PitchVision Coach Education

5 Simple Steps to Become the Master of the Legside Stumping

David.Hinchliffe — Thu, 17 May 2012 08:19:46 +0100

The legside stumping is one of cricket's finest sights. I know as a former wicketkeeper I’m biased, but it’s a skill that turns games. It’s achievable by all keepers if these sound rules are followed:

1. You can't catch what you can’t see

Many keepers see the ball going down the legside and head off blindly to take the ball without gathering enough information. The result is that they get stuck behind the line of the batter and then we see a pair of gloves appear from behind the batsman grabbing blindly at thin air.

Stay on the offside of the batter for as long as possible in order to gather the information that tells you of where the ball will be at ball take. Then you aren't guessing when you move down the legside. You move across smoothly and with confidence, the ball nestles in the gloves.

2. Panther-like lateral movement

Move across to the legside of the batter using a low movement pattern (like a hunting panther) keeping your head and hands low enabling you to come up with the bounce of the ball. As we stated last week, 80% of balls that are missed go under the line of the hands and this low movement will help to ensure that you don't add to the statistic.

3. Should you use a one step or two step movement to move across?

Shorter keepers tend to use two steps to move across, this provides them with an anchor position where their inside foot is close to the Leg Stump and provides a base for movement back into the stumps to take the bails. Tall keepers have the option of using the one step movement patterns and use their leg length to slide their foot across early whilst staying off side of the batter with their head.

Rob Turner, the Ex-Somerset Keeper used this technique brilliantly when standing up to Mushtaq Ahmed

4. Create a base at ball take

If the keeper is balanced at ball take then she is able to push back into the stumps and take the bails. Balance is achieved by having a minimum of shoulder width base with your feet at ball take and having your head, hands and feet in line.

Often, when a keeper is losing balance you will note that their feet are too close together and create a narrow base that forces the keeper to topple over away from the stumps. This naturally reduces the chance of taking the bails or makes the movement back into the stumps a stretched one: widen the base to increase the control, stability and the number of stumping opportunities.

5. You have more time than you think

With a strong base and an anchor position, the keeper is in great shape to whip the bails of and complete the leg-side stumping.

I never missed a stumping because I was too slow at getting the bails off. However, I missed plenty because I didn't have the ball in my hands! Many keepers are so keen to take the bails off that they leave the ball behind. Enjoy the take and move smoothly to take the bails; you always have more time than you think.

Follow these 5 leg-side take points and consistency, control and success will quickly follow. Let me know when that leg-side stumping count starts to rise.

Wicket Keeping Secret: Posture is Everything!

Mark Garaway — Thu, 10 May 2012 10:18:55 +0100

80% of balls that are missed by a keeper go under the hands!

This is a finding from from the study I did in 2008 monitoring 52 high performance keepers from Under 11 County Age Group keepers to MS Dhoni and Mathew Prior in Test Cricket.

So why does this happen, and how do you stop it?

The ball goes under the hands as a result of a couple of things:

Poor posture in stance
Poor posture at ball bounce
Leading the upward movement with the head into the attempted take

The solution is to work at your posture and controlling your start position and transition into ball take.

The "Z" position is a term that was developed by Bruce French; ECB Lead Wicket Keeping coach to describe the posture that provides stability, control, power and appropriate head and hand height to a wicket keeper preparing to move into a position to take a ball.

If you control this position then you give yourself the best chance of meeting the upcoming challenges that the ball or conditions throw at you.

The keeper creates a Z shape: starting at his feet working all the way up the lower leg, changing direction along the Femur with the top of the Z shape starting at the hips and finishing at the top of the head. The back is flat and chin is away from the chest. This posture provides the keeper with:

Stability: A strong base that provides the foundation for both lateral (side to side) and upward (covering the bouncing ball) movement. The hands are near the ground and are in a position to come up with the bounce of the ball.
Power: The legs are in a strong position with the Quadriceps and Gluteals loaded with energy ready to power into a position to take the ball. Ensure that the feet are pointing down the wicket as this then allows the joints (Ankles, Knees, Hips) to work in the way that they are designed as you come up with the bounce of the ball.
Balance: weight is evenly distributed across the balls of both feet. This means that sideways movement (to the offside and legside) can be achieved easily.
Vision: Chin is up, eyes are level and in position to take in as much visual information as possible to inform you of the appropriate movement pattern to take to take the ball cleanly.

This position is a great starting point and means that the last thing to rise is the head and the hands. The hands should remain low (fingers touching the ground) until ball bounce, then the body unwinds with the bounce of the ball and the hands therefore also hands can rise with the bounce of the ball.

