3 Pitching Grips - How to throw the Sinker, Slider, and Forkball 

🔴 Did you like this video? If so, and you appreciate the work I put into making these videos, please SUBSCRIBE to the channel. This way you'll never miss a video that could be a game changer for you! Just click here👉 ru-vid.com

The pitches I can throw 1: miss the catcher and accidentally hit the neighbors car 2: oh crap

I almost 30 and play amuter ball. I did play D-1 college ball, but lost scholarship due to back surgery. But without that hardship i would have never came to the understand what pitching actually is. Pre-injury i threw 4 SFB- 95 mph 12-6 curve- 86 mph Change-up- 78mph (really poor one) The best change i had to make after my injury was my mindset and a understanding of my job. Were once i was a blow it pass 'em pitcher, now i couldnt last more than 2 innings throwing that hard. Now days i understand that a groundball/flyball out is just as effective as a K. I do it through movement, change of speed, and mind games!! After injury pitches 4 SFB- 88-90mph 2 seam- 85mph Cut FB- 85mph 12-6 curve- 80mph (best pitch) Hard slider- 80mph (best pitch) Cir change- 72 mph Ive learned that making the batter hit the ball 1in lower or higher still gets an out... Which is your only job as a pitcher, getting outs. W/L is more important than K's. Mindgames come from trust in your pitches. I will purposly put a FB at a batters chin so on that next curveball i throw (at batters head cause mine will drop below belt on inside part of plate for a strike) will usually make him fall off the plate for a good laugh. Not only am i in that batters head, but the guy on deck also fears looking like a fool. I write this cause i wish it was explained to me growing up... Mechanics = trust Trust = confidence Confidence = mental toughness No matter how good the batter is, if u can keep him guessing you will win that battle more times than not. DONT LET THEM MAKE YOU 2nd GUESS YOURSELF!!! If your own youtube looking for a trick to get you there faster... Sorry!! It takes time on a mound. Its a muscle memory game, in other words... PRACTICE!! Tip- never use a pitch your trying to learn in a game. It will end bad for you... I know, ive done it. Hope this helps some young players. If u take one thing from this it's mindset/exicution is more important than just knowing how to throw a pitch. P.S.- always be a student of the game. Always be trying to learn!! Im 30 and still constanly always trying to learn from any place i can! You can never know enough. YOU WILL ALWAYS LEARN MORE FROM FAILING THAN FROM ACHIVING. KEEP YOUR HEAD UP AND LEARN. DONT BEAT YOURSELF UP!!! I PROMISE YOU EVEN I AND MR. MADDON HAVE A FEW BALLS WE WISHED WE HAD BACK!! My 2015 stats: Starts- 6 W/L- 5-1* *= leauge leader IP- 37 2/3* CG- 4 * K's- 42 BB-11* It works!! Ill step off my soapbox now...

I can’t be the only one who thinks this guy sounds exactly like Chris Pratt

I’m 15 and I started watching baseball 2 years ago. I’ve been throwing pitches a lot and learning new ones. Although I had no future in baseball, because I think it’s too late to start, I would still want to get better

I love your videos. You're an excellent teacher. I wish I had access to your videos when I was still pitching. Nobody I ever worked with taught the sinker and slider as well as you do. Keep 'em coming!

Watched the sinker, threw it 10 times, and by the 10th time I was already getting sink. You are amazing!

0:45 = Sinker 4:48 = Slider 7:57 = Forkball

Hey John... It's good that you shared this video, I always love to see someone else's techniques. I'm not a pro player but played in the ARMED forces and in college. Over time I developed a mean cutter that rose up and glided out of the right handed batters range. (Am a lefty). I also managed a screw ball that no one ( pretty much) was able to hit. I developed that pitch naturally in the early 70s. Plus I had a fast ball that did not have to much speed but I guessed it raised up some at the end. I didn't use it that much as that one was hit more often than not... Through that I developed the other two... I wish I could still do it.... Keep up the good work and teach the kids....you will live forever through them. Blessings brother and thanks for the good shows you displayed... 😁

2 seam and then curve but you help me a lot and I've learned a lot of pitches from you

This is very helpful. I'm an outfielder wanting to experiment in pitching, I can only throw a fast ball and curve ball but watching this gets me excited to go practice some pitches. Thanks again.

