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Cricket: drives

drives DRILLS
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Attacking front foot drives

Player 2 throws. Each batsman has 3 consecutive balls, then goes to the back of the queue. If you leave a ball you get another go. The ball should be a slow high underarm feed.

Front foot batting

Backfoot Drive

Split the group so there is between 3-6 people in each net (including thrower or use coach). The thrower stands at the stumps whilst the rest queue up to bat at the other end. Two cones are placed to provide the target to drive the ball through. Each batsmen gets 2-3 consecutive balls then must go to the back of the queue. If the ball is left they may have another go. Once the batsmen drives the ball through the cones he must run to the stumps and back. Feeding: Each batsmen receives 24 balls and must be from a kneeling or standing position (depending on age and height). The ball should be short of a length, away from the batsmen, bouncing between knee and waste height.

Back foot batting

Group coaching for the back foot drives

Set up the practice as shown in the diagram. Target area: 10 metres away from the batsman (10-15 metres wide). Fielders stand between markers. Mark out parallel lines on the floor to show line and length of feed. The Feeder kneels on one knee, 10-12 paces from the batsman. Feeder says \"Bat up!\", then feeds a dart feed which bounces between the batsmans knee and waist height. (Throw from head height downwards, one bounce.

Conditioned games

Group coaching for the front foot drive

Create a V-Shaped area out in front of the batter. Working in groups of 6 players take it in turns to bowl, field and bat. The batsman aims to strike the ball beyond the fielders using a front foot drive. The fielders must prevent the ball from getting past them. Every time the batsman gets the ball beyond the fielders, within the coned are, they score a point.

Conditioned games

Group coaching for the front foot drives

Set up for the practice1. Set up the practice as shown in the diagram.2. Target area: 10 metres away from the batsman - safety.3. Target area 10-15 metres wide. Fielders stand between markers.NOTE: For better players target area should be further away and more narrow.4. Mark out parallel lines on the floor to show line and length of the ball.5. Ideal numbers for groups is 4-6 players - Maximum activity.6. Thrower stands 10-12 paces from the batsman.7. Thrower says Bat up!, then throws a bobble ball, which bounces more than twice below the batsmans knee height. (Underarm feed standing up.)8. Each group has 3 balls.9. Ideal duration of the practice: 25-35 mins.

Front foot batting

LEAVE THE BALL AND PLAYING defensively

FEEDING PROGRESSIONTry to feed the ball on off stump line or just outside. (a) Bobble feed - front foot drives (b) Underarm, One Bounce - Front foot drive and defence(c) Dart Feed (throw from ear downwards, one bounce) - (i) back foot defence and drive. (ii) Front or back foot (d) Underarm Leg Spin - Front of back foot (e) Dart Feed Off Break (give the ball air) - front or back foot Use any of these feeding progressions, starting with the easier ones.

Conditioned games

The Back-Foot Off-Side Driving Game

Organisation: Divide the group into 2 equal teams. Organise as shown in the diagram,set target for off drives only. Ball is served (on batters command of ready!) from the second cone infront of batter. Each player has 3 attempts to strike the ball. Fielders positioned between cones and boundary gather the ball and return to wicket keeper. An alternative method to execute a run out is for the wicket keeper to stand in a circle and instead of breaking the wicket when a ball is returned, simply to bounce the ball in the circle. Scoring: 1 run is scored if the ball passes between cones at fielders end, or is travelling in the correct direction when it is intercept (fielders remain behind the cones until the ball is hit). 3 runs are scored if ball passes between cones and batter runs around the cone and back again before the wicket keeper catches the fielders return and breaks the wicket. Direct hits count.4 runs are scored if ball reaches boundary wall and any extra runs completed. Batters may be caught or run out. Team with the most runs wins.Equipment: 1 bat and 1 tennis ball, set of wickets, 4 marker cones, and chalk markings.

Conditioned games

The front foot driving game

Set-up the pitch as shown. Use three sets of stumps Position incoming batsmen behind the wickets and safe from incoming throws and drives hit by the batsmen. Coach stands 15 paces away from the batsmen. Fielders must be at least 15 metres away from the batsman.

Conditioned games

The Straight Drive

Divide the group into groups of 4 and organise as shown in the diagram. Player (1) drives the ball off the tee at the target. If the distance is more than 11 metres players (2) and (3) attempt to stop the ball and return it to player (4) who replaces the tee and ball. Players rotate roles after 5 attempts. If the distance is less than 11 metres players (2) and (3) remain behind the batter and collect rebound from the wall. Equipment: 1 bat, tennis ball and tee per group. 2 marker cones and chalked lines.

