Fielding Development

CATCHING- PRINCIPLES FOR MOVING TO A CATCH
When moving towards a catch, the fielder needs to be aware of the position of the sun and the direction of the wind, relatives to the path of the ball. The fielder should:
Look and listen to get an idea of the impact of the stroke and to track the ball
Move quickly and smoothly to the line and depth of the ball, keeping the hands and arms loose so they can respond smoothly to receive the ball
Run low, so you can accelerate, change direction or drive to receive the catch if required
For difficult catches, slide so the body provides a more stable base for the hands to softly catch the ball.

CATCHING MOVING FORWARD
For catches where you must move forward, you should track the ball with 'relaxed eyes' and run smoothly, staying low. For the difficult catches, you can slide or drive to give a stable base for the hands. Keep your hands and arms soft.

CATCHING MOVING TO THE SIDE
For catches where you need to move sideways, you should run quickly and smoothly and 'round up' the ball, keeping your hands and arms soft. For difficult catches, slide or use a shoulder roll to keep the body steady and control the ball.

CATCHING MOVING BACK
For catches where you need to move backward, you should turn on your side and run smoothly with the ball, in the direction the ball is moving overhead. Keep your hands and arms soft.

ATTACKING GROUND FIELDING - TRIPOD POSITIONING
For a fielder who throws with the right hand, the tripod position is formed when the right foot is behind the line of the ball, the left foot is to the side and more advanced than the right foot to give a slight side -on body position, and the hands receiving the ball form the third part of the tripod.
To use the tripod position in an offensive ground-fielding situation, begin by tracking a spot on the ball, or the seam of the ball. Run low, with knees bent and hips low, and if necessary run around the ball to round it up, so the ball is received on the throwing-arm side in the tripod position. With hands soft and in front of the body, collect the ball in the tripod position, funnel the ball to the waist and then to shoulder level as the crow-hop os used to engage the whole body in the throw to the target.

Batting Development

TECHNICAL PHASES OF A BATTING STROKE
The distinct phases of a batting stroke are:
BACK-SWING - The back-swing should be guided by the top hand, to establish a foundation for a fluent vertical -bat shot, or both hands can combine for a horizontal or cross-bat stroke to a short or full-pitched ball. The batsman should rely on the senses to guide the movement.
DECISION-MAKING - You should rely on your senses to guide decision-making and your movement.
DOWNSWING - The downswing should be coordinated with the movement of the feet so the momentum of the body can be applied to the stroke at impact, and to allow fluency and generate power.
FOLLOW-THROUGH - During the follow-through, the batsman's balance should be maintained to achieve fluency in stroke-making.

GRIP WITH GUIDING TOP HAND
The top hand on the bat, which is left hand for a right-hand batsman, is important in guiding the swing of the bat through the direction of the stroke. This is especially so with vertical-bat strokes to well-directed balls. With the horizontal-bat strokes, to less well-directed balls, both hands are important and the bottom hand supplies added power.

Wrist Spin Development

WRIST-SPIN DELIVERY TYPES
A wrist-spinner can use several delivery types, including the leg-break, top-spinner, wrong'un, and flipper or backspinner.

PHASES OF WRIST-SPIN BOWLING ACTION
There are four distinct phases of the wrist-spin bowler's action
APPROACH- The approach should be short and efficient, just long enough to provide balance and build rhythm and momentum that can be transferred to the ball at delivery.
GATHER- The gather is the all-important transition from the run-up to the delivery, as the bowler springs or leaps off the front foot to swivel in the air and land on the back foot immediately prior to delivery.
DELIVERY STRIDE AND RELEASE- The delivery stride is longer for most wrist-spinners than finger-spinners. This is the time when the rhythm and momentum developed during the run-up is transferred and applied to the ball on release. This transfer is maximized by the rhythmical pivot on the front leg.
FOLLOW THROUGH- The follow through occurs as the back leg continues forward and across the body after release. After the back foot lands following the release of the ball, the bowler may take another step or two or may spring to the 'ready position' to the field or catch after the batsman plays a shot. At this stage, the bowler becomes a key player in the fielding team, particularly in relation to strokes in the direction of the bowler or for returns from the field if there is the chance of a run-out at the non-striker's end.

