Left Arm Chinaman

You were probably so good you didn't need to change your angle.

Over the wicket for the majority of the time to left and righthanders is best and proven but every wrist spinner eventually has to learn to use all the crease in their quest for world domination.

If I had been that good I wouldn't have switched to orthodox SLA instead! :D

It's damn useful to still be able to bowl a surprise chinaman every couple of overs though.
 
hi guys.
i cant seem to log on with facebook so i created another account. here is my video slowed down...hopefully you guys can pick apart what I'm doing wrong. would love to improve during this xmas break and get back to the season as a better bowler.


enjoy! and thank you in advance!


On initial viewing what i liked straight away is it looks like a well grooved and consistently repeatable sort of action. Bit hard to tell in slomo if you are putting in enough energy and follow through.

I will have a another look tonight and freeze frame a bit and tell you what i reckon.

How has your season been going?
 
On initial viewing what i liked straight away is it looks like a well grooved and consistently repeatable sort of action. Bit hard to tell in slomo if you are putting in enough energy and follow through.

I will have a another look tonight and freeze frame a bit and tell you what i reckon.

How has your season been going?

thanks macca. I haven't been able to bowl this season. well actually only bowled about 6 overs this season. I think the captain is not very spin savvy. And since i've made a few runs batting, they have now got me opening and i think people have forgotten that I'm a bowler. It's frustrating since I've always wanted to play turf, and now that I'm, it's because of my batting not bowling!

by the way, here is a normal speed bowling action of mine.



and did you ever see ray bright bowl? he is available for coaching but it's quite steeply priced so i was wondering if you had any input regarding private coaching!

thanks macca.
 
thanks macca. I haven't been able to bowl this season. well actually only bowled about 6 overs this season. I think the captain is not very spin savvy. And since i've made a few runs batting, they have now got me opening and i think people have forgotten that I'm a bowler. It's frustrating since I've always wanted to play turf, and now that I'm, it's because of my batting not bowling!

by the way, here is a normal speed bowling action of mine.



and did you ever see ray bright bowl? he is available for coaching but it's quite steeply priced so i was wondering if you had any input regarding private coaching!

thanks macca.


I remember seeing "candles" bowling back in the 70's but i have also seen him coach. He did a spin clinic with the shaun brown coaching cavalcade a few years back in Newcastle.

It was for the older spinners so my son didn't get in the group but i watched it for a while and he was demonstrating stand start drill and getting the boys to really lift their left leg and arm in the drill.

I dont know how much he charges but a session with someone like ray bright would probably be well worth the cost.
 
hey guys. sorry, ive been away from the site for a while because of exams but im back. I have just uploaded some videos of my action on youtube...feel free to rip into my action...im willing to start all over again if i have to.
here are the links:




let me know if the videos need to be better for the analysis...
any help would be greatly appreciated...thanks guys!

thats at cragieburn yeah?
 
I just got back from the nets today where, while warming down from my pace bowling, I discovered that I can bowl a very effective chinaman delivery if I used my middle finger as the spinning finger instead of my ring finger. As stoked as I am to be getting so much turn, I can't help but think that it's an unusual method to use (to go with the unorthodox bowling style, I'm sure), as I always thought the ring finger was meant to be your spinning finger. I have long fingers, though, and I think that with my natural grip, my middle finger is in a better position to put the rotations on the ball; I tried using my ring finger for a few balls, and not only was it uncomfortable in my hand, I was spraying the deliveries all over the place.

I wouldn't mind hearing some other thoughts on the "correct" spinning finger to use, but I'm still over the moon that I've added another weapon to my bowling arsenal in the last few weeks. :D
 
I just got back from the nets today where, while warming down from my pace bowling, I discovered that I can bowl a very effective chinaman delivery if I used my middle finger as the spinning finger instead of my ring finger. As stoked as I am to be getting so much turn, I can't help but think that it's an unusual method to use (to go with the unorthodox bowling style, I'm sure), as I always thought the ring finger was meant to be your spinning finger. I have long fingers, though, and I think that with my natural grip, my middle finger is in a better position to put the rotations on the ball; I tried using my ring finger for a few balls, and not only was it uncomfortable in my hand, I was spraying the deliveries all over the place.

