How To Throw A Curveball With A Tennis Ball

The curveball is ane of the more unique pitches thrown in baseball. Sometimes referred to as the "Uncle Charlie," the curveball moves differently compared to other types of throws and has become a favorite alternative to normal pitches like a fastball or changeup.

To throw a curveball, first with a comfortable grip on the baseball. When releasing the pitch, snap your wrist downwardly with the thumb releasing from the brawl kickoff. You lot'll know you threw a skillful curveball when the ball drops before getting to the catcher.

Throwing the perfect curveball tin can exist difficult to chief, and so the below guide will walk you through various aspects of the pitch, including what makes the curveball move the manner it does and some drills you can practice to improve your throw. By the end of this article, you should be equipped with all the tips you demand to successfully pitch a curveball.

Throwing Curveballs vs. Traditional Pitches

Curveballs are unique pitches in that they are thrown completely differently than any other blazon of pitch:

Generally, throwing a baseball game involves placing the fingers on certain points of the ball, usually with the pitcher's fingers on the seams to manipulate how much move the ball volition have after information technology is released. Curveballs, on the other hand, require the pitcher to utilise their wrist to produce the curving consequence.
Curveballs tend to be slower pitches than traditional pitches, both by design and considering of physics. A slower throw by and large means more than motion, which is what you are looking for in curveballs.
Because a pitcher must snap their wrist and contort their arm to get the bend result, it is harder to throw the pitch with as much velocity as a traditional pitch.

The Science Behind Curveballs

When imagining a typical baseball being thrown, you'll likely film the ball moving in a consequent arc over the pitcher's mound and toward the catcher. Curveballs travel a little differently, with some dropping or looping anywhere from seven to 20 inches from the release indicate to the catcher's mitt.

While gravity may contribute to this sudden drop, there's a little more physics involved—specifically the Magnus Event.

The Magnus Effect

When throwing a fastball, the pitch has a large amount of backspin because of how the ball is released – it rolls off of the pitcher's fingers. While in the air, the brawl faces high-force per unit area zones in the air ahead and below.

According to the Babe Ruth League, "the baseball's seams broaden the ball's ability to develop a purlieus layer" (a layer of "fluid" in those high-pressure zones), which places a greater differential of pressure above and beneath information technology. This, plus gravity'southward effect as the ball rides on and into increased force per unit area, means the fastball will fall less often.

A curveball has the opposite result. This pitch is thrown with topspin instead of backspin considering the pitcher is snapping their wrist in a downward manner, which creates a higher force per unit area zone on the top of the ball. Thus, the pitch tends to move downward initially, and gravity helps push the brawl further down.

The consequence is a pitch that starts upward loftier and travels with a downward force from the point of release from the pitcher's mitt.

Changing Perception

In 1984, aeronautical engineer Ralph Lightfoot used current of air tunnels to exam and prove that a curveball actually curves. However, in that location may still be evidence that the curveball has a hidden advantage of optical illusion.

Essentially, information technology works like this: when an object is spinning and moving in the air and is viewed head-on by a person, the brain interprets the overall motility correctly. No matter which mode the object moves, you can translate the object's motility correctly.

But with a curveball, the pitch starts in the batter'south direct vision out of the pitcher's hand; equally it comes closer to the plate, though, the batter's peripheral vision and then registers the brawl.

In add-on to what the batter has seen out of their fundamental vision, the peripheral vision confuses the brain as to how much the ball is moving downwards. The images cross and distort what the mind thinks information technology has seen from 2 dissimilar angles. Therefore, the concoction thinks the breaking of the pitch is either bigger or smaller than it actually is, and they swing and miss.

Eye Depth

The reason why curveballs are devastating to batters is because of "eye depth," which is connected to the "optical illusion" they seem to produce.

In baseball, a bullpen tries to go along batters from guessing which pitch they will throw next. Then, in a pitching sequence going from a fastball that is directly and at the upper-chest level to a curveball that is much slower and moves like a loop from chest level downwards to the knees, the batter'south eyes can get confused.

This is "center depth" in action, where the batter sees the beginning pitch at one level and then the next seemingly at the aforementioned level earlier it drops.

Warming Up Before Throwing Curveballs

Before we get into how to throw a curveball, y'all must first warm up your body and arm.

Dynamic Stretching for Pitching

When it comes to stretching and warming up for any athletic event, the start rule is to perform dynamic stretching.

