Can't throw a Curveball?

You need to ensure you're getting on top of the ball with a slight wrist flick upon release.

What age u talking here?  How long has he been throwing it?

Learning mechanics of each pitch is important. Find a good instructor if he doesn't have one and can't seem to fix it on his own. Good luck

Young_Baller,

 

I'm not sure how old you (or son) are, but I'll assume you are older than 16 for the moment.  First, of all never give up.  Second, break it down into something you can understand and visualize.  If this still isn't working for you get some professional help and practice it every bullpen session.  This isn't a video game, you've got to learn how to throw it correctly and feel the ball come out of your hand for the break.  Work the grip (choke it), stay on top and keep working it.

 

I've got three pitchers in the house.  My oldest playing in college didn't learn to throw a curve ball until he was 17 (junior in high school).  He had a very good two seam fastball and an excellent change up, but he really had to work hard on his curve ball.  The curve ball didn't come easy for him either, but he eventually turned it into very good pitch for him along with a cutter.   My two younger sons learned the curve ball younger and added the change up later. 

 

Good luck.

For a 15 year old pitcher, I would continue to work on your FB and change up.

You might want to try to find a good instructor for the CB however, it may not be your pitch.

My son's CB never broke well so he throws a slider, but you shouldn't attempt until you are older (as suggested in another post you began).

 

Hey guys, I suggest that maybe looking at past posts by websters with the same type of questions.

 

I am not understanding how anyone can give advice here (not particularly this post) on how to throw a pitch correctly without seeing the pitcher throw it. The pitcher should always be referred to a professional.

 

JMO

Obviously, seeing someone throw the pitch is essential to helping the pitcher improve.  However, there is absolutely nothing wrong with posters stating the general technique to try and help the OP improve.  

 

What does the pitcher throw, is his FB his primary pitch, how fast, what is his arm angle, is he getting the forward spin, is the CB slowing down his FB, is he going for a  a 12-6 or a 1-7 break, can he throw an effective change, does he throw a 4 or a 2 seamer or both, etc.  Is he a lefty or a righty?

It's a difficult pitch to learn, and the only way you can master it is by practicing it over and over and over.

How can you give advice if you have no idea what's going on?  Of course the OP needs to give more info.

JMO

Thank you for the encouragement.  I think I might be the Varsity #4 guy this year, and I am freaking out because I can't throw a curveball.  I am scared when season rolls around I am going to get absolutely hammered!

I throw over the top
I am a righty

I throw a 2-seam/4-seam

Me and my pitching coach are working on the Change-up now

And I have no idea what a 12-6 break or 1-7 break is, I'm sorry. 

I was just looking for suggestions for an alternative to a curveball that would be "safe" on the arm.  I read a lot of people's stuff on the internet, but I never know how to trust and who not to trust.  This is why often times, I end up posting here.  Thanks 

I'm not a doctor, but it won't hurt your arm to practice any grip.  Try all of them, and throw what works.

Thanks for info.
What does your coach say about your curve. Why isnt he helping you or does he prefer you use a change up? 
You don't need at 15 to have 4 pitches to get outs.  You need to keep working on your fb for success.

There is just so much more to it than having an alternative.  Sit down with your coach to figure out what would be best for you.

Listen to TPM.(and the others)

 

Very relevant story: Son finished his fall intersquads (college) and a freshmen no one really expected to do much was probably the 5 or 6th best pitcher out of the bunch,(were talking 18 pitchers) did really well. Son (Jr) was talking to him and asked about his approach and he said "all I did was throw FB's on the corners and changed locations. FB down and in, FB down away, FB up and in, FB out and away. Over and over. Changed eyesight and location. 

 

For your, next is the change and once you have those then work on the CB. Really work on getting your change to roll over. You are not going to get the magic answer on a BB. Get with a coach who knows you weekly and can help, too many variables to deal with.

 

Good Luck!

 

 

 

 Thanks everyone!  I will continue to work on my change-up and quit worrying about the curveball for now!  This will most likely be the last time I post for a long while, because I am shutting down the computer and video games, and really going to start working like crazy.  Kind of the thing I did when I first came to this site to ask questions on how I could improve.  You have recommened me to so many things that have helped me!  If it wasn't for you guys, I wouldn't of ever got Jaeger Bands, or a Throwing program, and countless other little information I have learned on how to become a better baseball player!  Once I find out what I need to know on my lifting question that I posted earlier, I will be on my way with everything that I need to know/and all the quipment needed to become the best baseball player I can be! 

