trouble batting

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Re: trouble batting

Extreme Pace;293802 said:
Just on Saturday I scored 19 runs but one thing that anoyed me was that the ball before I got out, I tried to hook a bouncer which I missed and hit me on the helmet. I also got hit in the arm by a short ball and now I have just got no idea what to do when a bouncer is being bowled which might hit me in the head, is there anything that I should know about facing a bouncer because I don't mind pulling a ball that is around my chest.
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Number one most important thing about hooking: Get your body inside the line of the ball. If you're a right hander, think about getting into a position where the ball is on a line three to six inches to left of your head (and the opposite if you're a left hander). That way you'll avoid getting sconned, and be in the best possible position to control the shot, rather than swinging wildly at it in hope/ blind fear.

Oh, and if for whatever thousand possible reasons you are not able to get yourself inside the line of the ball, then LEAVE IT. Or else you'll get sconned time and time again. There's absolutely nothing wrong with leaving a genuine, well delivered short ball. Even the best players of the hook and pull shot can't smash every delivery that doesn't pitch in their half.
 
Re: trouble batting

underrated;293795 said:
hi ive been opening the batting for my club. im not confident driving so i go half hearted and always get caught. does anyone know how to stop this.
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Are you not confident with your batting in general or just driving? If it's only when driving the ball, what is it that makes you feel unsure?
 
Re: trouble batting

Extreme Pace;293802 said:
Just on Saturday I scored 19 runs but one thing that anoyed me was that the ball before I got out, I tried to hook a bouncer which I missed and hit me on the helmet. I also got hit in the arm by a short ball and now I have just got no idea what to do when a bouncer is being bowled which might hit me in the head, is there anything that I should know about facing a bouncer because I don't mind pulling a ball that is around my chest.
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There are two issues here, one is technique, the second is a slight fear of the ball, especially after you've been hit.

I would suggest going back to basics. Have you coach/friend throw a tennis ball at your head from about 10 metres away. Gradually increase the pace, then move onto a hard ball, then overarm bowling. If you have access to a bowling machine then use that.

Wear a helmet all the way through though. This should help you get used to seeing the ball coming at head height and give you a chance to look at your technique.

In terms of the actual technique, then the key points are to get the back foot back and just outside the line of the ball (this is where your weight will be). Try to keep the balance just forward of the centre of your body, with the shoulder just inside the line of the ball.

You want to be making contacting with the ball just inside the line of your head. Remember to finish the shot with a rotation/spin and hit the ball down.

Remember the Bob Simpson quote:

'You don't need to look good against fast bowling, the secret is too survive it'.
 
Re: trouble batting

mas cambios;293970 said:
Are you not confident with your batting in general or just driving? If it's only when driving the ball, what is it that makes you feel unsure?
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not confident with driving
 
Re: trouble batting

mas cambios;294017 said:
Why do you think it is? What do you think is going wrong with the shot?
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im just sort of thinking twice just before i hit the ball, and that leads me to play it half hearted. and it then pops up to cover.
 
Re: trouble batting

Take it back to the basics. I'll post up some coaching points when I get back from uni but have a think about it and tell me why you think you:

a) Go half-hearted at it
b) Pop the ball up to cover
 
Re: trouble batting

mas cambios;293683 said:
Without seeing you bat then I'd hazard that you have a problem with your head and balance when it comes to shots that you perceive to be hittable to the leg side.

Pick 3 leg side shots (a drive, glance and pull for example) and work on them from scratch. Try having the ball bobble fed fed to you, in order to allow you time to play the shot and ensure you have the right technique. You can can then move on to underarm throws and then onto normal bowling. Also, get someone to watch your head/eyes to see what is happening to them.

Another option is to take guard on leg stump as this will mean more balls will be hittable either to the off side or straight.
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Lol believe it or not I tried it out tonight in the nets and worked a treat, thanks ;)
 
Re: trouble batting

I don't mind driving, as long as I don't have to drive every ball. When I do drive the ball I seem to hit the ball in the air more than I hit the ball on the ground. I think that I can block quite well but I need help with cover driving, flicking the ball off my legs and hooking/ leaving a ball at my head, what should I need to know about these?
 
Re: trouble batting

I'd start with one shot at a time!

Tell me, why do YOU think the ball goes in the air when you're driving? What could you be doing that makes it go in the air/what do YOU think you could do to stop it happening?

(I'll help you but it also helps to get people to think about what they're doing as much as it does for me to give them the answers.)
 
Re: trouble batting

I think that I don't have a big enough stride to the pitch of the ball and when I play the shot, my head is not over the ball like it should be.
 
Re: trouble batting

I agree 100% with the head thing, although the stride forward is of less importance.

What I suggest is the following:

Start off by hitting the ball off a batting tee (or an upturned paper cup). This will put the ball at a nice height and allow you to work on your technique. Once you're hitting the ball confidently and along the ground (don't forget to practice lofting the ball as well, this is an important skill) move on to having someone dropping the ball as your feet.

Again, once happy move onto a slow underarm feed, then to a throw before finally working up to full bowling.

Use target areas (two cones are ideal) to help you learn where to place the ball, this can also be a way of learning how to play the various drives (off drive will have the target on the off side, straight drive somewhere past the bowler etc).

You can increase the pressure on yourself by using different coloured tennis balls that correspond to each target (so a red ball for a straight drive, yellow for the off, blue for a lofted shot and so on). This will help to get you thinking about the shot and help you when it comes to matches.

Key points to remember are:

Relaxed balanced stance, head still and eyes level

Eyes fixed on ball throughout

Bent front knee and a comfortable forward stride

Head over ball

Back heel slightly raised and a relaxed bottom hand

Give all of the above ago and see of you find an improvement.
 
Re: trouble batting

Just touching on your points MC, I think it is also important to when playing the shot to keep your front elbow bent to a 45 degree angle (or there abouts depending) and to bring your hands through the shot.

Also using your top hand for power is a must. Too much bottom hand will result in 'playing across the line' as you will close the face of your bat and it will also limit the range of areas to place your shot.
 
Re: trouble batting

I've cut on twice this year. Sort of the knee on the ground trying to square cut it.

Probably shouldn't be playing it that early in an innings anyway.
 
Re: trouble batting

If you are square cutting the ball you may not be getting your front foot across far enough. (EG Plonking the front foot straight down the wicket when it should be pointing at wide mid off.)

Try getting some throwdowns or a bowling machine and just practise hitting through the ball with the full face of the bat.

OR if your trying to play a cut shot off the back foot you may be trying to cut something that is too close to you.

Are you ending up on your knee to play this shot because the ball is not high enough?

Sorry if this answer isn't straight I am a little confused if you mean a square drive or a square cut because you said you have your knee on the ground when you play it. :confused:
 
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