One of the most difficult pitches to hit in baseball is a slider, especially a slider on the outside corner of home plate. Being able to “hit or take,” can “make or break” your career.

Late Breaking and Backdoor Sliders

• Due to the angle, right-handed hitters are particularly susceptible to a right-handed pitcher who throws sliders. Likewise, left-handed hitters face tremendous difficulties when competing against a left-handed pitcher who throws sliders.
• Then, there is the ‘death pitch,’ also known as the “backdoor slider,” seen with a right-handed hitter facing a left-handed pitcher, or a left-handed hitter facing a right-handed pitcher.

Two-Strike Slider Drill

Slider Front Toss Drill is a spin-off from Standard Front Toss. Except, in this case, the pitching screen is placed 3-5 feet to the right or left of center from home plate, creating the angle on the delivery and imitating the trajectory seen with a slider on the outside of the plate.

• Spot the ball on the outside edge of home plate.
• The coach can vary his speed and location.
• Additionally, toss a few inches off the outside of the plate, so the hitter can recognize when he needs to take; training pitch recognition.
• The ball cuts across the outside edge of home plate, forcing you to stay closed and developing your opposite field hitting approach.
• Track the ball and keep your head down at contact.
• “Stay in your legs” and don’t lunge at the ball; stay back and extend with your arms.
• For extreme low and away locations, release the top-hand as you feel pressure on the back shoulder.