How to grip a Slider

Many people consider the slider to be the best pitch in baseball. Whether that is actually true or not will depend on each pitchers personal opinion. Regardless if you are like many you have been wondering how to grip and throw a slider since it is definitely an effect pitch for those who have mastered it.

A slider is currently the 3rd fastest pitch in baseball with the number 1 being the four-seam fastball and the 2nd being a two-seam fastball. It’s imperative that coaches, parents and pitchers learn a proper slider grip and how to correctly throw a slider to promote and help ensure arm health. A proper slider is gripped the same way a two-seam fastball is but held a bit more off center.

When you are throwing a slider attempt to manipulate your pitch to come off your index finger near your thumb and not your middle fingers or index fingers like you would with a two-seam fastball, because a 2 finger release will cause your pitch to balance out and reduce the spin that you are wanting. You will notice that pitchers who are good at slider pitches will grip the outer 3rd of the ball and bend their wrist slightly but not completely stiff to the hand they use to the throwing hand giving the thumb up side when releasing the pitch. The pitcher will be able to apply pressure on the outer half of the baseball with their index finger. This will help to avoid any possible twisting that may occur during the release of the ball.

When attempting to grip and throw a slide you want to hold it a bit off center and tilt your wrist but don’t stiffen before releasing it. This is the basics on gripping and throwing a slider. If you continue to practice you will be doing it with ease in no time.

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