Finger pressure

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Apr 15, 2016
19
1
So what is the proper way to use finger pressure, have read completely opposite ways of doing it. Finger pressure with index finger will make the ball cut in on a RHB and pressure with ring finger will cut out. Is this correct? Have also read the opposite where index finger pressure will make the ball cut out on a RHB. So guys which is it???
 

JAD

Feb 20, 2012
8,231
38
Georgia
Finger pressure helps a little, but not nearly as much as it does in baseball. Because of the size of the ball and the shorter pitching distance, the wrist is more involved in movement pitches.
 
Apr 15, 2016
19
1
Just wanting to get some clarification which way the pressure will make the ball move. We have her pitching a peel drop which is her fastball ala hillhouse so just want to make sure I have the finger pressure thing right so the ball will cut in or out a little.
 
Feb 17, 2014
7,152
113
Orlando, FL
Do not focus on increasing finger pressure, rather decrease it AND focus on the the placement of the now dominant fingers at release. If you have more pressure with the index and middle and keep them inside the ball it will cause it to tail into a RHB. This is what you get with a baseline IR/BI fastball. If the ring and pinky have more pressure and you get them outside the ball it will tail away from a RHB.
 
Jun 29, 2013
589
18
I was wondering how DD did that. She just started doing it this spring (tailing in to a RHB) and she has no idea. Still a lot of work to do to but at least now I know what' going on.
 
Apr 15, 2016
19
1
Excellent, that is what we have been doing but have read the opposite also so wanted to make sure I wasn’t messing her up
 
Feb 17, 2014
7,152
113
Orlando, FL
What many would describe as a "Drop Curve" is often nothing more than a good IR/BI Fast Ball with a good pull from the ring and pinky outside the ball. As soon as I get kids to master a baseline FB, I teach them to get the fingers outside the ball so they can tail it either way. Tailing a FB left or right into a tea cup along with a serviceable change up are all that is required for a pitcher to do quite well at all but the highest levels. If you cannot master those three you are probably wasting time attempting more advanced pitches.
 
Feb 10, 2017
18
1
Riseball ,
if possible could you post a picture of what you call outside the ball. Thanks in advance.

Sent from my SM-G955U using Tapatalk
 
Jun 18, 2012
3,183
48
Utah
This isn't precisely what riseball is talking about, but it's pretty close. This particular "drop-curve" was her off-speed pitch. Notice the pinky and ring finger are applying much more pressure here than would be the case with a regular fastball where the main fingers are the index and middle fingers.

 
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