I've used your vids to teach my stepson how to throw several different pitches. While he doesn't really enjoy pitching during a game, he has matered enough pitches to hold his own on the mound in relief. At 14, he has a wicked 12-6 curve. I have been trying to teach him the screwball, which I learned as a kid watching Fernando Valenzuela. That pitch he is having a hard time controlling though... Thanks for the the time and effort in putting these vids together. We truly appreciate it!

Awesome info, nice clarification of the pitches and what to expect. I play in an adult league and have found my fork ball to really keep batters guessing and leads to a lot of mishits. Thank you for your awesome vids!

I was a catcher. But i did pitch a couple games. 1.2seam 2.slurve (I griped liked a slider, but threw like a curve) 3. Cutter (just moved my index finger over to go flush with my middle finger on a 2seam grip. Had no idea it was a cutter at the time, but it worked.)

Glad I found this video. I subscribed quickly; you definitely know what you're talking about and it's cool to hear you talk the game. I only made it to D2 level and played bush league for several years after that. 19 years later I'm about to roll into a wood bat mens league. I'm pretty excited about playing again. Sidenote: I always loved throwing the splitter for bp but in game situations I sent it down range with a hope and a prayer. Ha! Awesome pitch when it works but when it doesn't it's a freakin' grapefruit. Looking forward to watching more of your videos brother.

Thanks for the instruction, we love your videos! Hope you have more on the way!

Thank you so much. I have learnt so many pitches from you. You are by far the best guide to pitching by far. Thanks a lot m8

Thanks I've always tried to learn how to throw a sinker, but up till now couldn't find any good info , I'm 57 I have been pitching in the msbl l for about 20 years Now that I'm older I've lost a few mph on my 2 seem that always just had natural movement and fell out of the zone to nighties. I'm a lefty, so I need a new pitch. I have always just lived on 3 pitches a fastball 4 or 2 seems depending whether I was ahead or not, a slurve because I never really threw hard enough to throw a slider maybe 85 at one time but I'm probably at about 70 or so now on a good day. more like 62 I always threw a back door curve and my out pitch was a screwball that my dad taught me when I was 19 or so. that pitch has always fooled right handers never threw it to lefties. I have always wanted to throw a sinker. I will work on throwing it like you show here. I need a new pitch. On my curve I didn't pronate when I throw it. I simply hold the baseball like you do on your slider and hold it like a football side to side and just throw it. That has saved my arm and for me gives it a late break. I am 1. fastball 4 or 2 up to me, 2 curve. 3 screwgy/change very effective. now maybe I can add a sinker. Thanks!

1. 4 seam fastball 2. Circle changeup 3. Curve ball 4. Slider 5. Knuckle ball 6. Splitter

Thanks ! I'll be teaching my nephew this... when the time comes... looking forward to it!

I love all your videos, thank you for all you do. I recently had elbow surgery and I now have trouble throwing overhand. Now I'm trying to come back as a sidearm pitcher. could you please make a video about sidearm pitching mechanics and grips if possible? Thank you!

Thank for the tips I'mma try to use these in my pitching when I play a baseball game in little leagues

thank you for making this video my slider and sinker wouldn't work right and i could never figure out why

Hey man your description in the pull down is great. That paragraph alone is good enough to teach. Would love to sit around and drink beer and talk baseball with you man. Thanks alot!

I was able to throw a slider and a sinker and made my pitching so much more affective thanks

1) 4 seam fb 2) 2 seam fb 3) change up 4) curveball 5) slider And I'm a left handed pitcher

1 two seam 2 gyro ball 3 slider 4 eephus 5 change up

Watched this video numerous times because of the valuable information. Thanks!

love ur videos.learning lots of coaching tips for pitchers. Thank you

I play highschool baseball and I am a sophomore I throw: 1) 4 SFB 2) 2 SFB 3) Circle Change 4) Curveball 5) Knuckleball

This is just a great treatment on the subject of these change ups. The split was a new one. Thankyou

I just started trying to learn to pitch because one of my daughters is taking up baseball. Looks like I'm gonna need to watch these videos a lot. Good job with the lessons, though. You really help me understand the pitches.

thanks !! from argentina!

1. Knuckleball 2. 4 seamer 3. Sinker 4. Forkball That’s from best to worst

Love all your videos! Taught my 11 year old how to throw your sinker and he has great control with it. He has a great fastball and also gets good drop with his circle change up. I want to teach him your slurve next, but I want to give him another year or two to mature a little more. I’d give anything for you to live close by and take him under your wing. He has very similar arm movement to yours.

woah this video helped me to improve my slider insane !! and i got a new pitch since i watched this video!! THXX

1.Fastball 2.Curveball 3.Changeup 4.Slider Are my pitches^

On my circle Change , when I release it , it comes off my ring finger. however, I have been told it should be coming off my pinki . Which one is right ?

