How to Throw an Effective Slider

Don't ignore your basic mechanics just because you're learning a new pitch.

The slider provides a median between a fastball and a curveball; when thrown effectively, the slider will be thrown 5 to 10 m.p.h. below the speed of your fastball and will break 4 to 6 inches across the plate. Major League Baseball pitchers such as Steve Carlton, Bob Gibson, Randy Johnson, and Francisco Rodriguez have enjoyed success throwing the slider. You can learn to throw a slider with some practice and determination.

Things You'll Need

• Mound
• Baseballs
• Catcher

Instructions

1. Position yourself on the mound in a spot where you are comfortable. Make sure that you are warmed up and that your pitching mechanics are correct; otherwise the slider will not break the way it should.

2. Hold the ball so the laces run parallel to each other running away from you and facing upwards. Place your second and third fingers on the right lace so that your fingertips have a good traction on the ball.

3. Place your thumb directly underneath your second and third fingers so that the your hand is grasping only the right half of the ball when throwing the pitch.

4. Begin your wind-up; remember to take a long stride. Avoid releasing the ball with a completely vertical arm slot when throwing the slider; instead, you want to throw from a three-quarters arm slot so that the ball will be able to slide across the plate.

5. Move your arm forward through the zone while applying pressure to your second and third fingers. The ball should naturally roll out of your fingers, but you will need to continually push down on the seam with your second and third fingers until the pitch is released. Make sure not to release the ball later than you would release your fastball to give it ab extra bit of movement.

6. Follow through after the pitch with your body square to the plate ready to field the ball. The pitch should "slide" 4 to 6 inches across the plate from right to left.

Tips & Warnings

• Instructions are for a right-handed pitcher; reverse the directions for a southpaw.

• If the pitch doesn't move correctly the first time, keep practicing and adjusting the grip to fit your hands. If you practice the slider enough, it will eventually break the 4 to 6 inches that you want and add another level to your pitching arsenal.

• The slider should not be thrown by anyone under the age of 12 due to avoid injuring a developing arms.

References

• The Art and Science of Pitching; Tom House, Gary Heil, Steve Johnson
• Nolan Ryan's Pitcher's Bible: The Ultimate Guide to Power, Precision, and Long-Term Performance; Tom House, Jim Rosenthal, Nolan Ryan

Resources

• Read this Article in Spanish