Sidearm

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someblokecalleddave

someblokecalleddave

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Just got one of these for practicing with the kids and vice versa. The one we've got is the 'Pro' model and I've had a bit of a practice with it over the last few days and its pretty good. At the moment I'm still getting used to it and I produce the occasional beamer or wide ball. We've found that you can use windballs and similar as well as cricket balls and hockey balls all with the same pro model. With very little effort you can get the ball travelling at very fast speeds and good accuracy and it looks like the longer term prospects (e.g. by the spring) look promising as by then we should have all got pretty adept at using it and it'll help us in preparing to face seamers in the coming season.

Its increadibly fast even in the hands of a 13 year old and its got me wondering how on earth people play fast bowlers - something I may have to ask on the batting threads! Has anyone else used these either in personal one to one situations or in club scenarios and how useful do you think they are?
 
Yes I got one for Christmas it's hard to get first up I've. Only used in for 10 mins and I've got in pretty well down still have the odd shocker when I try to make it heaps fast but batting against it its amazing it's quick gets swing seam and kicks
One time when I was batting it was short ball when to hook it it kicked so much my pull ended up being a defense and my hand going in front of my face and got hit on my top hand
 
swingking01 said:
Yes I got one for Christmas it's hard to get first up I've. Only used in for 10 mins and I've got in pretty well down still have the odd shocker when I try to make it heaps fast but batting against it its amazing it's quick gets swing seam and kicks
One time when I was batting it was short ball when to hook it it kicked so much my pull ended up being a defense and my hand going in front of my face and got hit on my top hand
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Are you just using it with cricket balls or some other type. I read the safety details today that come with it today and they recommend that it should only be used with training balls for under 16's because it is so fast.
 
Yer I just use a normal cricket ball it's not overly quick cause my step dad hasn't got a strong arm his popped his shoulder a couple of times but if someone with a good arm used it I might not be as keen

But I don't see why it's for under 16s because u still get quick bowlers not 80 mph but still I want to be able to hit that cause than the quick under 14 bowlers seem heaps slow
 
My lads are bowlers aged 10 and 13 and they like me and bat at No.10 or 11 and don't do so well at facing pace bowlers and I'm thinking that perhaps I could work up to the sidearm over the summer. In the short term it struck me that the dog thrower devices (see below) could be used in conjunction with the slazenger red slaz balls - http://www.sportsdirect.com/slazenger-red-ball-859164 these are low bounce and heavy and would fit in the dog throwers. Anyone tried this or has a dog and has got one of these and can go out and see if there's any potential for accuracy like the Sidearm?

http://www.buzzillions.com/reviews/...ga-ball-launcher-reviews#bz-comments-27688460
 
Ive been on youtube and found vids promoting or people using the dog versions of these and asked them all if they reckon there's any potential for accuracy with them. Have to wait and see what they say.
 
Update.

I've found the solution. I've had a go today with the heavy tennis balls from Slazenger http://www.sportsdirect.com/slazenger-red-ball-859164 and these work with the Pro Sidearm as do the Readers Windballs, so that's it resolved. The Pro side arm can be used with a range of balls - Cricket balls and I reckon junior cricket balls (4.74oz) as well as there not as small as the Slazenger Red cricket tennis balls and these work fine. So overall the pro-side arm seems to be the one to get as its pretty versatile.
 
Crickethead1997 said:
Do the side arm work? Are they better than bowling machines to use?
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Yeah, they definitely work and they're a good tool. They take a little practice to use especially if you're mixing types of balls, but if you were to stick with one type of ball in a practice session you might find you're able to hit a goo line and length within just a few goes, a bloke used mine today and he was doing well with it after only 4 balls. They're different to bowling machines in that a sidearm's £30 and a bowling machine is £1500 or more. Additionally they're easy to use - no electric etc and they have the human aspect, you decide where you want the ball from ball to ball, so it kind of recreates a real batting scenario. A bowling machine is easier though in some respects as they are easily configured to bowl in a variety of ways and speeds. The sidearm allegedly is as versatile, but how long it takes you to learn how to bowl spin with one is something I've not explored yet. The ease of use of the sidearm is a key factor and I reckon if your club can't stretch to a bowling machine a sidearm is an incredibly good alternative option.

I think the potential best use of the side arm is where you've got one to one scenarios - e.g. a Dad and his son, not everyone can bow decent pace in those kind of situations, but with a sidearm your Grandad could bowl pace at you accurately at 50-60mph!
 
Hey guys, I am thinking of buying a sidearm pro and they sound like they are definitely worth the money! Can they bowl decent speeds and are they fairly easy to bowl spin and swing?. Also is it a lot easier on your arm than bowling or throwing a normal cricket ball?
 
cricketkid101 said:
Hey guys, I am thinking of buying a sidearm pro and they sound like they are definitely worth the money! Can they bowl decent speeds and are they fairly easy to bowl spin and swing?. Also is it a lot easier on your arm than bowling or throwing a normal cricket ball?
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Yep they bowl at high speeds, an adult can quite easily get the ball up to 80mph with little effort - have a look at the vids on Youtube. I've not tried it with spin in mind, but apparently you can, my son has done it a couple of times. Swing is easy enough and yes it's about 1/30th of the effort required to bowl normally, it's a superb bit of kit, it takes a little time to get used to it, but once you do, the accuracy it incredible.
 
Guys may not be in right section. But I was wondering how you determine wether you are a specialist batsman or bowler or all rounder . Or are you even batsman all rounder or so many other different types of all rounders.
 
TheAussieGuy said:
Guys may not be in right section. But I was wondering how you determine wether you are a specialist batsman or bowler or all rounder . Or are you even batsman all rounder or so many other different types of all rounders.
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I've replied to your email as well as here. It sounds as though you may have only just started playing, in which case, it's a case of trying all of the different bowling disciplines and seeing if you're any good at them and then spending some time honing your skills in the one that you choose to specialise in. With batting its probably the case that you're either going to be useless and therefore specialise as a bowler or you'll be okay/goood at it. If it turns out that you're okay, with coaching and practice you will probably improve steadily.

How long have you been playing and are you in a team?
 
I don't have team but do a lot of nets sessions. I am a quick and alright bowler and quite a good batsman. I have never. Had proper coaching. But my dad coaches me. Thx
 
TheAussieGuy said:
I don't have team but do a lot of nets sessions. I am a quick and alright bowler and quite a good batsman. I have never. Had proper coaching. But my dad coaches me. Thx
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Yeah just see how it goes as you get older, the main thing when you're young is to just enjoy it and play at your best abilities and try things out. My sons who are 14 and 11 are at different stages, the older one is definitely a seam bowler, but still messes around bowling spin sometimes and the younger one who's the same age as you is undecided, but will probably end up being a finger spinner I reckon, but who knows, we'll have to see how he gets on this season here.
 
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