Thanks Mark... I coach a small community team and when we join tournaments we always run into AAU teams playing below their division “ Trophy Hunters”...at 11u the kids want to throw curve balls.. 2&4 seam just don’t cut it anymore so I’m using the cutter, slider, sinker and change up

fastball and knuckleball, I wasn't much of a pitcher. Started out as a 2b/Ss and leadoff hitter, as I got older and bigger became a 3b who hit 3rd or 5th. Played in college for 2 seasons then joined army and played a little sandlot in Germany against other army teams . Thanks for video, trying to teach my 16 year old son new pitches before American Legion season starts

1: 4 seam 2: 2 seam 3: curve 4: circle change 5: sinker

Brutal!!!!!!

This is helpful this help me to do my slider cause i forgot how to pitch it and im out of cotrol and i try it and it works thank yoi so much

I like this guy, he knows his stuff. I played ball for 16 years,, and this dude knows what he is talking about. Really enjoyed the vid. God Bless You Brother!

Isn't it weird that his last name is Madden yet he loves baseball?

LOL Nice Tutorial Thanks!! But i love when you say *depth*

You really help me work on my slider you are awesome

When I pitched (which wasn't often) I used a 4 seam, a slider, a 12-6 and a cutter mainly. It was a LONG time ago, but this vid brought back some memories. :) Nice stuff man.

Plus, in a game there was a submariner that looked like his curve could break over a foot

1.4seam/90mph 2.knuckle ball 70mph 3.changeup 85 mph 4. 12-6 curve ball/67mph

nice video it really help thanks by the way love the way you name those baseballs💯

thank you so much!!!! With these pitches ive thrown two strait complete games (2-0) and one of them was a perfect game!!!!!!!!! The slider struck out almost everyone i faced

NASTY!!!

The pitches I can throw: 1. 4 seam 2. Change up 3. Knuckle ball 4. Sinker

the slider grip/wrist action is exactly how i throw my curve down to the fingers!! i guess ive been throwing a slider

Excellent, exactly what I try to teach. Great job.

I had my baseball game and I beat them to 13-0 and we won

my two seam fastball goes towards my opposite arm

I pitched back in the 80's (Not in the Majors). My best pitch was the fork ball or sinker. Those were the pitches I throw most of the time. My next best pitch was a curve,then the knuckle ball. The pitch I seldom used was slider.

6'5 Lefty from Wisconsin 18yrs old 1. Circle change: cirlce change grips that i throw with the circle on top the entire time no pronation, just straight off the circle. Has some cut but drop out. 2. 4-seam early in the count and 2-seam down in away late in the count. 3. Curve: recently figured out how to throw still devolping but works.

The sinker was really effective! I made my friend really mad 😂😂😂😂😂

1,000th Comment 👌🏼🔥

Awesome,my son pitches for his high school team and wants to learn a few more pitches for this upcoming season..thx for tips!

Great video my 10 year old has a great arm so we are trying to learn some new pitches. He has the same arm angle as you. So right now he throws a 2 seam and working on a change but that sinker could well be a great out pitch for him. Thanks for the info

I can throw a slider, curve/ breaking ball, I have 3 versions , both change- ups, a knuckle, sinker and lastly a fastball 2 and 4 seam. I am only 13 is it good that I know how to throw all of these. My most accurate is the 2 seam and my curve.

Hey I'm eleven years old and I throw a sinker in the majors because I am in the majors

This was really helpful, and really clear. Thanks, going to try it out.

Nice video man, well explained

Pitches I can throw dirt ball bounces 2 feet in front of the plate really fucks up batters.

You saved me my boyfriend plays

1. Fastball 2. Cutter 3. Circle change 4. Splitter 5. Sinker 6. Curveball 7. Knuckleball and I'm working on a slider. Haven't used it in a game yet but I have thrown everything else. Btw I'm loving the forkball idea!

Teaching my 9 year old to pitch now. Thanks for the tips we will try these next time we practice.

I tried to throw a forkball, it never made it to the plate

I’m 11. If I can lean to throw these... omg I this is going to be *NASTY*

Thanks man this really helpful

im on my grandmas computer i am 12 years old and every since i saw this video i learned how to throw forkball slider sinker and all kinds of other balls thank you so much

really well presented and useful.

