Cricket: Back-Foot Defence

A Right-armed bowler bowling outswing will move the ball away from a right-handed batsman. The 1st and 2nd fingers are placed on the top of the ball and spread either side of the seam. The side of the thumb is placed on the underneath of the ball directly on the seam. To make the ball swing, ensure that the seam remains vertical and angled away from the batsman.

Played to a ball short of a length, roughly stump high.

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.

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.

The two V's of the grip pointing down the shoulder of the bat.

The bat should be placed directly between two feet. Ask players now to pick their bat up and set up in their stance, facing you.

The bat should be placed directly between two feet. Ask players now to pick their bat up and set up in their stance, facing you.

A right-arm bowler bowling to a right handed batsman will move the ball into them. The index and second finger should be placed either side of the the seam. The flat side of the thumb should be placed on the underneath of the ball. Ensure that the balls seam remains vertical and is angled towards the leg side.

1. Move both feet back towards the stumps, opening your body out towards the ball, but make sure that you keep your leg stump covered. Keep your head forward and in line with the ball. 2. Bring the bat through on as straight a path as possible, turning the bat face slightly towards the leg side and making contact with the ball in front of the front pad. 3. Control the shot with the top hand, glancing the ball away.

A leg spin bowler spins the ball from a right handed batsmans leg stump towards their off stump. The bowler grips the ball with the top joint of the index and middle fingers lying on the seam and the third finger bent along it. As the bowlers arm moves forward the fingers are straightened and the wrist is flicked forwards, with the palm finishing facing downwards. The 3rd finger is the one that imparts most of the spin. On release of the ball the bowler completes a full swing of the arm, driving through to the opposite hip. Its important to pivot on the ball of the front foot and make the back knee drive through the ball.

The off spin moves the ball from a right handed batsmans off stump towards their leg stump. The spin is generated from the index finger, this causes the ball to alter its direction and bounce through. The ball is held by the joints of the index and middle fingers which are spread along the seam. The spin is then generated by turning the wrist in a anti-clokwise direction.

Off-spin is the most popular method of spin in cricket. An off-break delivery turns from the off side to the leg side when bowled at a right-handed batsman. The spin is generated by the first and second fingers of the right hand. The more revolutions you can put on the ball, the better chance you have of getting more turn when the ball pitches.

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.

1. As the backswing begins, the head, shoulders and back foot move back and across. 2. The front leg is moved back and towards the leg side, forming the base for the shot with the head slightly forward. Keep the hands high and judge by the bounce and line of the ball whether or not to attempt the shot. 3. If you take on the shot then the arms should swing through and be fully extended as contact is made with the ball. 4. The follow through will either see both feet move round and point towards the path of the shot (as illustrated), or see the front leg raised off the ground, with your weight pivoting on the back foot.

Balls is dropped on a length to batter by feeder Ball is dropped from the batters ‘off-side’ to ensure feeder safety. Ball should be a comfortable distance away from batter, and this is personal preference indicated by batter Ball is dropped from a horizontal position, arm fully stretched out, and batter looks to hit ball on the second half volley

Played to a ball that is at the body, usually rising and too high to play Hands and body are lean away from the path of ball Batter must look to go back and across stumps Maintain side on position, achieved by encouraging player to keep shoulders parallel. This keeps batter a smaller target Keep weight forward even when moving back and across, to maintain balance and control of the shot Batter must keep eye on ball all the way.

This drill can be done in pairs/groups of three (minimum one batter and one feeder required), with six tennis balls per pair/group. Batter plays shot from one knee and progresses to ordinary stance when competent in the kneeling sweep position. The types of feed should be rapid fire feeds, where hands only move, and balls are fed quicker. Move onto the types of sweep below, hitting: Orthodox sweep Paddle sweep Slog sweep Reverse sweep Feeds need to be altered slightly here, quicker for the paddle, and wider and more looped for slog sweep.

Open Preview