How to Throw a Changeup With Heavy Sinking Action

Learn how to throw a changeup that sinks like crazy - complete with the best changeup grip for nearly all pitchers. Get a heavy, sinking change-up by using this "modern" grip. ⚾️ Order a Copy of my pitching book 👉 amzn.to/3EzMHBo
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0:00 Intro
1:06 Sink vs Run
1:55 How often to practice it
3:14 Changeup Grip
4:01 How to rolls off your fingers
5:15 Thumb and hand action
5:40 How it should spin
6:42 Why it's slower
8:40 Common problems
9:40 Longterm changeup goals
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[@DanBlewett]

Be sure to grab a copy of my NEW book for players 👉 geni.us/clean-your-cleats

[@goboston9368]

Great video. I couldn’t throw a change before and now my coach says I throw the best change on my team

[@DanBlewett]

That’s great! Glad it’s worked for you. Keep throwing it every day you play catch.

[@goboston9368]

Do you have any tips about throwing it any slower

[@Nick-bs1fc]

Idk really know you but great job

[@Brandonfrancoshorts]

Go Boston deeper In palm works for me

[@cadenthecuber3076]

How is your baseball career going now @Go Boston ?

[@Rich3523]

Excellent instruction. Thank you

[@lordsangone]

I finally understand fully how to throw a changeup. Thanx for the clear and thorough explanation. Keep rockin it steady.

[@juno4494]

This is good stuff--wish we had YT when I was pitching! I'd watch the pros, switching from Atlanta to Chicago to Baltimore (at inning breaks) to watch the pitching motions and pitch-by-pitch strategies. This grip here looks a lot like the palm ball we used to throw, except for the release index finger putting the down and in spin. I used to throw my change with my curve grip--using the same arm motion and speed as my fastball but letting the inside-out spin affect the speed. If I really wanted to change speeds drastically, I'd hold the ball super loose and release at the top of my motion. That was my favorite. What fun to have a guy break his wrists through a swing before the ball crossed the plate! Can't wait to try your grip.

[@hamedrubio]

Great vid!

[@jofar]

Helped a lot thank you very much :)

[@matthewhamilton283]

Nice video coach!

[@zachansen8293]

I know this was four years ago but I'd love to see some slow motion camera work on you throwing these pitches.

[@joemilito1513]

Hey I have been watching you videos , me and my son. He is 11 and he just learned how to curve a ball last night watching g your tips! Appreciate your content!

[@dblankenship88]

Excellent explanation of the grip, spin of the ball and angle of how the arm should be during and at the end of the pitch. Great video. 👍🏼

[@DanBlewett]

Thank you for watching!

[@glenndietz5005]

Would be great to see those pitches at the end of the video. THX for the nice content!

[@michaelbuell3711]

Never had a good change-up. Need to try this out, thanks!

[@yourtortise8997]

Thanks for the help just learned how to Pitch

[@DanBlewett]

Glad it helped!

[@jaywhiston4274]

Thanks!

[@gerrit2360]

Thank you i just tried the circle changeup and had alot problems to feel the ball right and got them to many times into the ground or sky ... i just threw my slider and curve because i could feel the release without losing the ball like the changeup :P

[@peter-ei8ce]

Thanks you the change up is the one pitch my boy struggles with and this great video you made should change that! He has a really good fastball, good curveball, & wicked slider but lacks the change up! Can’t wait to start working on it, thanks again Coach!!!

[@DanBlewett]

Glad it’s helped!

[@jerryjones188]

Hi Dan. Thanks for the tutorial. I am retired and thought learning how to grip and throw pitches would be a nice addition to my activities. MLB pitchers "stuff" has always amazed me. Heck, my LL opposing pitchers' stuff amazed me many moons ago. Your lesson was easy to follow and my adult son and I worked on it the first time today. Playing catch has always relaxed me, and I will work on one pitch at a time until I memorize it. I won't be having much velocity, but I'll have some fun. Great job.

[@DanBlewett]

Hey Jerry! Glad you enjoyed it. Biggest thing is watch the spin both to and from you; the sooner you become your own coach and adjust after bad ones, the faster the pitch develops

[@uncleruckus7492]

Everyone tells me not to start throwing curves and stuff but my coach in January came from China so he’s stuck here but he helped me throw a lot of things and I just met him

[@joeazzizzo725]

A true pitcher and sound baseball mind. Excellent all around 👍👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

[@DanBlewett]

Thanks 👍

[@tootallforbaseball]

Great video!

