Curveballs can be versatile pitches, but it’s important to decide whether you want to land it for a strike or use it as a putaway pitch. As players advance, perfecting one or the other becomes crucial. Depth is what mainly distinguishes the curveball from a slider. Velocity is also extremely important, as higher velocity leads to better whiff rates.
The tunneling profile determines whether you’re landing the curveball or getting chases. A hard curveball with sharp, late action is harder to control but gets more chases. A good curveball is sharp, hard, doesn’t pop out of your hand, and can still be planted in the zone.
Key Takeaways for Curveball Depth and Velocity
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Focus on getting your middle finger to the front of the ball to generate top spin.
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Aim for a vertical break below -5 or -6.
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Strive to maximize velocity while maintaining negative vertical break.
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Use an efficient spike grip, dominating the ball with your middle finger and thumb, while keeping the pointer finger pressure-free.
To create good depth on a curveball, dominate the ball with your middle finger and thumb, ensuring the pointer finger has no emphasis. Experiment with different horseshoe grips and focus on comfort to increase velocity. Practice this pitch in catch play to perfect it before taking it to the mound.
Mastering the curveball requires finding a unique way to get your middle finger to the front of the ball, creating depth with good velocity.
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