Great info! Every second was worth the Like. Is the Forkball pitch supposed to look like a fastball but end up like a dirt ball.

Loved your video! Thank you!

Thx that lesson helped a lot I'm on a phantom team and all I knew how to throw was a fast ball I'm trying to learn all three of these pitches im one of the 3 main pitchers on the team so I need to learn new pitches

Thanks, for these very useful tips greetings from Margarita island, Venezuela.

I through forkball in high school.. i loved the pitch..

Love your tutorials

So glad I found this channel. I'm a much better little league parent now.

Enjoyed it. Learned something. Thanks from Texas.

My most favorite sport is baseball so that guide helps cuz I wanna throw different pitches

Hwy John, I've learned a lot from your videos and I'm starting to throw a pretty good slider so far. the only question I have for you is: how do I get my slider to be more accurate? Most of the time when I throw it, it ends up way outside but it breaks great. So if you could tell me how to improve, that'd be great. Thanks!

I suck at pitching but I pitch mostly to 10 to 12 year olds, so they think I'm great. I like the knuckleball, 4 seamer, changeup, cutter. Great vid! Checking out your playlist. Thanks for posting.

hey man, good vid. looked up your career, too bad you didn't get one of those big league contracts, would have been nice right? good luck with the book, excellent idea.

Man you helpt me so much my sinker is so much better now thank you

I developed the screw ball in the 70s without knowing what it was. It came natural to me when I was playing in the military at 19 year old. Then I did a nasty cutter. I'm left handed and the cutter rised to my left. My fast Ball kind of sank because I couldn't get it over 85mph. I'm mad because I got car jacked by some CRIMINALS and got shot in my Left arm. Now I can't pitch at all. But I'm reliving my era by watching videos of pitcher like you... Thank you brother, you're awesome 😊😊

1.Fastball 2.Change up 3. Curveball I don't the ought curveballs that much but I'm going to try those pitches u showed at my all-star game tomorrow

Glad I just came across your channel, gotta sub right away

Very well put great job explaining why the pitches do what they do if you get a good understanding of the physics you can throw 3 different pitches with a 2 seam grip I'm a righty and my best pitch was a sinker to other righties inside and more of a 2 seam/running fastball more lateral movement away to lefties (same grip) never needed a 4 seam(not that I didn't throw on occasion) complimented by my circle change looks and moves just like the sinker 10 mph slower it got more swing and misses while the sinker provoked ground balls. A hard knuckle curve with nearly vertical or 12-6 plane of break since I throw high 3/4 for my arm slot and last a cut fastball that I would throw harder than my sinker/2seam mostly but on occasion tighten my grip and snap my wrist a bit for mor lateral movement like a slider. In my opinion sliders an cutter's are siblings just like 2 seam and sinkers. Natural release point grips hand size and arm slots makes everyone's unique . I played around with how tight I grip my curve and throw a big loopy slow Barry Zito curve too. With practice you throw your usual pitches with a little more or less pressure or more follow through your 3 pitches can look like 10. Very simple and effective approach especially if yours going through the lineup for the 2nd or 3rd time since I didn't throw especially hard at all I had to keep the hitters unbalanced another way and sinkers get the quick groundball out to keep pitch count low and batters from seeing all your tools and learning tendencies. Attack the zone down and enjoy those 3 pitch innings and recover base hits with double plays strikeouts are overrated and inflate your pitch count

Great Video! Very informative. I have a question for you coach. I'm 48 and played in a rec league last year. First time I played in twenty five years. During the off season I decided to work on a new pitch since my fastball has lost a bit of speed over the years. I am now able to throw a fairly nasty forkball. As you stated in the video it is difficult to control. For some reason I can only get it to act like a knuckleball when I slow my arm down almost to the point of lobbing it. Was this your experience? I'm a lefty by the way and also throw a 12-6 curve and a four seam fastball. I appreciate any advice. In particular how you would approach the lineup with those three pitches. Thanks.

You helped me a lot man, I have long fingers and needed help with pitches this was the only video that helped. Thanks. I'll give a shoutout to you on my channel :)

Nice, i could learn many things here ^^

Thank you I have always arm slot two and I like the slider thank u very much

Thx this helped me out a lot I’m in little league and I’m trying out to pitch balls that’s the batters can’t hit but will still count as a strike

my top pitches from best to worst is 1. 4-seam fastball 2. Knuckle curve.3. Circle Change