[@owenmiller8444]

Thanks, I have always been a good pitcher but I couldn’t get the change up figured out. Now I can throw it without a problem!

[@DanBlewett]

Pumped for you!

[@jaredv1033]

My change up was absolutely awful before and I used this in my game yesterday and it worked really well. I kept getting swing and misses on it. Thank you so much

[@cadenthecuber3076]

How is your baseball career going now?

[@bobbyclemente21]

I call it the Johan Santana change cause I don't remember anyone who gripped it that way previously. It's much better than a circle for control and for the ball to stay down in my experience.

[@raydeleon4465]

Great video

[@ricky5369]

I don't have a baseball anymore to practice this on but I can picture myself holding this and I can already tell this would be incredible comfortable to throw. Too bad I didn't know this when I played.

[@cwpo1973]

Dan, I've communicated with you before on Twitter and I love your stuff. Here's a recommendation/request for something that no one does when it comes to pitch grips- discuss finger length and hand size. It's HUGELY important when it comes to pitch grips. I'm finding that my merely average size hands and fingers had to grip pitches a certain way, but my son's quite long fingers demand his own approach. For example, my "circle change" was essentially a palmed ball, deep in my hand, while my son (12) can already grip it farther out on his fingers. As seen in this video, you have long fingers. Not everyone has that and that greatly impacts how and even whether they can successfully throw certain types of pitches.

[@DanBlewett]

I've worked with lots of kids over the years, and finger length hasn't posed any significant difficulty. It's certainly a difference from one person to the next, but each pitcher tinkers and figures it out.

[@pandamanytss9784]

thanks for the help i need more pitches bc all i throw is fastballs

[@nelsoncruz184]

Hello coach , could not find the person saying he was having a problem getting his two fingers to stay together on the change up .I had same problem as I’m a catcher and my fingers are a little mangled . Anyway I made up a drill for myself that I put a softball on the table and I hold the two fingers together to get the grip . Helping immensely. Lastly your front squat is a very impressive weight . Not much need for core work after that . Thanks for all the info .

[@brianchang29]

great video! i just joined a men's league last year (before last year, haven't played since my senior year in hs back in 2002). i have a 3 year old son who loves baseball. my work career goal is to hire enough people so i can be his little league coach when he turns 5 (i run a small business). right now, he says i work too much. anyway, your videos help demystify a lot of things.

[@DanBlewett]

Thanks! I’m glad they help. Good luck with the business.

[@7P9G]

I really enjoy ur videos

[@cobereeves3631]

Gonna try this out, never put it in my palm kinda laid on my fingers and I’m struggling to keep those fingers together bruh but decent change not a lot of movement tho but I can throw it pretty consistent rn but feel like I ain’t doing it right so gonna give this a try

[@nelsoncruz184]

I knw it’s high praise , coach Dan . But that was a really great tutorial on the change up . It almost looks like a palm ball except the fingers are slightly apart . I do believe the knowledge you share with me is to someday give to some young aspiring pitcher I meet in the future. I wish someone such as yourself were around in the mid sixties when I was pitching. Your cues for all the pitches are excellent by the way also.

[@DanBlewett]

Thanks Nelson! That means a lot. If you want alerts on all my new videos my email list is here: danblewett.com/dan-blewett-newsletter

[@TheOlivierroy]

Great teaching

[@DanBlewett]

Thank you! I appreciate you watching

[@andrewjones9634]

thank you

[@DanBlewett]

Welcome!

[@ballseeni]

My son's loving this changeup and is having alot of success with it.hes 9 ?,just want to make sure this type of changeup is safe to throw considering the slight inside motion he has to accomplish to get it.

[@evanturner9711]

I think Domingo German may use a similar grip

[@olivergardner3994]

I play in a 10-12 years old recreational league, and I am only allowed to throw fastballs and changeups. I had no clue on how to throw a changeup, and now I can throw a good, but not perfect changeup. I am going to keep practicing with this and see where it gets me.

[@DanBlewett]

That’s great - it takes a lot of time, so throw changeups every time you throw. A few thousand later and you’ll be in good shape!

[@okin6767]

That’s how I actually throw it

[@Chiesx7]

Good vídeo❤️

[@DanBlewett]

Thanks Julian! Appreciate you watching

[@jasonlopez8053]

I have actually learned to put pressure on the ball with my ring finger and my thumb

[@LuisMorales-yb5se]

Idk if this happened to y’all but I started throwing this pitch today and it already molded my fingers of the grip if you guys know how to take this off or is it bad?