I wouldn't mind hearing some other thoughts on the "correct" spinning finger to use, but I'm still over the moon that I've added another weapon to my bowling arsenal in the last few weeks. :D

Kerry O Keefe bowled his legbreaks just like you described. Apart from him I cant think of any others that spun off their middle fingers and got to the top level.
 
I just got back from the nets today where, while warming down from my pace bowling, I discovered that I can bowl a very effective chinaman delivery if I used my middle finger as the spinning finger instead of my ring finger. As stoked as I am to be getting so much turn, I can't help but think that it's an unusual method to use (to go with the unorthodox bowling style, I'm sure), as I always thought the ring finger was meant to be your spinning finger. I have long fingers, though, and I think that with my natural grip, my middle finger is in a better position to put the rotations on the ball; I tried using my ring finger for a few balls, and not only was it uncomfortable in my hand, I was spraying the deliveries all over the place.

I wouldn't mind hearing some other thoughts on the "correct" spinning finger to use, but I'm still over the moon that I've added another weapon to my bowling arsenal in the last few weeks. :D
I also use my middle finger to bowl leg-spin
 
I also use my middle finger to bowl leg-spin

When I bowled exclusively wrist spin I used my third finger (the orthodox way), but now I use it as a variation of finger spin I spin it off my middle finger - you don't have to change the grip and its a lot easier to disguise as a result.
 
According to "Twirlymen" South Africa's Paul Adams used a grip where he held the ball with thumb and middle finger wrapped around the seam which allowed him to spin both ways with only a small adjustment, but I don't think he's a bowler you'd want to model yourself on!
 
According to "Twirlymen" South Africa's Paul Adams used a grip where he held the ball with thumb and middle finger wrapped around the seam which allowed him to spin both ways with only a small adjustment, but I don't think he's a bowler you'd want to model yourself on!
Still, he's the second best South African test spinner according to the stats.
 
Hi guys,
i have just found this site, and it is an absolute beauty. I've picked up a lot of tips already so thank you all :) I'm hoping someone can help me with a few of my queries. I will be posting a video very soon.
I can't seem to spin my stock ball alot. My googly spins alot more. and, i was also wondering, what is the correct line for me to bowl my stock delivery if I'm left arm over the wicket.
any help would be greatly appreciated.
Thank you

Hi, I've been trying to work out how to post for the last half hour, and this seems the only way using my phone - so sorry if its in the wrong place. I am mum to an 11yr old chinaman unorthodox bowler who was spotted by our New Zealand cricket pro at his school last year. Trist was v excited about my sons bowling last summer and mentored him while he was in the UK, he coached the NZ team at one point so knows his stuff. He has now retired.

Our new pro from NZ hasn't arrived as his visa wasn't sorted in time and now my son who is captain of his Colts team is starting to lose faith in his bowling. Some coaches are telling him to switch to medium pace as the batsmen are getting too many runs off his balls, he is getting v frustrated but I can see that his bowling is far more natural in spin rather than medium - he looks awkward bowling medium.

Neither my husband or I are cricketers so we are not in a position to help him on the coaching side, I think he needs some very specialist coaching - I'm banging my head against a brick wall slightly as a lot of coaches look a bit blank when I ask for advice. Does anyone have any ideas of who we could approach in the UK for some 1-1 left arm spin coaching?

Yours very gratefully

Chinasmum!
 
Hi, I've been trying to work out how to post for the last half hour, and this seems the only way using my phone - so sorry if its in the wrong place. I am mum to an 11yr old chinaman unorthodox bowler who was spotted by our New Zealand cricket pro at his school last year. Trist was v excited about my sons bowling last summer and mentored him while he was in the UK, he coached the NZ team at one point so knows his stuff. He has now retired.

