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Ethan Wilder
Blog Posts
As a pitcher, the curveball and slider are two of the most powerful weapons in your arsenal. If used correctly, these pitches can make you nearly untouchable, leaving batters guessing and off balance. However, the curveball and slider are also some of the trickiest pitches to master. They require precision, consistency, and the right mechanics to deliver a sharp, effective break that fools hitters every time.
So, do you need to improve your curveball or slider? Whether you're looking to add a new breaking pitch to your repertoire or refine your current one, understanding the key components and working to improve your grip, release point, and arm mechanics is essential to throwing a pitch that can dominate at any level.
In this blog, let's dive into why a strong breaking ball is essential for your pitching arsenal and how you can refine your technique to improve your curveball and slider for more strikeouts and better control.
A reliable breaking ball, such as a curveball or slider, can take your pitching game to the next level. With a strong breaking ball, you become far more unpredictable to hitters. The most significant advantage of throwing a good curveball or slider is deception. These pitches allow you to throw off the batter’s timing, making it much harder for them to make solid contact.
With a curveball or slider in your arsenal, you have the flexibility to mix up your pitches and keep hitters on their toes. This makes it difficult for them to lock in on your fastball and anticipate your next pitch. The breaking ball can also help you induce weak contact, such as ground balls or pop-ups, rather than allowing a batter to square up a fastball for a potential home run.
A good breaking ball can also lead to more strikeouts, especially when you’re ahead in the count. The sharp movement of the ball, combined with proper location, can make even the toughest hitters swing and miss.
Even experienced pitchers can fall into bad habits when it comes to throwing breaking balls. Let’s look at a few of the most common mistakes that can hinder your performance:
Poor Grip or Finger Placement: If your grip is too tight or too loose, the ball won’t break as sharply. Incorrect finger placement can lead to inconsistent spin, making your breaking ball flatter and easier to hit.
Lack of Arm Speed: One of the biggest mistakes pitchers make is not generating enough arm speed when throwing their breaking ball. Without the right speed, the pitch will lose its bite, and it will be easier for hitters to pick up.
Incorrect Timing: Timing the arm action for a breaking ball is crucial. If you release the ball too early or too late, it will either float too high or fail to break at all.
Inconsistent Release Point: If your release point is off, it becomes much harder to control the pitch. A low release point can lead to low breaking balls that get crushed, while a high release point can lead to pitches that don’t break enough.
Excessive Elbow Strain: Throwing a breaking ball with too much force or with improper mechanics can lead to excessive strain on the elbow. This can result in pain or injury over time, making it difficult to throw with velocity and accuracy.
These mistakes are all preventable with the right technique and practice. Now let’s dive into how you can master the curveball and slider and avoid these common pitfalls.
To truly master the curveball and slider, it's essential to focus on several key areas. Let’s break down the steps you need to take to ensure you’re throwing these pitches with confidence and precision.
The foundation of a good curveball or slider begins with the right grip and finger placement. For a curveball, position your middle finger along the seam of the ball, and place your index finger on the opposite seam to support it. Your thumb should rest lightly under the ball for balance. The grip should feel firm but not tense, as a tight grip will reduce the ball's ability to spin and break.
For a slider, place your index and middle fingers across the seam, ensuring that the ball rests more towards the inside of your fingers. This position will allow you to generate the necessary spin for lateral movement. Make sure your thumb is positioned directly beneath the ball for support and control. The grip is one of the most important aspects of any breaking ball, so it’s essential to experiment until you find the one that feels most comfortable for you.
The right grip ensures that your pitch has the potential for sharp movement and avoids issues like poor spin or a flatter trajectory. Don’t rush this step; take the time to find the most comfortable and effective grip for your pitches.
Arm speed is key to throwing an effective curveball or slider. For both pitches, you need to ensure that your arm action remains smooth and fluid, mimicking the same motion as your fastball. This creates deception, as batters won't be able to tell whether you're throwing a fastball or breaking ball until it's too late.
For the curveball, your arm should stay high as you complete the throwing motion. The key to generating a sharp downward break is in the wrist snap at the release point. With the slider, the arm action is a bit quicker and more compact, with a sharp wrist snap at the end. Both pitches require timing and coordination, so it’s important to practice regularly to develop the right rhythm for each pitch.
Timing your arm action properly also prevents unnecessary strain on the elbow. A smooth, controlled delivery allows the body to work efficiently, maximizing the effectiveness of your breaking ball while reducing the risk of injury.
Your release point is essential in determining how effectively your curveball or slider breaks. If your release point is too low or too high, the break will either be too weak or inconsistent. For the curveball, release the ball with a downward motion, focusing on flicking your wrist to create spin. A low release point can result in a flatter curveball that lacks the desired drop.
For the slider, focus on a consistent, quick lateral snap of your wrist. The slider’s break comes from the side-to-side motion, so your release point should be higher than your fastball but still fluid. Consistency in your release point is key to ensuring that your breaking ball behaves predictably.
Finding the ideal release point for your breaking balls requires experimentation and feedback. It’s critical to throw a curveball or slider with a similar release point to your fastball so that hitters can’t easily identify your off-speed pitch.
To generate velocity and spin on your curveball or slider without putting excess strain on your elbow, you need to ensure that your arm speed is quick but not forced. Don’t try to throw harder than you need to — focus on generating a smooth arm motion and utilizing your wrist to create spin rather than overworking your elbow.
If you feel any discomfort in your elbow while throwing a breaking ball, take a step back and reassess your mechanics. The key is to throw with speed and fluidity without overexerting yourself. Consistent practice with proper mechanics will help prevent injury and allow you to throw these pitches with more confidence.
Avoiding arm strain while throwing these pitches ensures longevity in your pitching career. Make sure you focus on maintaining proper mechanics and arm speed, rather than trying to overpower the pitch.
Finally, practice is key to mastering your breaking balls. But practicing without intention can lead to slow progress. When practicing your curveball or slider, make sure you focus on specific aspects of the pitch, such as hitting a target in different areas of the strike zone. Work on throwing the pitch low and away, high and inside, or in any other location you want to target.
Also, practice throwing these pitches in various game situations. Try throwing breaking balls when you’re behind in the count or when you need to get a strikeout. The more you practice with a clear goal in mind, the more consistent and effective your breaking balls will become.
Simulate real-game scenarios in your bullpen sessions so that you can develop the confidence to throw your breaking balls in pressure situations. Practicing with purpose helps you improve not only your technique but also your mental game.
Mastering the curveball and slider can be a game-changer in your pitching career. A strong breaking ball gives you an edge over hitters, adding a level of deception that makes you unpredictable on the mound. By focusing on proper grip, arm speed, release point, and consistency, you’ll improve your breaking balls and avoid common mistakes that can derail your performance.
Whether you're refining an existing curveball or slider or learning to throw one from scratch, remember that practice, patience, and attention to detail are key. With time, your breaking ball will become a reliable weapon that keeps batters guessing and sets you up for success on the mound. Keep honing your craft, and soon enough, you’ll be throwing a nasty breaker that leaves hitters swinging at air.
Monitor how often batters miss or swing through the pitch. If you're getting weak contact or strikeouts, your breaking ball is likely working well.
This depends on your natural throwing motion and which pitch feels more comfortable. Start with one, and once it's refined, consider adding the other to your repertoire.
Ensure you're properly warmed up before pitching. In colder conditions, focus on fluid arm motion and avoid forcing the pitch to prevent injury.
