how do you throw a slider without twisting your wrist. also i dont know how to" throw it like a football" whatever that means. Help would be appreciated.
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TrickDaddy, I doubt very many posters will chime in on this one. I for one would never post any instructions etc. on the slider because it has the potential to ruin arms if thrown or taught improperly. However, you never know. Maybe some will.
quote:Originally posted by TrickDaddy:
how do you throw a slider without twisting your wrist. also i dont know how to" throw it like a football" whatever that means. Help would be appreciated.
You can't.
Stay away from the slider, it is the hardest pitch on the elbow.
Like B25 said.....big potential for arm problems. Try to think more cut fastball and less breaking ball. We do not look for a lot of movement out of our slider. We look for a hard, late break.
if you let the grip do the work and throw it right it will not hurt your arm. if you try to make it happen with your wrist, elbow, etc. then it will lead to potential arm trouble. if you dont have anybody to teach you the proper grip i would stick with the cutter. its a good alternative and you get basically the same result.
http://www.thecompletepitcher.com has pictures of the grip and explanation on how to throw slider. i wouldnt do this without a good pitching coach supervising the learning because of the tendency to not trust the grip and trying to make the pitch happen with arm action. when thrown properly every pitch has fastball arm action - no twisting, pulling, snapping, etc.
http://www.thecompletepitcher.com has pictures of the grip and explanation on how to throw slider. i wouldnt do this without a good pitching coach supervising the learning because of the tendency to not trust the grip and trying to make the pitch happen with arm action. when thrown properly every pitch has fastball arm action - no twisting, pulling, snapping, etc.
I have a question for you TrickDaddy. Do you throw what you would consider a decent curve? If you don't, focus on that first. It is easier on the arm and it also is not as apt to be hit as hard if you make a mistake with it. A hanging or spinning slider left up usually travels a long way because it is thrown hard enough to not upset the hitter's timing. If you have to learn the slider find a pitching coach that will teach you to throw through the ball. The break will be smaller but it will be much more consistent than a slider that is taught using a c-cut or thumb up release. Whatever you decide use your best judgement.
coacho has a good point. i know leo mazzone doesnt differentiate. he says just have a quality breaking pitch.
I am FAR from an expert, but from personal experience:
When Junior was 15, he took lessons from a former D1 pitcher [about 30 YO]. Had no real breaking ball, although he fooled around some with the so-called "football slider". Coach said, "based on your arm angle/release point, etc, I think you should throw a slider instead of a curve - it will be easier on your arm [because of similar FB delivery], and not as detectable upon delivery [i.e. virtually same motion/delivery as FB]. That was 3 years ago; Jr still doesn't throw the deuce and has NEVER had a sore arm, and throws his Changeup with the same delivery too.
I guess if you get the proper instruction FOR ALL OF YOUR PITCHES and do your arm exercises/long toss/rice bucket/tubes, etc you will put yourself in the best proper position to throw effectively, and not get a bum wing.
IMHO
PS - CoachB25 is right on the money - there is too much to try to interpret from the written word on this site, and if it is like every other post on the site, you will get about 10 different opinions, ALL of which are ABSOLUTELY CORRECT!!
Get some one to SHOW you the proper way, have havve periodic "tuneups".
When Junior was 15, he took lessons from a former D1 pitcher [about 30 YO]. Had no real breaking ball, although he fooled around some with the so-called "football slider". Coach said, "based on your arm angle/release point, etc, I think you should throw a slider instead of a curve - it will be easier on your arm [because of similar FB delivery], and not as detectable upon delivery [i.e. virtually same motion/delivery as FB]. That was 3 years ago; Jr still doesn't throw the deuce and has NEVER had a sore arm, and throws his Changeup with the same delivery too.
I guess if you get the proper instruction FOR ALL OF YOUR PITCHES and do your arm exercises/long toss/rice bucket/tubes, etc you will put yourself in the best proper position to throw effectively, and not get a bum wing.
IMHO
PS - CoachB25 is right on the money - there is too much to try to interpret from the written word on this site, and if it is like every other post on the site, you will get about 10 different opinions, ALL of which are ABSOLUTELY CORRECT!!
Get some one to SHOW you the proper way, have havve periodic "tuneups".
D8 is right - more cut fastball, fingers a bit off center. Arms are better off for it, and you still get the movement you need. Seems to work for Mariano Rivera...he's had a pretty decent career!!!!