[@wsmruk]

My son will be trying this grip. He has no control with the circle change and he uses one now which has alot of movement but has trouble reaching the plate. Let you know how it goes. Thanks for the video

[@DanBlewett]

Good luck!

[@badatspeedruns]

Can I see an example of this?

[@musclesanderson1606]

Good pitch Dan you blewett!!!

[@DanBlewett]

🙄

[@Lanse1984]

This is how I threw my changeup. And I always threw 2-1 in throwing sessions even playing catch. Easiest changeup to throw honestly and it works. Its devestating once you get it right

[@yuumain264]

My Dad taught me pitch grips when I was 12- I could only get a change-up and slider to work well, and shockingly consistently (and I used a 2 seam fastball). I wasn't great at long throws, but was at fast throws, so I usually started SS and would be the "save us" pitcher. This is almost exactly what he taught, though he said to "make a C for change-up" It was my only year because he was our assistant(?) coach, and it SUCKED.

[@aura809]

Thoughts on a splitter? It seems to generates a high swing and miss rate and when contact is made it is usually a grounder. I know people say its bad for the arm but I haven't seen much proof it being worse than throwing any other pitch.

[@DanBlewett]

its a 4th pitch for high level pitchers

[@Miku-fc1vy]

How do i know that im actually throwing it already?

[@nick-jb1ii]

Hey Dan, Awesome video. I have a question, because when I throw a change up I just plant it into the ground really hard. Doe you have any tips or advice. Thanks and have a nice one

[@adrianpena800]

Maybe release timing

[@IvnGs]

Thx Dan, my son is killing it on the mound but its thx to his fast ball and hitting his spots. But now that his playing travel ball, the kids are all over it second time around. This change up tutorial is exactly what I need to help him. But what are your thoughts on also teaching a slider and maybe a tutorial on that.

[@DanBlewett]

Yeah I’ll get one done one of these days! I’m currently in turkey teaching the national federation, so I’ll probably end up recording one here to help them as well.

[@joem8496]

hi! great video! how old should a pitcher be to learn this?

[@DanBlewett]

12 is a good age.

[@joem8496]

@@DanBlewett 1) awesome that you replied. thanks! 2) even better you settled an argument with my 9 yr old son!

[@mattkatemaybee1979]

Hi. In your 2 speed fastball video you mentioned it’s better for lower arm angle pitchers. What about the change-up? Can the change-up suit lower angle pitchers or is it more for over the top guys? Thanks.

[@DanBlewett]

changeup is for anyone but its easier to get heavy movement with a lower arm slot.

[@mattkatemaybee1979]

Thank you for answering. Is a change up appropriate for my 10 year old? He is a hard thrower but some more elite teams can catch up to his 4 seam. He is a low 3/4 arm slot.

[@DanBlewett]

yes

[@DougNielsen]

At what age would you recommend this pitch with the pronation of hand? Any exercises for arm care when throwing this way?

[@DanBlewett]

I have arm care videos on my channel. Your hand pronates on every single pitch, this isnt really changing much.

[@ernestoneill80]

Thank you very much sir now i can teach my grandson. where were you when i was 9 yrs old ????

[@DanBlewett]

Happy to help

[@dfwplanespotters_yt]

Hey Dan I still don't know to throw it. I know the grip but is there some way? Thanks!

[@DanBlewett]

Keep practicing and tinkering.

[@src0241]

Was messing with this pitch to show my players and wow it felt great. It actually feels like a modified circle change but, I like this grip better. Thanks coach for the tips with this important pitch.

[@jaylou3254]

Coach, what all pitches need to be thrown like dumping out a beer can? Sinker and change?

[@DanBlewett]

really only the change. Sinker you throw like a fastball, grip adds the spin.

[@ryansawyer5983]

Hey dan, I’ve been trying to throw this pitch for a little while now and I can’t figure it out. I’m losing 5% speed from the grip but I can’t seem to lose the other 5% with the pronation. I’m also not getting any movement. I’m pretty sure it’s the pronation that’s my problem but do you have any suggestions/ drills to fix the problem?

[@DanBlewett]

Slow it down and go back to basics. Could be your mechanics, it’s hard for me to know. I have a full changeup course that has 30 videos in it and the complete process, which would help, but without working with you it’s tough for me to troubleshoot.

