How To Throw A Slider In Baseball
How To Throw A Slider In Baseball. A slider is a pitch that's thrown like a fastball, but then veers off to the side. A well thrown slider can have the batter thinking fastball until its late break, making it one of the hardest pitches for a batter to detect. VideoJug's baseball made easy guide!
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Step 1:
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Get A Grip
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The slider grip is done by placing your index and middle fingers across the widest seams, while your thumb is tucked underneath the ball. The pressure of your grip should come from your thumb and middle finger.
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Step 2:
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The Wind Up
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Proper mechanics are essential to becoming an exceptional pitcher. While sizing up your target grip the ball, keeping it hidden in your glove so as not to tip off the opponents. With your foot on the rubber, take a small step backwards with your other foot to start your windup. Keeping the center of your weight over the rubber, bring your glove and pitching hand to your head. While bringing your hands back down, pivot your foot, flush against the rubber.
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Step 3:
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The Delivery
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With your eyes focused on your target lift your knee, rotate your hips, and keep your other knee slightly bent to maintain balance and power. As you lower your stride leg begin to take the ball out of the glove and cock your gun. Your pitching arm should continue swing upward while your glove hand is now pulling your front shoulder towards home plate. Your throwing elbow should be above your shoulder while you are rotating your hips. The ball is released with a loose wrist, in front of your body, while allowing your fingers to stay on top of the ball. Your pitching arm extends out and down, causing your hand to do the same. Your front leg should be slightly bent as, with your foot slightly closed to home plate."
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Step 4:
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Follow Through
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As you release the ball your front leg should stiffen so that your leg and upper body are now at a 90 degree angle. Your back leg should swing around next to your stride leg putting you in a fielding position.
