Cricket: Stance and Backlift

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.

Played to a ball short of a length, roughly stump high. Batsman should have a relaxed and balanced stance - head still, eyes level. Back swing and step back. Their front shoulder should then dip. With the base established, weight stays slightly forward. Shoulders rotate vertically, front leg drawn back, alongside the back foot. Bat decelerates, ‘soft hands’ upon impact. Ball contact under eyes.

**AUDIO DESCRIPTION ON** For the pull shot, coach stands with the bag directly in front of the batsman. Coach applies pressure to the bag, against the hitting direction. Batsman plays a pull shot, striking the bag and holding the pose. For the cut shot, coach stands with the bag at the side of the batsman. Coach applies pressure to the bag, against the hitting direction. Batsman plays a cut shot, striking the bag and holding the pose.

**AUDIO DESCRIPTION ON** Coach or partner feeds the ball. They will feed the batsman a total of 4 balls and alternate between a low full toss and a waist height full toss. The batsman will drive the low full toss and pull the waist height feed. After every shot, the batsman should advance down the wicket towards the feeder, ready for the next delivery.

Can be done in pairs/ groups of three. One batter and one feeder minimum required. 6 tennis balls per pair/group.Feeder stands 4 meters away from batter, feeding ball as a drop feed, with arm out horizontally, and standing on the batters off side for safety. (adjust height of arm depending on height of feeder, and speed of batter to ball)Batter must use their feet and move down the wicket, meeting the ball on the second bounce, before hitting the ball through the cones. PROGRESSIONMake target smallerAllow player to hit over the top (aerially) – still keeping shape of shot and not leaning back or hitting to hard/to the leg side.Alter distance batter has to advance to get to the ball.

*AUDIO DESCRIPTION ON* In pairs, one player with a football feeding and one with a bat in their stance.  Feeder to throw the ball out slightly in front of the batter and high enough for them to header it.  Batter to return the ball with a header, with the head leading the player should be automatically stepping into the header. 

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The Files are 200k so please be patient when downloading. Open Preview

The Files are 200k so please be patient when downloading. Open Preview

**AUDIO DESCRIPTION ON** Set up a bench at the crease for the batsman to stand on. Batsmen stand in set position. The ball can either be thrown or fed through a bowling machine. Straight balls should be pulled by the batsmen and wide balls outside the off stump should be cut.

RULES OF THE GAME You must play a straight-batted shot, otherwise you are out. If you hit the ball in the V or leave it, it counts as a run. If you hit it outside the markers, you are out. Practice 1. First, give each batsman a set number of deliveries (e.g. 15 or 25). 2. If the batsman is out, score -2.

*AUDIO DESCRIPTION ON* Get batter to stand in their normal stance.  Place a ball in front of them and ask them to pick it up.  Player should automatically lead with their front foot and head to pick up the ball. This is the movement pattern to encourage.  Can move the ball around and drill can be completed by the cricket at home. 

Can be done in pairs/ groups of three. One batter, a feeder, and a wicket keeper. 4 incrediballs or cricket balls are recommended, as they have a seam to spin ball. 4 good quality feeds eachPlayer feeds from one knee, throwing ball under arm as a leg spinner, with the key being a looped feed. (If players can’t spin it, a slow looped feed is sufficient). Feeder aims to land ball on a full length, on off stump. Batter looks to play ball straight, through zone 1, to be marked out from between the stumps to cover as shown.NB – Left hander’s will still score through same zone, and should ideally be grouped together. PROGRESSION Make target area smaller, if playing to square of wicket, make target straighter.Introduce points scoring system.Bring in Zone 2 (different scoring area for length balls)Change length of feedIntroduce coming down wicket.

Can be done in pairs/ groups of three. One batter, a feeder, and a wicket keeper. 4 incrediballs or cricket balls are recommended, as they have a seam to spin ball. 4 good quality feeds each.Player feeds from one knee, throwing ball under arm as an off spinner, with the key being a looped feed. (If players cannot spin it, a slow looped feed is sufficient). Feeder aims to land ball on a full length, and batter looks to play ball straight, through zone 1, to be marked out from between the stumps to mid wicket.NB – Left hander’s will still score through same zone, and should ideally be grouped together. PROGRESSION Make target area smaller, if playing to square of wicket, make target straighter.Introduce points scoring system.Bring in Zone 2 (different scoring area for length balls)Change length of feedIntroduce coming down wicket or sweep shot.

Can be done in pairs/ groups of three. One batter and one feeder minimum required. 6 tennis balls per pair/group. Each batter will have two rounds of 6 balls each.Feeder must feed over arm, bouncing the ball in the feeding zone, at height of feed number (1) as seen in the short ball drill.Batter plays pull shot, looking to hit ball along the ground. Nets would be essential for this practice. PROGRESSION Feeder can come closer, and feed on the full, under arm at batter for improved accuracy. This feed would also allow for rapid fire feeding, where only the hands move in the execution of the shot.Cricket balls may be used for this.