Cricket: Ian Bell - Forward Defense

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.

**AUDIO DESCRIPTION ON**   Players split up into pairs with a cone in front of each player Players start square on to their partner The heel advances, steps over the cone and goes towards the target Receiving player will gather the ball and throw the ball back  

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.

Similar to the forward defense, this shot is played when the batter feels a good ball has been bowled and no runs can be scored from it. A good defense is needed for batters to bat for long periods and to score runs.

Batting against spin is hard and without an effective game plan spinners can tie down batters, reducing the run rate and taking wickets. This masterclass video shows you how Ian Bell sets up against spin to prevent this from happening.

Coming down the wicket is an attacking option which puts pressure on the (usually spin) bowler and can force them to change their length. It takes confidence to come down the wicket but from this drill you'll be able to teach your players how to do it effectively.

Ian Bell was famous for having the best cover drive in world cricket. Batters should always be looking to score runs. When a bowler delivers a half-volley, it should be scored off and the best way of doing this is by playing the cover-drive. Watch this drill to see how you can coach your players to drive like Bell!

Batters need to capitalise when bowlers miss their length and bowl it wide. There are a number of different cut shots which can be hit in different areas. In this drill Ian Bell talks through how to get into the correct position with some key points you can use.

Defending against spin has changed a lot over the past few years. This is particularly notable at the top end of the game where DRS has been introduced. Umpires generally give out more LBWs when bat and pad are next to each other. 

A forward defense is played to a good length delivery. It's a defensive type of shot and therefore the amount of runs scored from it is irrelevant

The pull shot is a counter attacking shot to a fast delivery generally pitched half way down the wicket. Often played incorrectly but if executed well can score your players a lot of runs and force bowlers to pitch the ball up which will be easier to face.

It's common for batters to change their stance depending on whether they're facing a right handed or left handed bowler. Whilst there is not one method that suits everyone in cricket, in this video, Ian Bell talks through how he sets up.

If a batter can set up correctly then they will give themselves the best possible chance to face the delivery that comes down at them. But how should their guard change when facing the different types of spin?

Having the correct grip allows batters to feel comfortable whilst batting for long periods. It also enables more control, power and better execution.

This is a shot which has come into the game as a result of T20 cricket. It's one of the more fashionable shots to play, with every young player wanting to play it, however it remains one of the hardest to execute.   In this drill, Ian Bell will simplify the shot so your players can start to use it.