Fielding Drills

Activity 4.

Chose three teams of about six players. (A1-6, B1-6, C1-6).

Place three witches’ hats for each team, one (X) behind which each team waits to start the exercise, another (Y) 30 metres in front of the starting point (X) and a third (Z) 60 m in front of the starting point(X).

The first player (A1, B1, C1) in each team holds a ball. Upon the starter’s (S) signal the first players (A1,B1,C1) in each team sprints to the second witches’ hat (Y) where he drops the ball.

He then continues to the third witches’ hat (Z), running around it and then heads back towards the starting  point.

He picks up the ball where he has dropped it at the second witches’ hat (Y) and throws it underarm or overarm on the full toss, according to the directions of the starter to the second member of his team.(A2, B2,C2).

He then runs back to the witches’ hat at the starting point X and takes his position at the rear of his team. As soon as the second player catches the first player’s return, he starts to run towards the second and third witches’ hats, repeating the actions of the first player.

When the ball is finally returned to the fielder who began the activity, he raises it above his head. The team of the first player to do this, wins the competition.

Activity 5.

Chose three or four teams of about six players.(A1-6, B1-6, C1-6). Place witches’  hats, one at X behind which half of the team (A1-3, B1-3, C1-3) waits to start the exercise; another at Y, 30m in front of the starting point and a third at Z 60m in front of the starting point,  behind which the other half of the teams (A4-6), B4-6, C4-6) are positioned.

The first player (A1, B1, C1.) in each team holds a ball. Upon the signal to start from the starter (S), he sprints to the second witches’ hat (Y) where he drops the ball. He then continues to the third witches’ hat (Z), touching the first fielder (A4, B4, C4) waiting there.

Fielders (A4, B4, C4) head back towards the starting  point (X). They pick up the ball where A1, B1, C1 dropped it at the second witches’ hat (Y) and throw it underarm or overarm on the full toss, according to the directions of the coach, to the third  member of his team (A2, B2, C2) waiting at the starting point(X).

They then run back to the witches’ hat at the starting point (X). As soon as A2, B2 & C2 catch A4, B4 & C4’s return, they start to run towards the second (Y) and third witches’ hats (Z), repeating the actions of A1, B1 & C1.

When the ball is finally returned to A1, B1 or C1 in his original position, he raises it above his head. The team of the first player to do this, wins the competition.

Bowling Skill Principle: ‘Maintain forward momentum towards the bowling target (the batsman’s wicket)’.

To bowl straight a bowler must summate his forces and coordinate  his body movements so that his limbs move in the correct sequence in an appropriate time frame and in a unique direction, towards the batsman’s wicket. This means that the bowler must:-

   Lean forward throughout his run-up and bowling action towards the batsman’s stumps.

   Run-up to the bowling wicket in a consistent line towards the batsman’s stumps. He cannot deviate to the side either in his approach in moving into his action on his delivery stride.

   In the delivery stride, step from his rear foot on to his front foot, in the direction of the batsman’s stumps. This applies to both side-on and chest-on actions.

   In the action, move the shoulder girdle, the front and bowling arms  forwards in the direction of the batsman’s stumps. The front arm and shoulder girdle move only slightly in a sideways direction, since such a movement would divert momentum from the target corridor.

Maintain his head in an upright position. The head comprises one-tenth of the bowler’s weight and if it leans either to the left or right, the bowler’s weight will move in that direction, causing the ball to be misdirected.

Keep the bowling hand behind the ball, moving it forward in the direction of the batsman’s wicket.

Follow through in the direction of the batsman’s stumps. A straight follow-through is proof of bowling momentum maintained towards the batsman’s wicket.

 

Activities to Practise the Bowling Skill

Activity 6. Tabloid: Three Degrees of Bowling Accuracy:

Lay out three full-length pitches on any smooth part of the outfield 10m apart, leaving enough space behind the bowling stumps for a full run-up.

Chose three teams of bowlers (B1-3) from the available players, naming them after Test sides: e.g. West Indies, Australia, South Africa.

Allocate a team to each pitch. Nominate a wicket-keeper(W)in each team and change him each time the team rotates to a different position.

On pitch 1, the bowlers aim at a target wicket 1m wide. Each time a bowler bowls the ball between the two stumps marking the target wicket, he gains 5 points for his team. The wicket-keeper keeps the score.