As a result, the ball and hands remain on the same height and line and the ball is more likely to nestle into the gloves rather than disappear past you or clatter into the bottom of your fingers creating those nasty bruises and fractures.

The basis of all wicket keeping (standing up and standing back) originates from this starting position. Master this and you’re on the path to wicket keeping excellence.

The brilliant thing about this position is that it’s not just Keepers who can benefit from good posture, all fielders can. I am currently coaching at Millfield School here in the UK. The 1st XI has taken 10 Slip catches already this season compared to zero in 2010. This is purely down to the posture work that the players put in during the off season.

Now I'm no mathematician, but those seem like positive numbers to me!

Yes, Yes, Yes: How to Effectively Assess Each Shot

Mark Garaway — Thu, 03 May 2012 10:18:20 +0100

I don't know about you, but I work with a number of talented players who are prone to overanalysing their technique and outcomes when they are batting.

I even did this myself!

The result is that their over-analytical findings impede their ability to learn from the previous ball or shot yet also be focused and ready to play the next ball to the best of their ability.

I use the “Yes, Yes, Yes Game" to counteract this over-thinking.

It's a simple game that assesses the key components of batting and promotes instant feedback and assessment, thus creating enough time to put that feedback in the right place in the mind and focus on what matters; the next ball!

YES Number 1: Decision Making/Shot Selection

How many times do we make a right decision/shot selection and then get out? Not many from my experience.

So, making the right decision is vital. Ask yourself if you chose the right shot. If the Answer is YES then move on to YES Number 2, if it's a NO then quickly work out the reason. Often is that you weren't focused at ball release and had mental interference that impeded your decision.

One of the most common examples of interference is playing the bowler rather than the Ball. If we watch the ball and play the ball then our decisions are likely to be more appropriate. If we try and second guess the Bowler then our ability to make appropriate decisions is likely to be impeded.

YES Number 2: Was I balanced at ball strike?

Studies have shown that over 80% of dismissals in Test matches occur when players are still moving their feet or head to the ball as they attempt to make contact.

Batting is about moving from a balanced position at ball release to a balanced position at ball strike (the best batters achieve this consistently) so a quick assessment of this question will help inform you without cluttering the mind for the next ball.

If YES then Move on to the next question, if NO then quickly establish the reason (where is my head on release? Where is my head at ball strike? Was my movement forward led with the head or foot? Etc).

YES Number 3: Did I make contact under the line of my eyes (straight batted shots) or in line with my eyes (pull/sweep)?

On straight batted shots the maximum level of control, power and timing is achieved when the ball is contacted under the line of the eyes. If you were to drop a plumb line (a weight on a piece of string) from your eyes then that is the ideal contact position. The ball shall go along the ground with timing and control.

On cross batted shots, the eyes are generally behind the line of the ball (pull and sweeps). There are exceptions obviously (cut/hook at times) yet this concept can be applied to most cross batted shots.

If YES then well done, if NO then make a snap assessment, learn quickly and focus on the next ball.

Examples of YES, YES, YES Game feedback

The 3 decisions should be made straight away (take no more than 2 seconds to deliver) by the player and in a coaching session, relayed back to the coach.

The aim is to provide the player with a simple and defined framework for her to assess performance and identify instant feedback that can inform without distracting or interfering with the next ball.

If a player says YES, YES, NO then the batter knows that the focus should be to play it he ball later.

If a Player says NO, NO, YES then the focus should be on ensuring that the ball is watched hard, with a clear mind and that they are more likely to be balanced if an appropriate decision is made at ball release.

YES, YES, YES then crack on and repeat it!

This framework has helped many players assess performance to self-coach in practice and in the middle. As KP says, "The best coach in the world is yourself!"

Asking Questions: Using Other Peoples Experience to Become a Better Coach

Mark Garaway — Thu, 26 Apr 2012 10:29:25 +0100

I have been lucky enough to spend a significant amount of time around some incredible people and cricketers over the years. Yet that time would have been wasted if I hadn't learnt the benefit of asking questions.

Questions allowed me to gain and develop my understanding of cricket, coaching and life skills essential for peak performance.

We all have brilliant people around us at our cricket clubs - and in opposition teams - from whom we can gleam information. This helps us either with our own game or for us to help others get the most from their cricket. Here are a few of my favourite questions that led to some really good options that I have since used with numerous cricketers over the years.

Question 1

To Malcolm Sketchley (1st change bowler for Ventnor CC circa 1989); "Sketch, why do you bowl cross seam deliveries at times during certain spells?"