[@ryansawyer5983]

Dan Blewett slowing it down and starting from the basics has already help! I’ve lost more speed and there’s a little bit of sink to the pitch now. I’ll keep playing around with it to try and get more movement. Also is that change up course on KZbin? Thanks for the reply

[@DanBlewett]

That’s great - lots of times you just have to back off and slowly ramp the speed back up to teach yourself. And unfortunately no - it’s one of my paid ones at courses.danblewett.com

[@dakotaculley1958]

ok i might sound really stupid asking this but what is the difference between a circle change and a regular changeup? Is it just a different grip with same action or is it different grip with different action?

[@DanBlewett]

There really isn’t a “regular” change. The circle change is pretty much the defaultn

[@jeremymejia4839]

I know this is a stupid question but I feel like for some reason I'm throwing a screwball by accident when I pronate and grip it.. How can I tell if I'm throwing a screwball or not because I do not want to mess up my arm.

[@DanBlewett]

Not a stupid question! Don’t think about pronating it when you throw it at distances past 50ft. Really pronating it hard at short distances is good for learning the hand motion, but once you’re pretty good at it, all you need to do is grip it and throw it like a fastball - the hand will do what you taught it to do on its own with you having to try to pronate it.

[@codyballin110]

Is this pitch safe to throw for younger ones 9 -11 ?Just concerned about the internal rotation that's needed to achieve run

[@DanBlewett]

The most unsafe pitch is the fastball, according to research. No pitch is safe.

[@viszn3729]

i’m 13 and i throw a fastball and a slurve with my fastball at 73-74mph and my slurve i throw around 60-63. i need another pitch such as a change up and this helped thanks a lot !

[@DanBlewett]

I’m glad!

[@madcapplayer602_5]

With a fortnite profile, I doubt you can reach 50mph

[@viszn3729]

MadCapPlayer602 _ honestly i hope you continue to doubt me :)) ima grind my butt off and when i get the call i’ve been drafted that’ll only be the start of my journey 🤩

[@DanBlewett]

Rex’s comment had nothing to do with you. Be polite. You were rude to him for no reason. It doesn’t matter how hard you work or how good you are, be better than that. His comment was to me, telling me about himself. There was nothing wrong with his comment and there’s no place for being rude on my channel.

[@_shl_6103]

MadCapPlayer602 _ you probably ride the bench on your little league team 😂

[@tago-onjrraulitollona3196]

Thank you

[@DanBlewett]

Glad it helped!

[@dripboiz906]

Could this pitch hurt my arm

[@travisvaquera2579]

Does the ball only change because of the grip or do you have to do something with your wrist

[@DanBlewett]

Did you watch the entire video?

[@travisvaquera2579]

@@DanBlewett yes sir . My sons coach just says its the way he holds the ball and not actually does anything with his wrist or his arm motion. You show to turn the wrist like pouring out a coke can. Just curious

[@DanBlewett]

You do need to turn your hand on the inside as I describe as youre learning the pitch - that's how you spin the ball properly. After you've done it for a long time, then it no longer has to be consciously done. Like riding a bike - teach the hand how to turn over the ball, then once it's learned it, you just throw it without thinking. So your coach is half-right.

[@josephhumphries5317]

You probably won’t see this but, I got the grip down but I can’t pronate enough to get it to move. Any advice?

[@DanBlewett]

Keep throwing it. If you haven’t thrown 1000 of these yet there’s not much to talk about. Throw it and tinker.

[@karazmattic]

How's your grip when the ball is wet since the 2 fingers are in between the seems

[@DanBlewett]

it's fine, and who pitches with wet baseballs anyway

[@karazmattic]

@@DanBlewett Haha. Men's league games don't have the best ball management. Thanks for the reply!

[@DanBlewett]

rain is not an excuse to change your game in any regard

[@wayz415]

Girls do love that Long stroke with the fingers

[@coltoncyoung]

Wouldn't spinning off the outside achieve the same spin needed to slow the ball and run it? Asking because my son naturally spins his this way.

[@DanBlewett]

no one does that, and no

[@coltoncyoung]

@@DanBlewett then what would cause the outside spin using this grip?

[@DanBlewett]

A local pitching coach would be able to help.

[@jajmonSW38]

Circle change is what I taught my pitchers (little league) We had a verbal signal to throw the change up.

[@DanBlewett]

don't use verbal signs. finger signs work at any age.