Dynamic stretching is when you lot stretch while in motion; this is the reverse of static stretching, in which you are stationary. Dynamic stretching is of import because it allows the muscles to warm up without feeling stiff. It besides prepares the torso for the activity that is about to happen.

Using Resistance Bands to Warm Up the Pitching Arm

The best piece of equipment to have when warming up your pitching arm is a resistance ring. These bands are groovy to ensure the arm muscles are warm and increase their ability to resist strength.

Long Tossing to Warm Upwards the Pitching Arm

Along with stretching and using resistance bands, be certain to do some calorie-free and long tosses before pitching. The light tossing is similar to stretching and the resistance bands in that they let the body to get set up for the activeness.

Long tossing is when a pitcher volition throw a ball as far every bit possible, from 1 side of the outfield to the other. This gets the shoulder warmed up, and the residual of the torso ready to become due to the broad range of motility involved.

When long tossing, be certain this is the last warm-up you lot do before pitching. The reason is so that you exercise not over-exert yourself before trying to get out and throw for a long duration.

How to Throw a Curveball

Once you sympathize the physics behind curveballs and what contributes to how they attain their notable "looping" event, you're ready to try throwing the pitch! Merely like any other pitch in baseball, yous'll demand to brand sure you lot have your grip downwards start.

Notation: There are different types of curveballs in baseball game (knuckle-bend, circumvolve bend, slurve, etc.), simply for the purposes of this commodity, we will focus on the standard curveball. Of course, one time you've mastered the basic curveball, you are encouraged to try to suit your technique to achieve these other variants of the pitch.

Gripping the Baseball for a Curveball

To get the best grip on the baseball game for a curveball throw, follow these steps:

Imagine you are grabbing a cup of h2o; with your dominant paw, hold the baseball in a similar manner, with the ball's seams facing vertically. Your pointer and eye fingers should be split beyond the outside seams facing away from your body.
Place your pollex on the lower part of the seam (closest to your torso), with your remaining two fingers tucked underneath.
Your hand should naturally form a "C" shape, with the baseball game's horseshoe stitch pointing toward the palm.

Note: Make sure your paw is comfortable when gripping the ball; if you feel like your fingers take to strain to achieve the correct placement from the steps above, yous may accommodate them as needed until you're more comfortable.

Throwing the Curveball

As mentioned earlier in this article, the process for throwing a curveball will be unlike than near whatsoever other pitch. With this throw, you'll desire to concentrate on your wrist rather than your fingers.

When throwing the curveball, start by following all the steps you usually would with a traditional pitch:

Your elbow should be positioned in the same way and follow the same motion as any other pitch. Your arm should form a 90-degree angle right before you release the brawl, with the elbow eventually turning toward the body.
As you throw the ball, squeeze your triceps to get the follow-through; this will also help convalesce any actress pressure on the shoulder and/or the elbow.

The only thing that will change with the curveball is how you release the ball:

Correct as y'all release, snap your wrist downward; this volition add pressure on the ball and strength it to drop during its arc.
The ball should tumble out of your hand, leaving your thumb starting time.
The ball should and then whorl off the index and center fingers, which are responsible for adding the final topspin outcome.

The more you lot snap your wrist, the more of an result it has on the ball, producing a greater downward motion. If yous want to confuse the batter fifty-fifty more, you tin slightly rotate your wrist equally you snap the pitch forrad; this will brand the ball driblet and move toward the side.

What Makes a Good Curveball?

The all-time curveballs are those that move in a clockwise 12 to vi or 1 to 7 motion. Ideally, curveballs should loop downward with picayune to no horizontal move.

Without these looping effects, the ball will more than likely exist hit by the batter since they'll exist able to meet information technology more than clearly. To attain these effects, here are a few things yous tin can do:

First, focus on the wrist snapping movement. As mentioned above, the greater of a snap you can put into the pitch, the more likely the ball will roll off your fingers and tumble toward the lower part of the batter'due south strike zone, as desired.
Some other technique you can try: when releasing the pitch, point your index finger toward where you want the brawl to go. In other words, when yous snap your wrist downwardly to throw the ball, the index finger should autumn forrard and toward the strike zone. If your finger is pointed up or directly toward the ground, your release indicate needs adjusting.
The terminal matter you tin can do to achieve a solid curveball is to lean heavily on the event the heart finger and pollex take on the baseball game; this is how yous can manipulate the number of spins your curveball has.