Answer. "Garas, I bowl cross seam on flat pitches when the ball is not offering any swing. The ball either hits the seam and stands up causing extra bounce or hits the leather and skids through. The ball ends up at the batter at different times off the pitch which disrupts his timing of the ball"

This simple piece of advice was passed on to Stuart Broad when he came into the England set up as a teenager in 2006. Stuart has since mastered the cross seam delivery and uses it fantastically in both subcontinent conditions and on flat pitches.

Question 2

To another Malcolm, this time Malcolm Marshall in 1993; "Macco, What can fast bowlers do when the ball isn't swinging yet we need to pick up wickets?"

Answer: "I have had success in the past when the ball has stopped swinging by bowling around the wicket to right handed batter and creating an angle across the blade of the bat that allows me to retain my slip fielders and gully in place. The outside edge of the bat is then bought into play"

Question 3

To Glenn McGrath during his County stint at Worcestershire. "Can you give me an example of your bowling plans to top batters in Test matches?"

Answer: "My plan is as simple as it comes, I aim to hit the pitch on a good length as hard as possible and get the ball to reach the stumps around the top of off stick, if it swings it's a bonus". I then said "and then?" and Glenn repeated......"I aim to hit the pitch on a good length as hard as possible and get the ball to reach the stumps around the top of off stick, if it swings it's a bonus"

I use this story when I see a talented bowler hitting a variety of lengths and as a result lose the ability to build pressure and win the war of patient and attrition.

Question 4

To Kevin Pietersen: "What enables you to play in the way you do?"

Answer: "I don't fear getting out, it rarely comes into my mind at all. When I walk to the wicket as a number 3 or 4 batter I have a 90% chance of being dismissed. It's going to happen so why should I fear that? It’s all about what I do before I get dismissed so my focus is on having fun and scoring runs!"

Now that simple piece of advice would have helped my batting so much. How many of your players could KP's mantra help?

Question 5

To Richard Ellison; Australia's tormentor in the 1985 Ashes and now Master of Cricket at Millfield School. "You encourage fast bowlers to bowl bouncers in the 1st few balls of a warm up. What is the theory behind this approach?"

Answer: "Garas, it ensures that a bowler gets through her action and as a result means a full range of movement through the whole bowling system. This fast tracks the loosening up of a bowler and then they can adjust to hit length with a loose body rather than a stiff one"

This is a great tip for bowlers in their initial bowl-throughs before a game. Otis Gibson, the West Indies Coach and ex fast bowler, always bowled a bouncer 1st ball of a spell to help him loosen up as well. In practice, it doesn't matter if the ball bounces 3 times to the MIT man or keeper as it loosens up the bowling system perfectly.

There is no such thing as a stupid question, be brave and ask away!

Become a World Class Hitter and Watch your Players Emulate the Greats

Mark Garaway — Thu, 19 Apr 2012 12:48:03 +0100

The better we as coaches become at hitting balls, the quicker our fielders will move to elite in the deep. So get out there with your high catching coaches kit and practice your hitting.

As a coach, there is no better feeling than hitting a perfect distance high catch which allows the player to push himself/herself slightly beyond their limits and come up with the ball in hand. That's how we build skill and robust confidence and we can only do that if our hitting is world class

Hitting Skills to develop:

High catch with good hangtime

The average time that a ball stays in the air in International cricket is 4.7 seconds. Can you match or exceed that with control over your direction? Here is one my best efforts on video. Can you beat this?

Over the shoulder catch with control

Work at controlling the distance of your hit so players still have to move as the ball hits their hands. Shahid Afridi demonstrates in this video.

Taking flat trajectory catches on the boundary edge

Hit from the square, create match-like trajectory and angles for your players and watch the results when it comes to game time.

Also simulate catching the ball just inside the rope with the player throwing the ball up in the air for themselves to come back into play and complete the catch or for a team-mate to take.

Stuart Broad and Jimmy Anderson would demand me to hit this type of ball for them to simulate and their performance rocketed. It's great fun to practice and has on 2 occasions resulted in my teams pulling off match and tournament winning catches.

Your players will achieve this kind of thing with practice.

And don’t forget the running in from the boundary catch.

Lastly, a bit of fun; living proof that it is easier to chat in the Commentary Box than get under a well hit ball!

Master your hitting, become a world leader and watch your players take match winning catch after match winning catch. Enjoy!

Fingers Up or Down: Which Catching Technique is Better?