Our new pro from NZ hasn't arrived as his visa wasn't sorted in time and now my son who is captain of his Colts team is starting to lose faith in his bowling. Some coaches are telling him to switch to medium pace as the batsmen are getting too many runs off his balls, he is getting v frustrated but I can see that his bowling is far more natural in spin rather than medium - he looks awkward bowling medium.

Neither my husband or I are cricketers so we are not in a position to help him on the coaching side, I think he needs some very specialist coaching - I'm banging my head against a brick wall slightly as a lot of coaches look a bit blank when I ask for advice. Does anyone have any ideas of who we could approach in the UK for some 1-1 left arm spin coaching?

Yours very gratefully

Chinasmum!

Whereabouts in the UK are you? Definitely tell him to stick to spin, its worth it in the long run.

Left arm/right arm should be irrelevent, a good spin coach should be able to deal with either.
 
Whereabouts in the UK are you? Definitely tell him to stick to spin, its worth it in the long run.

Left arm/right arm should be irrelevent, a good spin coach should be able to deal with either.
We're in Gloucestershire but would travel during the summer holidays which start in 3 weeks. Thanks for you reply!
 
Hi, I've been trying to work out how to post for the last half hour, and this seems the only way using my phone - so sorry if its in the wrong place. I am mum to an 11yr old chinaman unorthodox bowler who was spotted by our New Zealand cricket pro at his school last year. Trist was v excited about my sons bowling last summer and mentored him while he was in the UK, he coached the NZ team at one point so knows his stuff. He has now retired.

Our new pro from NZ hasn't arrived as his visa wasn't sorted in time and now my son who is captain of his Colts team is starting to lose faith in his bowling. Some coaches are telling him to switch to medium pace as the batsmen are getting too many runs off his balls, he is getting v frustrated but I can see that his bowling is far more natural in spin rather than medium - he looks awkward bowling medium.

Neither my husband or I are cricketers so we are not in a position to help him on the coaching side, I think he needs some very specialist coaching - I'm banging my head against a brick wall slightly as a lot of coaches look a bit blank when I ask for advice. Does anyone have any ideas of who we could approach in the UK for some 1-1 left arm spin coaching?

Yours very gratefully

Chinasmum!

Yeah, this is very common in club cricket, yes in your early days you're going to get slogged and go for runs, whereas later when your mates are far more up for it and fitter/stronger/faster and more agile (14 years old or so) they'll stop the ball and take catches and your role in the game will become integral and strategic. But, unless someone at the club is a spinner and to some extent it may be preferable if they're wrist spinners, you may find that your experience is pretty common here in the UK. For me the main question is - why at this stage is he losing faith, is this an intrinsic reaction or is it extrinsic or a mixture of the two? To bowl spin you need the constitution of an Ox and really love and enjoy it, so that, when you get smashed for 4's and 6's in a game and everyone including your coaches implies or suggests that you change, you simply ignore them and you keep going at it. Generally a coach dealing with a lad his age will do very little other than to encourage him, help him to keep things simple e.g. not go looking to bowl a whole loads of variations, help him with confidence in his current situation and just keep him on track and allow him to see the bigger picture. But, more than anything, it does kind of come down to the individual, he has to enjoy it and love it, which kind of means that his own reaction to being told to consider changing you be one of defiance and determination to stick to it and prove the doubters wrong.
 