Curveball Drills for Practise

Once you take the basic curveball technique down, there are a few drills you tin do to amend your throws. The following exercises can aid you lot perfect your arm and wrist movement and ensure consistency with every pitch.

Beginner Drills for Curveballs

This showtime group of drills are designed for beginners and are great for young pitchers new to throwing curveballs.*

*Note: About doctors and baseball coaches agree that the curveball can have a devastating effect on a young pitcher'due south shoulder and arm because of the movement it takes to produce the pitch.

For this reason, practicing curveballs is not recommended until the bullpen's cartilage and tendons take fully developed (usually effectually the historic period of 13), and they have understood how the torso should properly move with pitches.

For a more than in-depth explanation, check out my commodity on what pitches should a 12-year-old throw .

Snap Drill for Curveballs

The snap drill is really simple, can be washed anywhere, and all you lot need is a baseball. Information technology'south great for beginners because information technology is intended to get a pitcher used to throwing a curveball pitch and snapping their wrist.

To commencement, class your grip on the baseball just similar you would for a curveball.
And so, snap the ball straight up into the air. It should have greater vertical rotation and less horizontal rotation. Emphasize the middle finger and the event it has on the pitch when you are doing this drill.

Start slow and perfect the spin; when you get that downward, slowly choice up the snapping action to become faster and faster to see how many rotations you lot tin become.

Soft Toss Drill for Curveballs

This next drill is intended to get someone thinking about how their upper body affects the pitch.

With a partner, stand at about 30-40 feet apart; you will exercise a soft toss back and forth. Each of y'all volition be on one articulatio genus, with the step leg (your left leg for right-handed pitchers, right leg for left-handed pitchers) in front.
Keep your pitching hand separated from your glove and grip the ball. Throw the pitch to your partner, actually focusing on the wrist action and how your upper body mechanics play a part in this pitch.

Be sure to mix in a fastball with every ready of five curveballs thrown to ensure you are non overworking your arm or elbow. Once you have done this drill, the side by side step of this drill will be done similarly:

Ready like the previous drill, you and a partner xxx-40 feet autonomously. Merely, instead of beingness down on 1 knee, yous are both going to exist standing with your stride leg out in front like you are pitching.
You can outset with the ball gripped in your glove this time, with your weight on your back leg, and throw the ball to your partner. For reference, you lot tin accept your partner squat like a catcher to simulate throwing on a mound.

Continue to this for a few rounds, alternating between you and your partner throwing curveballs and fastballs.

Avant-garde Curveball Drills

Once you lot take completed the start prepare of drills and repeated them until you have perfected your curveball, in that location are a few more drills y'all tin can practise to maintain your pitching move and make sure yous nevertheless throw the pitch correctly.

Pad Drill for Curveballs

This is a keen drill for warming up in a bullpen or on an off-twenty-four hour period for a pitcher because there is no bodily throwing involved. It requires a pad or a pillow and a partner to concur it.

First, have the person with the pad or pillow hold information technology up where the pitcher'due south release point is.
The pitcher will and so grip the baseball similar normal and and so stride through. As they get to the pad, karate chop the cushion.

The purpose of this drill is to ensure that the pitcher is turning in their hand and snapping their wrist at the release point. Striking the pad with the karate chop motion volition reinforce this in their mind because the brawl should be released at the point of impact.

Broomstick Curveball Drill

This drill aims to make certain the arm motility when throwing the curveball is consequent in every repetition.

To starting time, accept someone hold out a broomstick at just over shoulder height in forepart of the pitcher. The pitcher volition then brainstorm their throwing motion for their curveball, and when they go to the broomstick, they will release the ball with the snap of their wrist, with the person belongings the broomstick dropping it downward.
The pitcher should have their hand follow the broomstick downward to consummate the appropriate move.

One thing to go on an eye on is to ensure that the brawl is released before the hand gets to the broomstick to have the release signal be where it should be.

Throw the Bone Drill for Curveballs

This drill involves a footling DIY and requires you to attach two baseballs on either end of a rod, stick, dowl, etc. about 12 inches long. (Alternatively, you tin can purchase the contraption here.)

All the pitcher does is grip the bottom ball on the stick and throw it like their normal curveball. If the stick, or "os," moves end-over-end, the pitcher threw the pitch correctly and released it at the right time.