PRACTICAL PRINCIPLE OF WRIST-SPIN BOWLING

• Develop a feel for the ball, with the dynamic double-hinge action that comes from finger strength and the wrist-snap producing spin and 'fizz' to make the delivery lively and venomous
• Spin the ball hard, to achieve flight, rift, drop and sharp turn
• Understand that spin and flight(drift, drop and hang0 are dependent upon the direction and amount of spin imparted and the body action.
• Develop a strong spinning leg-break as a stock ball
• Develop a big spinning leg-break with maximum revolutions
• Develop variations of spin, pace, flight/drift, and trajectory
• Practice bowling at targets to refine accuracy with all deliveries, while also maintaining the capacity to spin the ball sharply
• Develop their own points of difference

VARIATION

STOCK DELIVERIES

A spinner's stock delivery serves as the foundation for adding subtle variations of flight and pace. A stock leg-spin delivery should be strong-spinning leg-break that can be bowled with confidence in various situations. A stock finger-spin delivery should be a strong-spinning off-break that can provide the basis upon which variations of spin and flight can be developed and perfected.

BOWLING TO INTENDED TARGET

A spinner must be able to exert pressure on the batsman and the batting team by bowling as accurately as possible, thereby minimizing the number of loose deliveries and making the batsman play at the ball. The constant aim is to pitch the ball where the batsman will be uncomfortable and will be undecided as to whether to defend or attack.

WRIST-SPIN WITH FLIGHT AND PACE VARIATIONS

Wrist-spin should be bowled with variations of flight and pace to create different trajectory, spin, and bounce. Wrist-can is bowled with different blends of spin, flight, and pace to create different flights paths, in terms of drift and drop, and then different amount of turn and bounce.

ATTACKING AND DEFENSIVE FIELDS FOR FINGER-SPIN

Attacking fields for finger-spin bowling will have more fielders in catching positions and saving singles in the infield ring, in order to put more pressure on the batsman. As with wrist-spinning, the bowler should resist the temptation to reduce the spin of the ball and therefore the wicket-taking potential simply to increase accuracy. If the bowler is using a line outside off stump, the batsman is encouraged to play against the spin and into the off side, to a 5/4 or 6/3 balance.

The defensive field setting for finger-spin also depends on the bowling line. If bowling an outside off-stump line, the usual defensive field will have a 5/4 balance (or a 6/3 balance for more accurate bowlers).

Finger Spin Development

 FINGER-SPIN DELIVERY TYPES

A finger-spinner can use several delivery types, including the off-break, arm ball, and doosra.

PHASES OF FINGER-SPIN BOWLING ACTION

APPROACH- The approach should be short and efficient, just long enough to provide balance and build rhythm and momentum that can be transferred to the ball at delivery.

GATHER-  The gather is the all-important transition from the run-up to the delivery, as the bowler springs or leaps off the front foot to swivel in the air and land on the back foot immediately prior to delivery.

DELIVERY STRIDE- The delivery stride will be similar to that used by wrist-spinners except that for a finger-spinners refer to 'digging a trench' as they pivot on their front foot and achieve a dynamic twist with the body, in order to transfer momentum to the spinning of the ball at release.

FOLLOW THROUGH- The follow-through will be similar to that used by wrist-spinners. Most finger-spinners pivot dynamically around the front foot at the release of the delivery and immediately spring into the 'ready position', with both feet in front of the batting crease at the non-striker's end, ready to play a role in the field.

PRACTICAL PRINCIPLE OF FINGER-SPIN BOWLING

• Develop finger strength and their wrist action
• Spin the ball hard, to achieve flight, drift, drop and sharp turn
• Develop the ability to maximize spin by imparting the maximum revolutions, to generate drift, drop and turn
• Develop a strong spinning stock ball
• Develop big spinning off-break
• Develop variations of spin, pace, flight/drift, and trajectory
• Bowl at targets to refine accuracy while maintaining the big-spinning capacity
• Develop an arm-ball that can be bowled at different speeds to suit circumstances
• Develop their own points of difference

VARIATION
STOCK DELIVERIES
A spinner's stock delivery serves as the foundation for adding subtle variations of flight and pace. A stock leg-spin delivery should be strong-spinning leg-break that can be bowled with confidence in various situations. A stock finger-spin delivery should be a strong-spinning off-break that can provide the basis upon which variations of spin and flight can be developed and perfected.