Yeah, this is very common in club cricket, yes in your early days you're going to get slogged and go for runs, whereas later when your mates are far more up for it and fitter/stronger/faster and more agile (14 years old or so) they'll stop the ball and take catches and your role in the game will become integral and strategic. But, unless someone at the club is a spinner and to some extent it may be preferable if they're wrist spinners, you may find that your experience is pretty common here in the UK. For me the main question is - why at this stage is he losing faith, is this an intrinsic reaction or is it extrinsic or a mixture of the two? To bowl spin you need the constitution of an Ox and really love and enjoy it, so that, when you get smashed for 4's and 6's in a game and everyone including your coaches implies or suggests that you change, you simply ignore them and you keep going at it. Generally a coach dealing with a lad his age will do very little other than to encourage him, help him to keep things simple e.g. not go looking to bowl a whole loads of variations, help him with confidence in his current situation and just keep him on track and allow him to see the bigger picture. But, more than anything, it does kind of come down to the individual, he has to enjoy it and love it, which kind of means that his own reaction to being told to consider changing you be one of defiance and determination to stick to it and prove the doubters wrong.

If you can keep your head when all about you
Are losing theirs and blaming it on you,
If you can trust yourself when all men doubt you,
But make allowance for their doubting too;
If you can dream - and not make dreams your master;
If you can think - and not make thoughts your aim;
If you can meet with Triumph and Disaster
And treat those two impostors just the same;
If you can fill the unforgiving minute
With sixty seconds' worth of distance run,
Yours is the Earth and everything that's in it,
And - which is more - you'll be a spin bowler, my son!



I always remember that when I've bowled a load of dross and picked up 4-15 with 3 long hops and a full toss.
 
If you can keep your head when all about you
Are losing theirs and blaming it on you,
If you can trust yourself when all men doubt you,
But make allowance for their doubting too;
If you can dream - and not make dreams your master;
If you can think - and not make thoughts your aim;
If you can meet with Triumph and Disaster
And treat those two impostors just the same;
If you can fill the unforgiving minute
With sixty seconds' worth of distance run,
Yours is the Earth and everything that's in it,
And - which is more - you'll be a spin bowler, my son!



I always remember that when I've bowled a load of dross and picked up 4-15 with 3 long hops and a full toss.

That is awesome!! Thanks so much for sending that through, I'll print it off and stick it in his cricket bag, he'll love it. I'll also get him to join you spinners on this forum so he can at least feel he's not alone amongst all the fast guys!
 
Yeah, this is very common in club cricket, yes in your early days you're going to get slogged and go for runs, whereas later when your mates are far more up for it and fitter/stronger/faster and more agile (14 years old or so) they'll stop the ball and take catches and your role in the game will become integral and strategic. But, unless someone at the club is a spinner and to some extent it may be preferable if they're wrist spinners, you may find that your experience is pretty common here in the UK. For me the main question is - why at this stage is he losing faith, is this an intrinsic reaction or is it extrinsic or a mixture of the two? To bowl spin you need the constitution of an Ox and really love and enjoy it, so that, when you get smashed for 4's and 6's in a game and everyone including your coaches implies or suggests that you change, you simply ignore them and you keep going at it. Generally a coach dealing with a lad his age will do very little other than to encourage him, help him to keep things simple e.g. not go looking to bowl a whole loads of variations, help him with confidence in his current situation and just keep him on track and allow him to see the bigger picture. But, more than anything, it does kind of come down to the individual, he has to enjoy it and love it, which kind of means that his own reaction to being told to consider changing you be one of defiance and determination to stick to it and prove the doubters wrong.

Huge thanks for your reply, he's read it, had a little smile and seems more determined than ever. He is captaining his team this season and I guess with the fast bowlers getting more wickets than him, he's feeling the pressure a little, but maybe that's why they put him as skipper, as he can do something different to the norm?! Anyway I really just wanted him to read that what he was feeling and doing was normal for a spinner of his age and it's good for him to be told to keep at it by anyone other than his parents!!
 
Hi Chinasmum.

Does your son have The Art of Wrist Spin bowling by Philpott? I suspect the answer is yes, but if not it buy it for him and it will help him persevere and get through the tough times. It's the next best thing to having a coach.
 
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