Basic of Pace Bowling

PRINCIPLE AND OBJECTIVES OF PACE BOWLING
Pace bowlers play a major role in the success of a fielding team. They should be encouraged to develop their own individual style and flow, However, while that freedom is important, all pace bowlers should be:
1. Put pressure on each batsman and on the batting team, which helps to take wickets and restrict scoring.
2. Build momentum by applying this pressure continuously.
3. Work with the fielders by bowling accurately and to the field, to increase the chances of the ball being hit to the fielders.
4. Display concentration and mental visual focus, which is necessary for the bowler to compete with the batting side while collaborating with the fielding side.
5. Maintain a smooth approach, delivery, and follow-through
6. Plan beyond the next ball; plan for a sequence of deliveries and a set of overs.

EQUIPMENT FOR PACE BOWLING
For training purposes,
1. Boots
2. Ball
3. Coaching ball (two colors) to the channel the seam
4. Bowling targets for accuracy and variations (swing, cut)
5. Access to stretching and strengthening equipment.

PHASES OF THE BOWLING ACTION
here are four distinct phases of the pace bowler's action.

• Approach/Run-up - It should be just long enough to achieve rhythm, balance and to build up Momentum to applied to the delivery action. 
• Gather/coil - The gather is the transition from the approach to delivery. This is when the bowler leaps off the front foot to give important drive into delivery action.
• Delivery - The delivery begins when the back foot lands. It is vital that the momentum that is built up through the approach and leaps to gather continues smoothly through the delivery so that momentum isn't wasted through rough movements.
• Follow through - It must be smooth to allow the easing fo the force that has been built up, in order to reduce wear and tear on the body. Follow through should continue for several meters in the direction of offside slips.

GRIP - for upright seam

The ball should be held comfortably in the forefingers, with the index and middle fingers aligned with the seam. The thumb should be in the balancing position, under the ball, and the hand and wrist should be loose, like a whip. It is important to practice maintaining an upright seam, steering the ball and channeling the seam.

STANDARD FIELD PLACEMENT FOR PACE BOWLING

1. Successful pace bowlers usually work to an off-side field with a 5/4 balance.

2. More accurate outswing bowlers can work effectively to a 6/3 off-side filed.

3. It is typically not advisable to bowl to a leg-side field, although inswing bowlers might occasionally wish to employ a 4/5 leg-side field.

BOWLING A STOCK BALL

The pace bowler's stock ball is whatever delivery he/she can bowl consistently to put pressure on the batsmen. Usually, it is a delivery that the bowler is comfortable bowling and which can be adapted to produce variations that may surprise the batsmen and create more pressure.

This is the basics of the fast bowling. Follow this regularly to become a professional fast bowler. Keep practicing.