BOWLING TO INTENDED TARGET
A spinner must be able to exert pressure on the batsman and the batting team by bowling as accurately as possible, thereby minimizing the number of loose deliveries and making the batsman play at the ball. The constant aim is to pitch the ball where the batsman will be uncomfortable and will be undecided as to whether to defend or attack.

FINGER-SPIN WITH FLIGHT AND PACE VARIATIONS
Finger-spin should be bowled with different combinations of spin and flight, in order to produce different trajectories and different amounts of turn and bounce. This provides variety in deliveries and develops uncertainty in the mind of the batsman.

ATTACKING AND DEFENSIVE FIELDS FOR FINGER-SPIN
Attacking fields for finger-spin bowling will have more fielders in catching positions and saving singles in the infield ring, in order to put more pressure on the batsman. As with wrist-spinning, the bowler should resist the temptation to reduce the spin of the ball and therefore the wicket-taking potential simply to increase accuracy. If the bowler is using a line outside off stump, the batsman is encouraged to play against the spin and into the off side, to a 5/4 or 6/3 balance.

The defensive field setting for finger-spin also depends on the bowling line. If bowling an outside off-stump line, the usual defensive field will have a 5/4 balance (or a 6/3 balance for more accurate bowlers).

Pace Bowling Development

BALANCED AND ALIGNED ACTION TO RELEASE UPRIGHT SEAM
Pace bowlers need to focus their attention and direct all body movements through the target, as the aim is to bowl each delivery past the batsman to the wicketkeeper or to hit the stumps. The direction of the upright seam determines the shape of the delivery.

FAST, MEDIUM-FAST AND MEDIUM CATEGORIES
Pace bowlers are generally classified in one of the three categories, based on their speed:

• A fast bowler is usually athletic, strong and physically explosive; aims to hit the pitch hard and surprise the batsman with pace and bounce, and their change of pace can be very damaging
• A medium-fast bowler is generally strong and physically assertive and should develop subtle variations of pace, combined with swing and cut
• A medium-pace bowler is typically strong with good endurance and should develop accuracy combine with subtle variations of pace, swing, cut and tactics 

PRINCIPLES AND OBJECTIVES OF PACE BOWLING

To maximize their chances of succeeding, pace bowlers need to:

• Have an economical run-up to build momentum to the delivery stride, with a smooth follow-through
• Be able to bowl a stock ball with accuracy and variation
• Develop weapons for wicket-taking balls, which may include accuracy, change of pace, swing, cut and surprise
• Assess each batsman to identify their preferences, preliminary movements, concentration levels, strengths, weaknesses, and vulnerabilities
• Have a strong concentration and focus
• Make use of a physical training program and practice program

INTENDED TARGET AREAS

The basic area at which a pace bowler should aim just short of a good length on off stump. However, because all batsmen are unique, the bowler must be able, depending on the preferences, preliminary movements, strengths and weaknesses of the batsman. The area considered a 'good length' may vary for each individual batsman.

VARIATION

USE OF MOVEMENT IN THE AIR

Swing is a very important weapon for a pace bowler but the bowler must also realize that some conditions will make it difficult to swing the ball. The bowler's accuracy and control of pace must be developed so that he/she can contend with each batsman and each situation. While accuracy and the ability to consistently bowl a stock ball are important in building the pressure on the batsman, subtle changes of pace are essential to keep the batsman guessing. Any plan must be supported by a well-placed field to apply pressure- catches and run-outs often result from the pressure that the bowler and the fielders exert.

When the conditions to allow for swing bowling, it is important that the bowler maintains an upright seam. The seam acts as a rudder and helps to direct the swing.

SWING BOWLING

OUTSWING

To bowl outswing (for a right-arm bowler) the ball should be gripped with a seam angled to point at third slip. At release, the first finger leaves the ball last to keep the seam steady and upright. The bowler should then follow through in the direction of the desired swing.

INSWING

To bowl inswing (for a right-arm bowler) the ball should be gripped with the seam angled to point at to fine leg. At release, the second finger leaves the ball last to keep the seam steady and upright in the direction of fine leg. The bowler should then follow through through the back leg (right leg) in the direction of the desired swing.

Swing bowling aids should be introduced to demonstrate the importance of the upright seam and to enable the bowlers to experiences methods to keep the seam upright throughout its flight. These can include wooden discs, flat boot-polish tins (to simulate the upright seam), waffle balls, airflow balls or tennis balls with one side taped to facilitate the swing.

