Expert: Jack Elliott - 9/4/2008

Question
i am currently 15 and am working on a slider. i can trow it pretty well but don't want to ruin my arm (i am probably gonna take a couple of sessions with a pitching coach. i question is how old do you think you should be before you start to learn breaking pitches. And if there is a difference in age for a curveball and slider (i heard somewhere that a slider is less stress on the arm). Thank you for all your help

Answer
Hi Brian,

This is a good question and, I am glad you asked it.  You are certainly thinking about the right things as a high school pitcher.

Generally speaking, I recommend that pitchers put off throwing breaking pitches until the summer before high school.  Since you are 15, you are at an age when you can throw these pitches.  Also, you are wise to be concerned about how these pitches will effect your arm.  

Throwing a slider is normally an easier throw to make than a curveball because there is less stress put on the wrist and it is closer to the fastball pitching motion.  Therefore, most pitchers find that a curveball puts more stress on their arm than a slider.  

The other piece of advice I would give is practice the different pitches  you like to throw, but always give your fastball the majority of the pitches.  I generally recommend that high school pitchers learn three pitches: a fastball, changeup and one breaking pitch.  The key is not to learn a bunch of different pitches, but to learn a few very well.  Practice and repetition on just three types of pitches can yield all kinds of benefits.  You will learn even simple adjustments on these grips can have dramatic effects on your pitching.  

Good luck to you in the upcoming season.

Best,
Jack Elliott
http://www.baseballtrainingtechniques.com