Front foot batting

Cricket: Group coaching for th...

<BR>Set up for the practice<br>1. Set up the practice as shown in the diagram.<br>2. Target area: 10 metres away from the batsman - safety.<BR>3. Target area 10-15 metres wide. Fielders stand between markers.NOTE: For better players target area should be further away and more narrow.<BR>4. Mark out parallel lines on the floor to show line and length of the ball.<BR>5. Ideal numbers for groups is 4-6 players - Maximum activity.<br>6. Thrower stands 10-12 paces from the batsman.<BR>7. Thrower says Bat up!, then throws a bobble ball, which bounces more than twice below the batsmans knee height. (Underarm feed standing up.)<BR>8. Each group has 3 balls.<BR>9. Ideal duration of the practice: 25-35 mins.

General

Cricket: Attacking front foot ...

Player 2 throws. Each batsman has 3 consecutive balls, then goes to the back of the queue. If you leave a ball you get another go. The ball should be a slow high underarm feed.

General

Off Drive Front foot batting -...

General

Cricket: Group coaching for th...

Create a V-Shaped area out in front of the batter. Working in groups of 6 players take it in turns to bowl, field and bat. The batsman aims to strike the ball beyond the fielders using a front foot drive. The fielders must prevent the ball from getting past them. Every time the batsman gets the ball beyond the fielders, within the coned are, they score a point.

General

Front foot Drive Front foot ba...

The Coach feeds 6 balls to each batsman, who have to drive the ball through the set of cones.

General

Cover drive Extras - Cricket D...

This is an attacking stroke, played to a full, wide of off stump delivery. Keep a relaxed, balanced stance, with your head and eyes level. Using your normal backswing, step forward; your leading foot should have a comfortable stride to the pitch of the ball. When playing the stroke the front shoulder dips, front knee bends. Your shoulders rotate vertically, bat moves in an arc (3 o'clock to 9 o'clock) and continues  through the line of the ball in the direction of shot (through the covers - on the on-side).

General

The Straight Drive Front foot ...

Divide the group into groups of 4 and organise as shown in the diagram. Player (1) drives the ball off the tee at the target. If the distance is more than 11 metres players (2) and (3) attempt to stop the ball and return it to player (4) who replaces the tee and ball. Players rotate roles after 5 attempts. If the distance is less than 11 metres players (2) and (3) remain behind the batter and collect rebound from the wall. Equipment: 1 bat, tennis ball and tee per group. 2 marker cones and chalked lines.

General

Cricket: 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.

General

Off drive Extras - Cricket Dri...

Attacking stroke, played to a full off stump line delivery Relaxed balanced stance, head and eyes level Backswing and step forward Front shoulder dips Base established, front knee bends Comfortable stride, with foot next to ball (on the outside of foot) Shoulders rotate vertically, bat accelerates on contact Bat swings through line of ball and follows through the direction of shot (mid off)

General

Use of Feet Lofted Checked Dri...

General

Moving Out to Drive Front foot...

Exercise for groups of 3-6 players. 1 person throws 6 balls to the batsman who has to try and hit all the balls between the target area (doesn't necessarily need to be played against a wall). After the 6 balls the batsmen becomes the thrower and the thrower goes to back of queue to field, whilst the next batsman steps in.

General

Back foot straight drive Extra...

Played to a ball short of a length, roughly stump high Relaxed, balanced stance, head still, eyes level Back swing and step back Front Shoulder Dips Base established, weight stays slightly forward Shoulders rotate vertically, front leg drawn back Bat accelerates, follows through straight Ball contact under eyes

General

On Drive from Set Position Fro...

Set up two cones half way down the wicket, one central and one leg side. Feed from around the wicket with a bobble feed. Batter to hit from the on drive set position, knees and feet facing down the wicket, and aiming for the two cones.  Back lift over first/second slip, hit a straight line through the ball to the target area. Batter to hold the shape, and take small steps towards the direction of the shot to the cone. 

General

Serve and Drive Front foot bat...

<br />Organisation: Divide the group into groups of 5. Organise the group as shown in the diagram. The server serves the ball overarm from a kneeling position onto target, after batter shouts 'ready'. The target to be bowled at is positioned in line with middle stump 2-3 metres in front of batter. A wicket keeper is placed behind the batter not too close to the batter.<br /><br />Equipment: 1 tennis ball and 1 bat per group. 2 marker cones. Chalk marking.

