Q&A for How to Throw a Slider

A slider is typically thrown with less speed than a fastball, but with greater speed than the pitcher's curveball.

Yes, any pitch can screw up your arm if not thrown correctly. I would just be careful and not use it as a primary pitch until high school or college to make sure you are throwing it correctly.

Don't worry about wrist motion; keep your wrist firm and worry about the angle of your arm. This will maximize bottom-left break if you are a right-handed pitcher. The side of your hand should always face the batter, and your wrist should always finish at your left hip (again, right-handed). Also, try to aim at the left shoulder of a right handed batter, as this is a good aiming spot for the break to be efficient. For more information, you can refer to this article: How to Throw a Curveball .

It depends on how well it's thrown. If you throw a slider correctly, it will be nearly impossible to hit it (assuming the batter isn't expecting the pitch).

Grip the ball like a 2 seam fastball and throw the ball at the 3 quarters arm slot. (You must throw all pitches at 3 quarters then, as to not tip your pitches). As you are releasing the ball, your fingers should move in towards your body.

if you want to throw a circle change, you make an okay sign with your thumb and index finger, and put that on the horseshoe of the ball. When you throw it, throw it like a normal fastball.

No, 11-year-olds should not be throwing anything but fastballs and change-ups. Try learning a cutter.

If you are under 13, you should be throwing nothing but fastballs or changeups. Your arm is not strong enough to handle the stresses of other breaking balls. Another reason for this is because many scouts will instantly cross your name off their lists if you're seen throwing junk, for fear of you causing arm damage.

It doesn't matter. Pitches like the sinker, slider, and curve ball are more effective at the 3 quarters arm slot and 3 o'clock arm slot.

Hold the ball on the left side (opposite of the slider). When you throw, snap your hand and wrist to the outside away from your body. This spins the ball and makes the outside breaking motion.

Throw it on an 0-2 count, because if you are a righty pitcher and there is a righty batter, you can make the ball curve left and cause them to chase it.

Kids should not throw a breaking ball unless it is a two seam fastball. Throwing curveballs and other breakers at so young an age can permanently damage your arm and shoulder.

No, because it could really hurt their arm and fingers. An 11 year old should stick to learning how to pitch a cutter.

No it will hurt your arm if you haven’t gone through puberty, due to a lack of muscle.

It won't mess up your hand but it might mess up your elbow. It is actually the least harmful out of the pitches. It is thrown like that because of the forced spin with your elbow but throw it too much and you will get something similar to tennis elbow.