Learning how to throw an effective changeup can be a game-changer for young pitchers. A good changeup can keep hitters off-balance and generate weak contact and swing-and-misses. As a youth coach with years of experience, I’m excited to share my top tips for helping young players develop this important pitch.

The changeup is an off-speed pitch that can be highly effective when thrown with proper technique and after establishing fastball command. By varying speeds, a well-executed changeup can disrupt a hitter’s timing.

Grip

The first key to throwing a changeup is getting the right grip. The most common changeup grip is the circle change, where the pitcher makes a circle with the index finger and thumb around the narrow part of the seams. The pitch should be thrown with the same arm motion as a fastball, so it’s crucial to use a grip that feels natural.

When first learning the changeup, don’t worry about throwing the pitch with maximum velocity difference from the fastball. Focus on maintaining consistent arm speed while taking some velocity off with the grip. A 7-10 mph difference is a good goal at first. Work on increasing the differential as you get more comfortable with the pitch.

Arm Action

The arm action on a changeup should match the delivery of the fastball. Young pitchers often make the mistake of slowing down their arm, which leads to hangs and tees up the pitch to get hit hard.

Use the same smooth, loose arm action that you would on a fastball. Maintain momentum as you deliver the pitch. The arm speed will stay quick while the altered grip slows down the exit velocity off the hand.

During catch play and side sessions, throw changeups intermixed with fastballs to reinforce duplicating the arm action between the two pitches. With repetition, it will start to feel natural.

Release Point

A consistent release point is vital for command of the changeup. We want hitters struggling to detect any difference between the fastball and changeup except for the speed.

Work on hitting your spots and repeating your fastball release point when you throw the changeup. Avoid dropping your arm angle or sliding your release to the side, which can cause the pitch to miss high or wide.

Use a four-seam fastball grip when practicing the changeup to ingrain a consistent release point. Mix in two-seamers or sinkers periodically to get a feel for throwing the change off multiple fastball grips.

Sit Back and Let the Grip Work

The biggest mistake young pitchers make is trying to manipulate or guide the changeup too much with the fingers. Trust the circle change grip to provide the appropriate speed differential versus your fastball.

Focus on letting the ball come off your fingertips smoothly without extra effort. Sitting back and letting the grip do the work allows the arm to fire naturally like the fastball delivery.

When thrown properly, the changeup will have nice fading action away from opposite-handed batters with a 7-10 mph drop in velocity from your fastball.

Location is Key

Spotting up the changeup is crucial for success with the pitch. Location down and outside to opposite-handed hitters is ideal. This area turns even good changeups into swing-and-misses or weak groundball contact.

Up in the zone, the changeup will get hit hard, so focus on working down. Occasional pitches up above the hands can be effective to upset timing, but avoid center-cut mistakes up in the zone.

Use the catcher’s glove as a target and visualize throwing through the bottom of the zone. Work the outside edge against opposite-handed batters and backdoor to same-handed hitters.

Sell It With the Fastball

The changeup works so well off an established fastball. Hitters gear up for the hard stuff, putting them out in front when you take speed off. Mixing ratios vary by pitcher, but around 20-30% changeups is a good guideline once the pitch develops.

Early in outings or when behind in counts is when the changeup can be especially effective. Hitters look dead-red in those counts, increasing the awkward swings or weak contact on a well-located change.

Burying too many will allow hitters to stop looking for the fastball. Keep them honest by mixing in your heater and using it to get ahead. The changeup generates lots of whiffs when paired strategically with a lively fastball.

Develop Touch and Feel

Throwing consistent changeups requires feel for the pitch. Gripping across the seams helps take some velocity off, but each pitcher needs to figure out their ideal pressure and fingertip placement.

I advise spending time finding the sweet spot in bullpens and long toss where you get maximum fade and velocity separation without manipulating the pitch. Use lightly-weighted balls initially if needed to learn the right touch.

As you develop feel for the changeup, work different shapes like worm burners and faders above the knees. Changing speeds, planes, and locations will enhance effectiveness and keep hitters guessing.

Make It Look the Same

Deception is a big key to maximizing the changeup. The pitch should look like a fastball coming out of the hand, with the slowing of velocity only apparent once it nears the plate.

Maintaining the same arm slot and release point helps sell the pitch as a heater initially. A free and easy delivery with the same smooth tempo disguises the changeup well.

