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Football: Off Drive

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COACHING POINTS

  • Lean towards the ball with head and shoulder forward of the body.
  • Good step forward towards the pitch of the ball, head directly above the front foot.
  • Backlift remains raised (hands up high behind back hip pocket)
  • Weight on bent leg
  • Back leg straight with heel raised and inside of toe touching the floor, thus ensuring sideways body position.
  • Diamond shape maintained by arms throughout the shot.
  • Bat swings through the line of the ball.
  • Toe of the bat follows direction in which the ball has been hit.
  • Leading elbow high, close to head.
  • Bottom hand, fingers and thumb grip (to allow flow of arms and bat through the line of the ball.
  • High hands above eye level after the ball has been struck, forearms in line with the bat.

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    OFTEN USED WITH...
    Front foot defence | Front foot batting

    Front foot defence:

    Front foot batting
    The front foot drive | Front foot batting

    The front foot drive:

    Dip your head and shoulder more than for the off or straight drive and let the ball come through.

    Open your leading shoulder to point straight/ mid on, so that your hip opens slightly, allowing the bat to swing through.

    Take a short stride towards the ball, stand tall on the balls of your feet and point the toe of front foot directly up the wicket.

    Plant foot down the line of leg stump - no wider.

    Stand tall, get up onto your toes with the weight on your front foot and head forwards, directly above body - eyes level.

    As the bat swings through the line of the ball, work hard to maintain the following: A dominant top hand, relaxed fingers and thumb bottom hand grip, diamond shape with arms, high hands, hands forward of bat face on impact.

    Front foot batting
    Pull Shot | Batting Mechanics

    Pull Shot:

    Batting Mechanics
    Back Foot Defence | Batting Mechanics

    Back Foot Defence:

    To play this defensive shot properly players will need to think about their whole body's position in order to avoid popping the ball up for an easy take.

    Batting Mechanics
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