Thanks!

Best of luck!
And keep working on the 4 and 2 seamer!

Everyone is different and what works for one person may not work for another, but I was once in your shoes so I thought I'd share. I held off on the curveball until high school, and then I struggled early with it despite going to a specialist trainer for pitching. I started with a knuckle curve because it was easier for me to throw and got used to the motion in games. A year or two later, my math teacher shared with me a tiny little tip that took my curveball from below average to outstanding. You have to finish the pitch by rotating your fingers as if you were turning a doorknob with JUST your curveball grip. I always had good control and an above average fastball but when I started doing this on my curveball, I finally had a devastating secondary pitch that helped me get into the Michigan high school record books for season and career ERA. Again, not sure where exactly you are without seeing you throw, but this tip really helped me visualize what I had to do to really get the good break. Hopefully it'll help you as well.

 

All that being said, don't underestimate the effectiveness of a good fastball/changeup combo. If you can make them look identical with enough MPH difference between the two, you can be a superstar. It's very difficult to hit if the pitcher can throw either pitch in any count. Good luck to you!

practice with a blitz ball

I'm going to be honest but a thread like this is one of the reasons this site exists.  A kid who wants to learn comes on here and he displays a high level of maturity with his posts.  I like reading these posts.

 

Now as for something you said you didn't know but when TPM was referring to if you threw a 12 - 6 or a 1 - 7 curve.  What she was asking is what type of break path does your curve take.  For example if you can picture the face of a clock (12 at top, 3 to the right, 6 at the bottom and 9 to the left) then you can start to picture the path of the break.  A 12 - 6 curve will start 12 and finish at the plate at the 6.  It's also described as "dropping off the table".  The ball is coming in straight and then the spin causes the ball to break straight down.

 

A 1 - 7 starts at the 1 and ends at the 7 so you're still getting the downward break but you get a little right to left action as well.

 

Since you're over the top pitcher then you'll probably be more of a 12 - 6 guy based on arm slot, grip and release action.  I like what someone said above about using your finger tips to open a door for the release action and grip.  Another way to describe this is it's like turning a key to start a vehicle but the key is coming out of a baseball.

 

Hope that helps and makes sense.  Keep posting to let us know how the progress goes.

I don't see how a 12-6 movement is considered a curve ball as curve in baseball seems to imply side to side motion.  

 

Isn't sinker a better term?

No, a sinker drops and moves horizontally. One is a breaking ball (the ball comes in on a plane and then "breaks' downward depending on the arm slot) and the other a FB pitch.

Some pitchers can throw a CB that breaks and then moves, but they are not sinkers.

Has a lot to do with the grips, obviously.

 

The 12-6 or the 1-7,2-8 break depends on the pitchers arm angle. That's why I asked where his arm slot was. It may just be, because of the slot he can't achieve the break he is expecting.  I am going to assume that his coach is working on a change up with him because it might just be a better pitch for him to use as a righty.  My son uses a slider and a sinker and has no curve ball, a pitcher doesn't need 4-5 pitches to be successful.  He needs a good 4 seamer (maybe a 2 seamer) and a good off speed. If you have a flat one directional FB you are in trouble for sure.   That's why everyone suggests that developing the FB earlyand learning how to use it is the key to success.

 

You do not have to throw a CB to be successful, especially for righties, his two seamer (he claims to have) might be better with sink or movement  and can achieve that same thing for him as a CB, plus he doesn't have to slow up on velo. Too early to use the slider. Adding the change is good. 

 

The pitcher wants the hitter to hit the sinker, it produces a hit needed for the DP or just a slow dead roller to the infield, whereas the CB could do that but would be a swing and miss pitch for most.

 

He shouldn't feel badly, on some days son's sinker doesn't sink! 

 

That's why I didn't get why anyone would tell a young pitcher, without ever seeing him pitch how to throw a pitch (on a message board), if that might not be the right pitch for him in the first place.

 

Blitz ball's would be good practice for learning the curveball?   I have seen them and they look SUPER fun for just some casual backyard baseball but never really thought of them as training aids.