If the "bone" has any horizontal move or flies upwards, your release indicate is non where it should be.

Alternatively, you can tape two wiffleballs together to get the same issue.

Finishing the Pitch Drill

This final drill is a little complicated, simply it is very useful for those pitchers who are having trouble "finishing the pitch."

Finishing the pitch means the pitcher is non post-obit through with their arm as much as they should be. The follow-through is especially important for a curveball because a pitcher who does not terminate will not get the full downward tumbling motility they desire.

To set up this upwards, you volition demand a catcher and an L-shaped screen. The drill starts with the pitcher on the mound, with the catcher behind the plate; the L-shaped screen should exist 20 feet in front of the pitcher, at 10:00 for right-handed pitchers, 2:00 for left-handed pitchers.
The pitcher starts past throwing a fastball to the catcher. Then, the pitcher follows up with a curveball that is supposed to achieve the L-shaped screen.
Initially, the bullpen might not go to the screen, merely every bit they effort and achieve the screen, the drill should reinforce their finishing and begin to push their curveball towards information technology.

Other Uncomplicated Curveball Drills

In one case you become a good pitcher, you volition desire to continue to progress and perform drills to maintain and amend your pitching abilities. The following drills are uncomplicated ones that crave very trivial effort or textile:

Water Bottle Drill for Pitchers

The beginning drill you tin can do is the "h2o canteen drill." This drill requires only a water bottle, preferably empty.

It's some other corking substitute drill if you don't have the resources to create the tool for the "throw the os" exercise. Information technology is likewise platonic for younger pitchers because it reinforces what the curveball is supposed to wait like without the need for repeated arm usage.

Grip the top of the water bottle like you lot would a curveball and turn the bottle upside down.
Then, throw the bottle and snap your wrist similar you would throw a baseball.

The canteen will tumble in an arc-like fashion downwards, mimicking what the curveball should wait similar. Similarly to the "os throw" drill, if the bottle has whatever type of side-to-side movement or flyers upward instead, you'll demand to readjust your technique or release.

Wall Ball Drill for Pitchers

Some other unproblematic drill to do would be to play wall ball with a tennis ball. Go along to grip the tennis ball similar you would a baseball, and toss the ball up against the wall. Actually focus on your grip and your release bespeak to ensure they both stay the same every time you throw the pitch.

Final Tips for Mastering the Curveball

To improve your curveball, practice and repetition are required. You'll need to get the timing and your pitching move downwards to produce fantabulous curveballs every time. Even so, there are a few more than things you tin can do to continue improving these pitches:

The curveball is a complicated pitch to throw and tin take adverse impacts on a bullpen's shoulder, elbow, and arm. Considering of this, be sure you warm up properly before throwing every time to avoid strain.
As pitchers get tired, the amount of wrist activity they can produce can dramatically modify. Stamina affects how well the pitch is really thrown. With this in mind, brand certain you take breaks frequently betwixt drills and games.
- Endeavor and find the best rhythm and feel for throwing the curveball. Too much wrist snapping action can hurt a pitcher, while too piddling can affect the pitch itself. Plus, you want to throw the pitch effectively when yous are tired. In general, finding the right balance is of import.
When a pitcher throws a curveball, they tend to tilt their head over their front shoulder, leading to a more ineffective curveball. If this happens, the curveball does not take the tumbling down effect just rather a side-sweeping motion. Keep your head straight on when throwing the pitch.
Perfect the art of making the curveball wait like any other pitch to confuse the batter. This tin be challenging considering pitchers will need their wrist-snapping motion to exist consequent throughout a game. Yet, the easiest way to overcome this is to always think "fastball" until it'due south time to release the ball.
- Keeping the same mentality when you throwing a fastball or a curveball will ensure your throws appear more consistent with one another. Also, throw every pitch – regardless of the type – with as much integrity and force equally you can.

In Summary

A curveball is a cracking pitch to learn every bit a secondary throw. It can significantly affect how a batter sees the brawl coming out of the pitcher's paw, giving the pitcher a great advantage.

Be certain to do the numerous curveball drills mentioned in this commodity for beginners when you commencement start throwing the pitch. Building upwards grip, snapping motion, and arm motion required to throw an effective curveball is important in the long run. And remember: always warm upwardly properly and thoroughly to forestall injuries.

Source: https://baseballtrainingworld.com/a-guide-to-throwing-a-curveball/