General

Bowling Machine - Drive Progre...

Batter to hit one shot from set position followed by one shot from stance (slighlty open). Set position with kness and laces down the wicket and holiding the shape. From stance, stepping into the shot and finding that same position down the wicket and holding the shape.

General

Driving Game Ground fielding a...

<BR>With between 5-8 players on each team. Each batsmen must drive on one out of 3 deliveries and run on the driven one, then complete two runs. The fielders must stay behind the boundary until the ball is hit. If a boundary is hit the batsmen gets an additional 3 balls. If the ball is hit out of the grounds then 6 runs are awarded.<BR>1) Bat until all out <i>or</i><BR>2) Bat until teams wickets are used up i.e. 4 wickets per team.

General

Ian Bell - Cover Drive Techniq...

Ian Bell was famous for having the best cover drive in world cricket.<br>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. <br>Watch this drill to see how you can coach your players to drive like Bell!

General

Bound Up & Drive Fast and spin...

Bowler begins with take-off foot on the box.Bowler pushes up with take-off foot into the delivery stride towards the crease.The ball is bowled at the stumpst and follows through straight down the wicket.

General

On drive Extras - Cricket Dril...

Attacking stroke, played to a full, delivery, usually a middle/middle and leg stump delivery Relaxed balanced stance, head and eyes level Backswing and step forward Front shoulder dips Base established, front knee bends Comfortable stride, with foot next to ball (on the outside of foot) Shoulders rotate vertically, bat accelerates on contact Bat swings through line of ball and follows through the direction of shot (mid on)

General

Drop feed drive from set posit...

Can be done in pairs/ groups of three. Feeder drops ball in front of batter (with arm out horizontally, standing on the off side of the batsman for safety purposes). Batter steps towards the ball, and aim to drive the ball on the second bounce/half volley, driving the ball on the ground through the target zones. Each group needs 6 tennis balls. 6 feeds per batter rotate clockwise. Drill is best done in nets (2 grounds per net in opposite directions) .Encourage players to wear at least batting gloves when doing this drill.

General

Backfoot Drive Back foot batti...

Split the group so there is between 3-6 people in each net (including thrower or use coach). The thrower stands at the stumps whilst the rest queue up to bat at the other end. Two cones are placed to provide the target to drive the ball through. Each batsmen gets 2-3 consecutive balls then must go to the back of the queue. If the ball is left they may have another go. Once the batsmen drives the ball through the cones he must run to the stumps and back. <br /><br />Feeding: Each batsmen receives 24 balls and must be from a kneeling or standing position (depending on age and height). The ball should be short of a length, away from the batsmen, bouncing between knee and waste height.<br /><br/ Competition: To score 30 runs without getting out, with any shot played into the air being out. Competitions can also be set up between groups to see which group of batsmen can get the highest score with the thrower being from an opposition group.

General

Cricket: Group coaching for th...

<BR>Set the practice up as shown.Each player has 8-10 balls, then all rotate clockwise.The coach calls bat up before feeding the ball for the batsman to drive the ball through the v shaped cones.If the batsman leaves the ball they get another ball. If they play and miss they do not. If players deliberately play cross-batted shots on leg side they lose that round. (Be strict on this point).If players hit the ball into the air, over the fielders, it does not count and they lose that ball. Make the last round competitive: who can hit all balls through target area along the ground? Fielders must stop the ball. On the competitive round, if a player gets out, all change round.<BR>

General

Drop and Drive Front foot batt...

<br />Organisation: Organise as in the diagram in groups of 5 people. Server stands in the cirlce and drops a tennis ball at arms length from well below eye level. Batter strikes the ball as it bounces for the second time.<br /><br />Equipment: 1 bat and tennis ballper group, 2 marker cones and chalked lines.

General

Use of Feet - Straight Drive T...

Looking to hit ball straight back past bowler Quick feet from the batter are essential when getting to the ball. When advancing down the wicket, batter must aim to keep head as still as possible, and eyes level. Batter needs to be in a still position by the time they make contact, and well balanced.

General

Use of feet - Off Drive Techni...

Looking to hit ball towards mid off Quick feet from the batter are essential when getting to the ball. When advancing down the wicket, batter must aim to keep head as still as possible, and eyes level. Batter needs to be in a still position by the time they make contact, and well balanced. Encourage player to loosen bottom hand upon impact, and maintain their weight into the shot by leaning forward not back. Bat following through straight s key, with a &lsquo;checked&rsquo; follow through not full. This will help direct the ball to mid off.

General

Alignment and Balance Front fo...