[@lucasgerkey4030]

What is the name of this changeup?

[@DanBlewett]

I call it the Hook ‘em Horns changeup or the Modern Changeup. I first wrote about it and shared the grip in my book back in 2013. I’m sure I’m not the first to use or teach it but I’m the first to share it in print or on the web like this (as far as I know). So I’m not sure if that makes me qualified to name it, but that’s what I call it.

[@MrCruelsafix]

what if your a lefty sidearmer and your two seamer runs and drops

[@DanBlewett]

?

[@MrCruelsafix]

@@DanBlewett would the changeup still be a good pitch for him?

[@DanBlewett]

yes

[@josephzds8210]

Thanks for the video, I needed a new pitch. These were my pitches BEFORE this vid and I am 10 years old 4SFB: 65-70 mph 2SFB:60-65 mph Slider: 55-60 mph Curveball 45-50 mph Slurve: 50-55 mph

[@KingLuke]

I don’t think a 10 year old should be throwing a slurve or curve

[@chrisriegz2779]

King Luke he’s just capping lmfao

[@KingLuke]

[HTR] Cryin I know lol

[@franticrng5435]

Circle change>>>>

[@SquishDaBug]

What’s it called?

[@DanBlewett]

whats what called?

[@SquishDaBug]

Dan Blewett haha sorry. I was asking what’s the name of that change up or is that the Dan Blewett Changeup?

[@DanBlewett]

I called it the modern changeup. Recently these type have been called "discoball changeups" because of their spin. In my book I called it the Hook em Horns changeup. The name isnt really mine to give, I'd say.

[@SquishDaBug]

Dan Blewett I love the channel and videos. I have a lot to learn so I can teach my boy. I definitely appreciate it

[@DanBlewett]

Appreciate it! Glad i've helped.

[@smf1280]

It seems like a good change up pitcher always has long fingers for the ball to roll off.

[@yk_Its_jax]

I cant throw it my index finger cant get out there without ridiculous pain im very fragile and not flexible at all 😂

[@jaylou3254]

I'm going to try this disco ball change up because I can't throw a circle change to save my life

[@angelgasca9247]

I’ve thrown no change ups

[@DanBlewett]

I wish you luck

[@bumdeben9366]

My fingers are too small oof

[@DanBlewett]

Not true. I’ve taught this to some really small kids. Just get your thumb on the bottom and you’ll be fine. Promise

[@bumdeben9366]

@@DanBlewett ok thanks

[@bumdeben9366]

I'm gonna try this fingering at practice tomorrow

[@akathermo4481]

ben that’s was she said

[@rchydrozz751]

This is the 4th video I have watched on how to throw a changup. All explain, but nobody has actually thrown the ball. Try throwing the ball. Throw a regular pitch, then a changup.

[@DanBlewett]

Thanks for the critical comment.

[@37harshdeepsingh30]

Is it a screwball?

[@brandonkabourek6301]

So I just turned 15 and I top out at 76 is that good?

[@DanBlewett]

Yeah it is

[@gunna3723]

Dude we don't care

[@hypersuto4241]

Not trying to say that your a slow pitcher bc your a pretty fast pitcher but my friends Reed and Zacho can throw 89s at age 11 your still an amazing fast pitcher keep it up!

[@Woodland_Warrior]

Hyper Suto i doubt that.

[@hypersuto4241]

xd Japoppin then you don't believe in things maybe your have to let go of that nerve keeping u frustrated

[@kundog9256]

im pretty sure that i am the only one who throws change ups and curve balls on my team

[@TrevorFujimotoDilger]

Isn’t this just a Vulcan change?

[@DanBlewett]

no, its very far from that grip

[@chartemant]

I can’t do it because I can’t separate my ring finger and my pinky

[@DanBlewett]

Practice wedging your fingers on the ball while you’re watching TV

[@CONFUZION.5367]

Theirs different ways then that here is a actual grip emoji i remembered👌but on the half circle side.

[@lan_aviation9559]

Now I will destroy my opponents

[@letshaveaquickfack318]

U look like Kyle shwarber☠️

[@DanBlewett]

I do!?! Never heard that

[@CJMichaelsOfficial]

Let’s have a quick fack that makes no sense at all Lmao

[@speedraser2605]

superstitious baseball?

[@DanBlewett]

?

[@37harshdeepsingh30]

Is it a screwball?

[@DanBlewett]

no but it has that kinda action