Varying the look when you grip the pitch can also help. Quickly dropping the fingers below the ball when you come set blends the grips together and hides when a changeup is coming.

Confidence is Key

Having conviction in your changeup is critical for success with the pitch. You have to trust the grip and consistent arm action to provide results. Throw each one with purpose and commitment.

Early on, focus on changeups in favorable counts and locations to build confidence. Seek soft contact and awkward swings to reinforce that the pitch is working.

As you gain trust in the changeup, start expanding uses to put hitters away or induce weak contact in any count. You know you have a good one when you throw it with total confidence in any situation.

Don’t Overuse It

The changeup loses effectiveness if used too liberally. Even a excellent changeup will get hit if overexposed. Use it strategically off the fastball, not as primary pitch.

Around 20-30% usage against righties and 10-15% vs lefties is ideal for most pitchers once the changeup has developed. Rookies should start lower until command and feel improve.

Monitor swings and results to avoid patterns that will allow hitters to look changeup. Keep them off balance by maintaining the fastball mix and trusting your change in select counts.

Adjust for Fastball Variance

The separation versus the fastball is what generates weak swings on a changeup. So you need to adjust the change grip and touch based on whether you’re pairing it with your four-seamer or two-seamer/sinker.

Use a slightly firmer changeup grip when throwing it off a sinker to account for the added run. This helps maintain the 7-10 mph velocity difference to consistently upset timing.

Vary speeds, shapes and locations to optimize each pairing. For example, sinker in and change down and away works well. Or four-seamer up and change below the zone.

Arm Care is Crucial

Because the changeup requires similar arm speed to the fastball, it can be taxing on the arm, especially for younger pitchers. Building up endurance for the pitch gradually is important.

Monitor for any arm soreness, especially around the elbow and forearm, and back off changeup volume if needed. Proper rest between outings allows the arm to recover after the exertion of power changeups.

Long toss and forearm bands can help condition the arm for the strain created by the changeup. Also be diligent with arm care routines before and after pitching.

Conclusion

Mastering the changeup can be transformative for a pitcher, producing weak contact and whiffs versus batters on both sides of the plate. But it takes patience and consistency to harness the pitch fully.

With the proper grip, arm action, release and feel, young pitchers can develop a nasty changeup. Maintaining fastball arm speed while taking velocity off through the fingers is the central challenge. Pitchers also need to learn to spot the changeup strategically while mixing the fastball effectively.

It often takes months or years of repetition before the changeup becomes a true weapon. But refining this offspeed pitch is worth the investment for aspiring hurlers. Comfort with both the physical mechanics and mental approach are prerequisites for excelling with the changeup. Players who make this commitment will gain a go-to pitch that can neutralize hitters at any level.

The changeup journey will have ups and downs. But players who stick with it and follow the tips outlined above can master one of pitching’s greatest weapons. With a “feel” pitch in their arsenal that disrupts timing and induces weak contact, pitchers gain a major advantage on the mound that will serve them well from youth leagues through adulthood.

Frequently Asked Questions

What age should pitchers start throwing a changeup?

I recommend introducing the changeup around age 11-12 at the earliest. Pitchers need at least a year or two of throwing experience before adding the intricacies of an offspeed pitch. Proper mechanics on the fastball and control must come first.

How can I get more velocity difference between fastball and changeup?

Using the circle change grip across the seams helps take velocity off. But each pitcher must fine-tune the pressure and fingertip placement to maximize separation from the fastball. Using the wrist to deliver extra velocity on the fastball can also enhance the differential.

Why is my changeup staying up in the zone?

Consistently leaving the changeup elevated is often due to slowing the arm or dropping the arm slot. Maintain fastball arm speed and release point. Let the altered grip create the slower velocity rather than changing your delivery. Staying closed with the shoulders can also improve consistency down in the zone.

Should I throw the changeup to left-handed and right-handed hitters?

Yes, the changeup works well as a strikeout pitch to hitters on both sides when located down and away from their barrel. Reduce usage vs lefties to around 10-15% of pitches once the changeup develops. Vary shapes and locations depending on the hitter.

How do I maintain confidence when struggling with the changeup?

First, simplify and focus only on the grip and consistent arm speed. Use the pitch in counts and locations where you can succeed early on. Seek soft contact and awkward swings to build trust. Accept that developing an excellent changeup takes time and persistence. Embrace small improvements on the journey.