Set up 3 different coloured cones midway down the wicket going across. From a bobble feed. Hit the ball and hold the shape whilst taking steps in the line of the shot till the cones are met. Players to have 2 shots each before rotating. Once players have a feel for it, move on to the progression- calling the colour of the cone.

General

Drop feed drive Extras - Crick...

Can be done in pairs/ groups of three. Feeder drops ball in front of batter (with arm out horizontally, standing on the off side of the batsman for safety purposes). Batter steps towards the ball, and aims to drive the ball on the second bounce/ half volley, driving the ball on the ground through the target zones. Each group needs 6 tennis balls and each batter gets 6 feeds. Drill is best done in nets (2 grounds per net in opposite directions). Encourage players to wear at least batting gloves when doing this practice.

General

Cut shot Extras - Cricket Dril...

Played to a ball short of a length and wide of off stump. Ball is aimed square of the wicket. Relaxed, balanced stance, head still, eyes level. Back swing and step back towards off side. Base established, weight stays slightly forward. Shoulders rotate towards offside, horizontally. Bat accelerates, hitting from high to low. Ball contact is made level with head, allow for natural follow through.

General

Cricket: Back foot drive - Spo...

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

General

Front Foot Drive: Constructing...

Set the bowling machine to delivering from around the wicket, swinging into the batsman.Allow each player to hit 3 balls and rotate. Have the player hitting straight or through mid onCoaches to observe at first before making changes.Batter to hit from the front foot drive set position, knees and feet facing down the wicket.

General

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drives SESSIONS
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Front and back - Fielding and Batting

Perfect the front-foot drive. Use the most stylish shot in the game to get on top of the bowler and force their lengths back; PLUS, get your fielders snaffling every ball that is hit at them with this all-round session.
drives ANSWERS
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i am trying to perfect a new trigger movement

i am trying to perfect a new trigger movement and am undecided as to whether changing is a good idea. last season i missed out on a lot of drives and decided this season to try the forward press instead of usually just standing still what would your advice be?

Archived User Coach

how to increas pace of the bowling?

hi my name is sharath, sir i always bowl over pitch  so bats man can gose for drives, so give me any sugasion to over cum it

Archived User Coach

i am playing very well in the offside and in onside?

i am playing very well in the offside and in onside behind the square but it is really tuf to play in onside in front of the square what can i do?

Archived User Coach

How to practice cuts and drives towards point and thirdman?

How to practice cuts and drives towards point and thirdman area. Are there any specific drills

Shashank Coach, India

My son is getting caught out on the leading edge when hitting through the leg side. Any quick fixes??

My son is getting caught out on the leading edge when trying to hit through the on side. Any quick fixes???

Archived User Coach

hey how can i hit a perfect cover drive?

hey how can i hit a perfect cover drive?

Archived User Coach

How should I do to improve my batting drives?

HI I am Shashank . I have no coach .Please help me .How can I improve my drives?

Archived User Coach

Batsman backing away. Are there any drills for getting him in line?

I have a batsman who has a habit of backing away to square leg when facing seamers. Are there any drills i can use for getting him in line?

darren jordan Coach, England

Improving batting front foot drives

My under 14 batters are struggling playing front foot drives with any confidence - what can I do do improve this in young cricketers?

Keith Wrest Coach, Australia

Improve Bowling Speed

What techniques can I show my son to get him to improve his bowling speed? He did quite well last year, but seems to be battling to find the same rhythm and pace this year.

Wallace Barnes Coach, South Africa

adding power to batting strokes, drills for this

What are the most suitable drills to introduce more power in the front foot drives as well as the back foot shots.

Darragh Dempsey Coach, United States of America

How to be flexible while batting

When I'm batting I get's very tight means my body get's very tight because of that I can't play drives smoothly.How can I keep my body relax ?Give the tips or exercise to be flexible and relax while playing.

Archived User Coach

can you give me coaching points at least 4 points on each skill.

stancegripbackliftforward drive back foot drivehit to leg pull shotforward defensive shotdelivery

Tafara Coach, Zimbabwe

How to smack boundaries/sixes on a fast bowler?

How to smack fast bowlers for boundaries/sixes?

Kucharkul Akshat Coach, India

Playing on the Leg Side

I am trying to improve my Leg side game and wondering if anyone has some tips and drill that i could do when improving the shots that are played on the leg side (Flick, On drive, Pull, hook, Straight drive, Slog sweep, sweep, Leg glance) and other leg side mistakes

Tyler James Toholke Coach, Australia

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