Change-Up Tips for Beginners
The second most important pitch in a pitcher’s arsenal is the change-up. The purpose of the change-up is to throw off the hitters timing. The batter doesn’t need to swing at a changeup for the pitcher to win the pitch. If a pitcher delivers a change-up that gets the hitter onto her front foot or leg, that’s just as good as swinging in my book.
Here are some key things to note about throwing a successful change-up. It only needs to be eight to ten miles per hour slower than the fastball. Anything faster than that is considered to be an off-speed and anything slower can be dangerous because it gives the hitter time to pick up on the slower pitch. Ever seen someone gets totally fooled by a change-up but still have time to re-load and smash it? A change-up also doesn’t need to be thrown as a perfect strike. Low change-ups prove to be more effective if the pitcher sells the pitch with her motion. Finally, the change-up should have an identical motion as the pitcher’s fastball. If a pitcher slows her body motion to slow down the pitch, the batter and everyone else watching will pick up on it.
New to the concept of the change-up? Welcome. We are going to introduce two basic change-up grips in this post. These two change-ups are on completely different sides of the spectrum from one another. They are the back-flip and the knuckle change-up.
Back-Flip Change-Up: First put a line over the four seams of the ball, just like the fastball. The back-flip will be gripped the same way as the fastball across the four seams or the “C”. Instead of the catcher seeing the ball at release point, they will now see the back of the pitcher’s hand. The speed is taken off this pitch due to the hand being turned around. Start with spins. Note that the pitcher should keep the wrist long and loose. After they have mastered the spins, move the pitcher back to a T drill. Make sure the catcher can see the ball. Have the pitcher “get turned” or into the back-flip position half way down the T drill on the back side of the pitch. The release point remains the same as the drill before. The pitcher will get the pitch to the catcher from the T drill by using more arm speed as she gets comfortable. After T’s do some arm circles to work on feeling the “turn” or where the arm get to the back-flip position before throwing full.
Knuckle Change-Up: Completely opposite from the back-flip. First get the fastball grip, then put the pointer finger knuckle down flat on the ball. Start with wrist drills. This time, the catcher will see the ball at release point. The goal of this pitch is for no spin to occur. The pitcher will push the tucked finger straight forward at release point, “popping or pushing” the ball towards the catcher. If the pitcher extends her hand straight out, like she is high fiving someone down low with the fingers pointing down, this will be a different finish than a fastball. If the fingers are ever pointed towards the sky during this pitch, chances are the pitcher snapped her wrist which will put a spin on the ball. After mastering no spin on the wrist drills, move back to a T and arm circles before experimenting with the full pitch.
There is always that chance that neither of these change-ups will work for the pitcher. That’s okay, but it’s important to start somewhere. Start your pitcher with both of these change-ups. It’s okay to practice two when they are first starting out but eventually, they will need to pick one and focus on that one. Even if these two grips don’t work for the pitcher, there is a good chance a pitching coach will be able to identify “natural” tendencies by experimenting with these two grips and they will be able to assign a new one that will fit that pitcher. Take time practicing the change-up. Remember it’s a completely new pitch and may take some time and there will be some frustrating moments. The change-up is the second most important pitch, after the fastball in a pitcher’s arsenal, remember that.