On pitch 2, the bowlers aim at a target wicket the size of a normal wicket. Each time a bowler bowls the ball between the stumps marking the target wicket he gains 20 points for his team. The wicket-keeper keeps score.

On pitch 3, the bowlers aim at a target wicket of one stump. Each time a bowler hits the stump, he gains 100 points for his team. The wicket-keeper keeps score.

At a signal from the coach (C), the teams begin bowling, the wicket-keeper retrieving the balls and returning them to the bowlers. The bowlers bowl at each target for 10 minutes and stop immediately the signal is given by the coach. The team which responds first to the coach’s signal to stop and sits in a line behind the bowling  stumps, gains a bonus of 50 points.

At the end of each 10-minute segment, the coach notes and compares the scores of each team. The teams then rotate so that they each bowl in turn at every target wicket.

The team with the highest total of points at the end of 30 minutes wins the competition.

   mphasise the quality of the drill. Ensure that the bowlers bowl off their full run so that they can practice the direct movement towards the target wicket at the correct running speed. Check that the bowling delivery stride, in both the closed or open actions, takes the bowler towards his target.

Variations

       The number, the names of the teams may be increased, decreased or changed. The number of points allocated may also be varied, as may the size of the target wickets and the amount of time spent by each team bowling at the respective targets.

   The bowling task may also be made more difficult by establishing a length target on the pitch. Mark the length targets as rectangles delineated by markers e.g. beer mats on the playing surface on a good length as wide as and directly in front of the target wicket. The bowler now tries to bounce the ball in the target length area, so that it then passes through the target wicket. Give the bowler a bonus of double the points when he hits both the length and direction targets.

Activity 7. Blind Man’s Bowling

This exercise uses kinaesthetic/ proprioceptive feeling or muscle memory. If the muscles of the body can memorise the feeling of the pattern of  movement which accompanies the maintenance of forward momentum towards a bowling target, it can reproduce those feelings, even if the bowler is not looking at the target wicket!

 

   Establish two pitches, 10m apart. The target wicket (T) at which the bowler bowls is a metre wide. There are no stumps at the bowler’s end.

   Chose two teams from the players available, giving them as before, the names of Test teams. Nominate a wicket-keeper (W) for each team.The bowlers (B) measure out their normal runs. If the runs are very long, a shorter approach is permissible.

   Distribute blindfolds to the bowlers before they bowl. The eyeshades given by airlines to allow passengers to sleep more easily are ideal. If blindfolds are not available the bowlers may perform the drill, shutting  the eyes in the last step of their run-up and just before they bowl.

   The coach (C) assists the bowlers in each team before they bowl. He stands behind the blindfolded bowler, guiding him towards his target, vocally and physically.

   The wicket-keeper stands behind the target wicket and shouts “here”, as the bowler runs up. The bowler then bowls in the direction of the sound.

   Each bowler in every team bowls the same number of balls, being rewarded with 50 points each time he bowls the ball between the stumps. The wicket-keeper keeps the score, stops and relays the balls back to the bowlers. The wicket-keeper should also have the opportunity to bowl.

   The side earning the greater number of points wins the competition. There is no time restriction on the activity.

   Emphasise the quality of  the bowler’s performance: the correct run-up and action. Prevent rushing. Check the bowling action to ensure that - whether it is open or closed - it maintains its movement towards the target stumps. Try to maintain the pace of the activity; only one player in each team is active at any one time, and non-participants become bored. For this reason it is wise to keep the numbers in each team to a minimum. You may increase the number of teams participating and the number of pitches used.

Variations

The number of teams, players, balls bowled, points awarded and the size of the target stumps can all be varied.

 

Batting Skill Principle: "The beginning of every stroke is a correct grip,stance and backlift."

     Straight bat strokes combine defence with attack. They maintain most of the face of the bat’s blade, measuring  96.5cms by 10.8cms, between the ball and the stumps for most of  their execution. This means that initial aggressive intent can be stopped at very short notice and changed into a stroke which prevents the ball hitting the stumps.

     To combine attack with defence, the batsman must swing the bat vertically, close to the additional  defensive barrier of the body and legs, and along the same path as that of the approaching ball.

