throw correctly to avoid arm injuries. A well launched slider should fall into the final part of the trajectory as a curve would. A left-handed pitcher's slider should lower and move away from left-handed hitters and move closer to right-handed hitters.
Steps
Method 1 of 2: Grip
Step 1. Grasp the ball with index and middle fingers joined over an outside seam
Find the U-seam. If you are right-handed, place your middle finger over the right half of the seam. Your fingers should be facing the outside of the ball.
Step 2. Put your thumb under the inside seam of the ball
The other two fingers should not make contact with the surface of the ball. If the index and middle fingers are at 10 or 11 o'clock, the thumb should be at 4 or 5 o'clock.
Step 3. Hold the ball so that most of the pressure comes from the thumb side of the index finger
By applying pressure with index and middle fingers, the cast will be straighter, or it will become a cutter.
Step 4. Bring your wrist slightly to the thumb side of the throwing hand
Most pitchers do this to make sure the ball hits the thumb side of the index finger. You won't have to rotate your wrist as you release the ball, so this adjustment helps to get the pitch down more.
Method 2 of 2: Mastering the Release
Step 1. Start uploading
Step your foot and bring your body weight from your back foot to home plate.
Step 2. Don't strain your wrist when you let go of the ball
Remember to bend it slightly, but resist the temptation to twist it.
Try not to push your wrist forward with more force than necessary
Step 3. Snap your wrist (top to bottom) to drop the ball when it hits the plate
Step 4. Think of a fastball when you let go of the ball
Be prepared to bring your wrist straight down, like you would for a fastball.
Step 5. Remember to rotate the launch with your index finger and not a twist of the wrist
You will need to move your wrist from top to bottom and not side to side. The larger the angle created by rotating the fingers, the greater the fall of the slider.
Step 6. Complete the movement
The feet should be parallel to the end of the throw and the arm should be in front of the body.
Advice
- The farther the thumb is from the other fingers, the more the throw will fall, and the closer it is, the more it will move sideways.
- If you throw it correctly, the ball should turn visibly.
- If you can't get the trajectory you want, try a faster or slower throw, slightly change your grip on the ball, or try applying different pressures with different fingers.
- Throw a slider inside the pot at a left-handed hitter and outside at a right-footed hitter.
