Community | Front Foot Batting - Around the Clock Game (Nets)

Running between the wickets remains one of cricket's most undervalued skills. Teams that run well can add 15-20 runs per innings without taking additional risks. Good running also puts pressure on fielding teams and creates more boundary opportunities by rotating strike effectively.

Calling and Communication

Clear partnerships:

First call: The striker calls for shots in front of the wicket.

Non-striker's role: Calling for shots behind the wicket where they have the better view.

Decisive calls: Yes, no, or wait - clear and immediate.

Changing calls: Only the person running to the danger end can change a call.

Running Technique

Low bat carry: Running with bat horizontal for faster turns.

Turning efficiency: Planting the outside foot and driving off it.

Ground cover: Maximum speed while maintaining control.

Slide technique: When and how to slide the bat safely.

Judgement and Awareness

Field assessment: Knowing fielder positions and arm strengths.

Reading the ball: Judging how hard the ball was hit.

Backing up: Non-striker moving with the bowler's delivery.

Risk calculation: Understanding when twos are on and when they're risky.

Partnership Building

Strike rotation: Keeping both batters involved and comfortable.

Protecting partners: Taking singles to shield weaker batters from dangerous bowlers.

Momentum building: Using quick running to lift scoring rates.

Energy management: Balancing running intensity with stamina over long innings.

Key Coaching Points

  • Communication between partners must be immediate and clear
  • The first run is always the easiest - look for the second
  • Running technique can be practised without batting
  • Know opposition fielders' strengths and weaknesses
  • Good running adds runs and creates pressure on fielding teams

Drills for Running Practice

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William Steed Coach, England

DESCRIPTION

The Aim of this game is to make your way around the clock... you do this by having the bowling machine set up to hit the stumps at a medium fast pace. The batsman starts to try and hit a shot - strait mid off cover backward point third man fine leg backward square leg mid wicket mid on You can increase the dificulty by asking the player to play over the top or along the floor.

COACHING POINTS

Batting Stance – Feet – Your feet should be positioned so they face down the wicket. Your front foot should not be in front of your back foot (creating a closed stance). Backswing – Your backswing should roughly be between the keeper and 2nd slip. Head / Eye Position – Your head should be level meaning that your eyes are level and that you are balanced. If your head is falling over to the offside then your shots will not be played from a balanced position and you are more likely to miss time the ball Front Foot Shots – Front Foot Placement – Your front foot placement is very important and you should always try and get the front foot as close to the pitch of the ball as possible. Head Position – Your head is one of the heaviest parts of the body it is important that your head is over the line of the ball and remains level. Body Weight – Hands – Your hands should come through the line of the ball strait to make sure that a good connection is made, if the bat comes through in a curved line then there is more chance of miss timing the ball or missing the ball completely Bat – Try and make sure that the bat comes through as straight as possible and the face of the bat is facing the bowler at the point of contact, if your hand positioning is good then this should come very naturally. Back Foot Shots – Foot Placement – The initial movement for a back foot shot is your back foot goes ‘back and across (to the offside)’, this is good because it means that you can get on top of the ball and also it give you a little extra time to react if the bowler is quite fast. Head Position – It is very important when a ball is coming up towards your chest or head that you keep your eyes on the ball. To do this you need your head to be as level as possible. Specifically for defensive shots you want your head to be behind the line of the ball so you can see the ball onto the bat. Body Weight – Whenever playing a attacking stroke especially on the off side (back foot dives/cuts) you want your body weight to be going through the line of the ball Hands – Your hands no matter if it is a flat bat or vertical bat shot the hands and bat should come through strait and where possible high to low (flat bat shots).

This practice has no coaching points

PROGRESSION

This practice has no progressions

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