     The path and power of the batswing depends on the hands working together to lift the bat straight back in an arc of varying length, then swinging it towards the ball hard or gently according to whether the intention is to hit hard or block.

     For powerful strokes, the backlift is high and long; for defensive shots it is low and short.

     The batman’s standing position to receive the ball - his stance- facilitates or flaws the ideal batswing, as well as enabling the striker to move his feet much more easily.

Batting Skills: The Grip, Stance and Backlift

To enhance his chances of hitting the ball cleanly and correctly, the batsman must:-

Grip the bat handle in both hands. Both hands have a role to play, either as a guide or power provider.

Grip the handle of the bat about 5cms up from the shoulder of the blade. Holding the bat handle close to the blade increases the batsman’s control of the bat, but reduces the arc through which the batsman swings it and hence the power in the stroke. Holding the bat handle near the top, augments the power in the stroke because the bat moves though a longer arc; but it diminishes the striker’s control over the stroke.

Grip the bat handle so that the hands are behind the handle. The summation of force in a stroke involves the movement of the larger parts of the body - i.e.the legs, torso and shoulders - first; these then stop and  pass on their force to the next smaller parts of the body i.e. the forearms and hands. The latter members move much faster to propel the bat. To pass on maximum force to the bat, the hands must be behind the handle. To ensure this, hold the bat handle so that the Vs formed by the thumbs and forefingers of each hand, point up and down the handle, the open end towards and slightly to the right of the spine of the bat; the points of the Vs are aligned with the forearms and the shoulders of the batsman.

Stand with the feet toeing an imaginary straight line drawn between the middle & leg stumps of the wickets at each end of the pitch. The front shoulder points towards the bowler and the rear shoulder towards the wicket-keeper.

Stand, knees of both legs slightly bent and relaxed and your weight evenly distributed between the front and rear legs.

Stand with the arms of both arms bent at the elbows and close to the body. The front elbow points towards the bowler and the contours of the shoulders, arms, hands and the bat form a figure 9. The lines of the arms, shoulders and hands make up the hollow of the figure 9 and the bat the tail. When playing straight or vertical bat strokes, keep the arms and bat close to the body and always swing the leading edge of the figure 9 towards the line of the approaching ball.

Stand with the head turned towards the bowler so that both eyes have a clear sight of him. Keep the chin tucked into the leading shoulder. One of your eyes is weaker than the other and if  you view the ball with that eye, and your head not turned towards it, you are not getting the best sight of it.

To begin the movement of the bat, press forward on the handle. Then lift the bat with the hands, arms and shoulders, directly back towards and over the middle and off stumps, keeping the bat as in the
figure 9 close to the body. The front shoulder dips in front of the body and the rear shoulder lifts behind it. The figure 9 shape of the shoulders, arms and bat remains constant throughout the stroke.

   Pronate the hands i.e.twist them so that they pull the bat straight back and slightly behind the body. In vertical bat strokes, the top hand on the bat controls the direction of the backswing; but in horizontal or cross-bat strokes, the bottom hand on the bat takes control of the shot at the top of the backlift, pulling it into a horizontal position behind the head, preparatory to swinging it at the ball in the same posture.The height of the backlift varies according to the force of the stroke i.e.high for a forcing stroke, and low for a defensive shot.

Activities to Practise the Batting Skill

8. Standing to Attention.

The batsman (A) places the bat (B) on the ground face downwards, and pointing lengthways down the pitch. The edge of the bat is on an imaginary line drawn between         the middle stumps of the two set of stumps (W).

   The batsman (A) stands with the toes of both feet touching the edge of the bat (B), ensuring that his feet are in line with one another and the middle stump.

 

9. A Good Grip.

Stick pieces of coloured adhesive tape (T) around  your bat handle 5cms and 25cms up from the shoulder  of the blade.

Stick another 5cm strip of tape (T) longitudinally down the bat, 1cm to the left of its spine, and alongside the splice. Place the bat on the ground, face downwards with the handle towards you. Now pick up the bat as though you are picking up an axe, keeping both hands between the bands of coloured tape on the handle.

  The open ends of the ‘V’s formed by the forefinger and thumbs of each hand should be in line with the tape stuck next to the splice.(see diagram)

 

Activity 10. Chin up.

