pitch selection; serve variation
Sports term for the strategic mixing of different types of pitches (baseball) or serves (tennis, volleyball) to keep the opponent off balance.
The batter read the pitcher's pitch selection and got a solid hit.
His clever pitch selection baffled the batters.
In tennis, serve variation can sometimes decide the match.
When things got tight, he changed his pitch selection and struck the batter out.
His pitch selection is monotonous, so opponents quickly figure it out.
He worked out the pitch sequence with the catcher before the game began.