STANDARD FIELD PLACEMENTS FOR SWING BOWLING

Standard field placements for swing bowling should be based upon normal 5/4 off-side balance, with more close-catching fielders on the side of the wicket to which the ball is more commonly swinging.

USING LINE TO RESTRICT SCORING OPPORTUNITIES

Pace bowlers can restrict scoring opportunities for the batsmen by bowling outside off stump with a strong off-side field

Another option is to bowl middle and leg, with a strong leg-side field. This is especially useful for a batsman who has difficulty with deliveries pitched in this area, in some cases because they make an early commitment forward and have to play around their front leg. 

Tactical - 1

RUNNING BETWEEN THE WICKETS

PRINCIPLES AND OBJECTIVES OF RUNNING BETWEEN THE WICKET
When running between the wickets, the batsman should:

• Make the decision as quickly as possible on whether to run or not
• Communicate clearly with your batting partner with the calls 'Yes', or 'No', or 'Wait'.
• Run the first run hard
• Turn low, facing the direction of the ball, Place the bat over the batting crease and stay low to accelerate quickly into the next run

CALLING
Call clearly and support the call with a hand signal, if appropriate. The calls that should be used are 'Yes', or 'No', or 'Wait'.

RUNNING WITH THE BAT
Run with the bat held across the body, with the bottom hand holding the blade, to provide a balanced sprit- running position.

SILIDING THE BAT
Slide the bat into the crease when sprinting to avoid a potential run-out. With the bat held in the top hand, and weight projected forward, extend the bat towards the batting crease, with the side/edge of the bat landing before the crease and sliding over the crease. Ensure that it continues to slide until your feet are safely over the crease.

Cricket Drills

To be a good cricket player requires:

Good hand-eye coordination
The ability to throw and catch a ball
Good batting and bowling technique
The ability to concentrate for sometimes long periods of time
Below we’ll practice exercises that develop skills 1-2. Good concentration is a skill that can only be developed over time.

DRILL 1 BATTING: HAND EYE CO-ORDINATION AND BATTING TECHNIQUE.
The late great Don Bradman used to do this exercise every day as a kid (and it sure worked for him).

Stand about 4 meters back from a concrete wall and hit a tennis ball into the wall. When the ball rebounds hit it again.
When hitting face side on to the wall, feet shoulder width apart, bat lifted ready to hit the ball. As you hit the ball keep your front elbow up and hit straight through the ball so it bounces once before hitting the wall.
Try to hit the ball as many times as possible before you lose control and you can even compete against your friends to see who can get the highest number of hits.
As you improve try using a golf ball to increase the difficulty.


DRILL 2 FIELDING: HAND-EYE COORDINATION, THROWING, AND CATCHING
“Catches win matches” as the old saying goes so improving hand-eye coordination for catching is very important.

Place two balls on the ground 3 meters in front of a wall.
Pick up the first ball throw it at the wall, clap your hands and the catch the ball with two hands as it rebounds off the wall.
Then place the ball back on the ground, run to a marker behind you 10 meters away from the wall and run back to the second ball.
Pick up the second ball throw it at the wall, clap your hands and catch the ball with one hand.
Place the ball on the ground, run back to the 10-meter marker and return to the first ball, and repeat.
Aim to increase speed and go as many times as you can without dropping the ball.
You can also practice catching with your non-dominant hand at the second ball station.

DRILL  3: BOWLING TECHNIQUE
Learning a proper cricket bowling technique can be difficult for beginners so it’s important to start slowly, get the technique right and then worry about the accuracy of the bowl later. The “Rock and Bowl” is a great learners drill.

Stand side on to the batsmen/wickets with your dominant hand at the back.
Hold the ball with both hands under your chin and turn your head sideways to face the batsmen/target.
Rock back and forth transferring weight from the front foot to the back foot in a smooth consistent motion.
Now as you rock back to end your back arm and when you rock forward let to your front arm extend and pull down and your back arm comes over your head and releases the ball in the direction of the batsmen.
This will take patience and practice to feel comfortable and it’s important to watch your favorite bowlers to see their techniques for some extra tips.

Practicing these 3 drills regularly will give the basic skills of cricket