Clamp a cricket ball between the chin and the leading shoulder. (For the right-handed batsman this is the left shoulder). Keeping the ball in this position, shadow practice the backswing and front foot strokes.This exercise maintains the head in its correct position alongside the front shoulder which points at the line of the ball.

 

Activity 11.The Man Behind.

   Set out the equipment and position the players as in the diagram. Players work in pairs as batsman (B) and wicket-keeper (W).

The batsman (B) takes up his stance on the popping crease in front of the stumps. His partner takes the wicket-keeper's (W) position just behind the stumps and extends one hand, palm downwards in front of the middle and off stumps and at bail height.

Without looking back, the batsman lifts the bat straight back towards the middle and off stumps so that the bat slaps the palm of the hand of the player behind the stumps, indicating a straight backlift.

 

Activity 12. Between the Stumps.

Lay out the equipment and position the players as indicated in the diagram. Players work individually. 

Each batsman (B) takes up his stance in front of his wicket (W), the middle stump of which has been removed.

Without looking back, the batsman now lifts his bat back so that it passes cleanly between the middle and leg stumps without touching them.

The Principles of Net Practice

“I believe that cricketers are made by coaching and practice, and that nerve, eyesight, physique and  patience, although necessary, would not be of much use alone.” Dr. W.G.Grace (English Champion Cricketer of the Nineteenth Century)

“People have said that my golf owes a lot to luck. The funny thing is that the more I practise, the luckier I get.” Gary Player(Champion South African Golfer).

The Organisation & Conduct of Net Practice Should Satisfy the Following Criteria:–

   The quality of practice is more important than the length of time spent on it. It is better to train well for an hour than to spend three hours practising inefficiently. Every minute devoted to practice must be relevant and intense. No chatting or lounging around!.

   The coaching agency must provide personnel, facilities, equipment & time for the diagnosis of technique faults in batting/bowling/fielding. This means supplying coaches, good practice nets(customised in certain instances for skill assessment & correction strategies), video-tape and video-tape replay facilities( or even more sophisticated, computerised movement analysis facilities), and record-keeping equipment etc.

   An efficient coaching administration furnishes personnel, facilities and equipment to correct those faults. This means providing coaches, nets (customised in certain instances for correction strategies) and equipment, plus items such as bowling machines for the remedial work on weak batting motor skills.

   Practice must replicate as closely as possible the playing conditions and situations found in a game, giving players experience in the fitness, skill and psychological aspects of batting, bowling, fielding, keeping and tactics, similar to those encountered in a match.

   Good training provides individual, qualitative and quantitative match preparation in skills, fitness and mental outlook during the season. It must also furnish pre-seasonal preparation.

   It facilitates communication paths between coaches, players & administrators.

   It  provides the opportunity for personal, one-to-one coaching.

   It makes available personnel, facilities, equipment & time for fitness testing and training.

   It supplies personnel, facilities, equipment & time for psychological testing and training.

   It  furnishes positive social interaction.

 

Net Practice a/m, p/m .

The a/m criteria demand a high level of skill in planning, organisation and man management. The total practice plan on a session basis is outlined  in this programme. In the net situation, the following specifics are recommended:-

   Facilities: Four nets, creases marked, longitudinal lines marked up the wicket to indicate the line of the leg, middle and off-stumps. The ideal length for fast, medium and slow bowlers is shown by areas marked on the pitch. Three of the nets are for normal practice, the video camera operating in the first net. One more of the nets operates with a bowling machine, to work on the batsman’s diagnosed weaknesses.

Coaching aids (other than cricket equipment) required include:- Various balls (cricket, soccer, rugby, tennis, basketball, swingo, incrediball, soft, hard etc); witches’ hats; coloured adhesive tape for use on bats and balls; coloured tops or sashes to identify teams: coloured indicators on the back net showing recommended lines for swing bowlers and spinners; small coloured skittles (painted cardboard cones can be used) for target bowling practice; coloured cords strung across the nets halfway down the pitch, indicating recommended flight loops for slow bowlers; small objects to place behind the batsman’s feet to warn him that he is backing away to square leg against faster bowlers: bowling machine(s) with automatic feeder(s); special balls for bowling machine; a video-tape camera with indoor replay facility close at hand; dossiers on each player.

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