Throwing a curveball is an essential skill for any aspiring baseball pitcher. It is a pitch that breaks sharply downward as it approaches the batter, making it difficult to hit. Curveballs are thrown with a variety of different grips and arm actions, but the basic principles are the same.
To throw a curveball, the pitcher must first grip the ball with their index and middle fingers on the top of the ball and their thumb on the bottom. The pitcher then brings their hand back in a circular motion, keeping their wrist cocked. As the pitcher releases the ball, they snap their wrist forward and pronate their forearm, causing the ball to spin. The Magnus effect causes the spinning ball to curve downward as it travels through the air.