Mark Garaway — Thu, 12 Apr 2012 09:19:54 +0100

I am often asked if the "English" method of high catching (fingers down) is better than its "Australian" counterpart.

The simple answer is that both methods have their merits so I teach both because individual players have their own preferences. Also the ball arrives at us at different heights and angles. This in turn dictates which of the two methods is best to use when taking a catch.

With both methods, the vital consideration for a fielder is to use his footwork effectively to get under the flight of the ball as early as possible. So the first point is always to use footwork to get to the ball.

Australian method

The advantage of the Australian method of catching is that it encourages fielders to make contact with the ball above their eye line. As a result, the fielder can watch the ball for longer as it goes into their hands and if a fumble occurs, he often gets a second bite at the catch.

It is important to create a big and strong catching area with the hands and this is achieved by placing your thumb and forefinger of one hand over the thumb and forefinger of the other hand. It creates a web like strong structure that no cricket ball can break.

The fingers are spread and the catching area is immense.

I often ask very young players to create their catching area with their hands and then place a ball in their open hands to show how "small" they can make the ball look in their huge catching area. This helps to build early confidence in the young players as they embark on a life of taking spectacular high catches.

Times when the Australian Method may not be the best option:

When the ball's trajectory is dipping beneath the line of your shoulders (Flatter hit from the middle which is falling short of the fielder)
When a dive is required
When you’re running at full-tilt

The English method often works better in these instances.

The Australian method is tends to be used by fielders right on the boundary edge. Kevin Pietersen prefers this catching style and has taken a number of catches with the Australian style in his specialist mid on and deep mid on fielding position in ODI and T20 Cricket.

English method

Again, a huge catching area is vital.

Interlink the two little fingers and butt together the heel of your hands to create the strong catching structure. Players often forget to spread the thumbs out and this is achieved by moving your elbows closer together.

Note the effect that the elbows have on the size and shape of the catching area.

As with the Australian catching method, players should be encouraged to raise their hands slightly above their eye line and for the head and hands to be in close proximity.

As we have discussed previously, the closer we keep our head and our hands, the more control we have over a catching opportunity.

Many players will start of making contact with the ball around their waistband and this is fraught with danger. Obviously, if we fumble the ball there is little chance of us getting a second go and also, it is very difficult to track the ball with our eyes once the ball has passed our eye line on its descent.

So take the ball at Eye Level whenever possible.

So going back to the original question; which one is better?

They are both highly valid methods and players should be coached to develop their skill in both techniques so that individual player can choose which one to use for any type of high or boundary catch.

It's a bit like a set of golf clubs, a golfer chooses the club that fits the shot distance that he/she is faced with. You can now choose the appropriate catch method to meet the catching challenge presented by the flight of the ball off the bat.

So encourage your players to master both Styles, have fun with your catching practices and watch the success of your fielding unit flow.

IPL Skills: How to Teach the Yorker

Mark Garaway — Thu, 05 Apr 2012 09:38:07 +0100

Yorkers will single-handedly win games of cricket in this year’s edition of the IPL. And they will do the same if you coach it well because the yorker is an exciting ball that can be practiced and developed through coaching routines and practices.

Malinga has made himself into one of the most valuable T20 players in the world in the IPL over the last 2 editions. It’s no shock to learn that he attempts over twice as many yorkers than any other bowler in the IPL.

Malinga is a diligent trainer and is often seen aiming his yorkers at targets before matches with unerring accuracy. Here’s how your bowling unit can copy his success.

T20 Yorker Bowling Coaching Kit

1 x Set of Multi-Coloured Cones
6 x Newish Balls
6 x Older Balls
1 x Whistle

Length for Yorkers

The most effective length for a Yorker is between 5 and 10cms in front of the crease.

This in contrary to the common idea that you should hit the crease line itself. Real life Hawkeye (from international level) and PitchVision data tells us this in terms of strike rate and economy.

Set your cones on this length and ask players to hit them.

Line of Yorkers

There are different lines of Yorkers that are deployed in IPL. The two most effective options are:

Straight at the Stumps

This is often bowled at players who prefer to use their arms and leverage to muscle the ball to the boundary. Tucking up this kind of batter will restrict the swing of the bat and is a highly viable wicket taking option.

The field set for this type of delivery often includes a deep fine leg as the bat can jam down on the ball and deflect past the short fine leg. The ball is less likely to be hit over mid-off if delivered relatively accurately. Coach your bowlers to have mid-off up on the edge of the circle as this position along with deep fine leg are the most likely field options.

Lasith Malinga, Charl Langeveldt and Alfonso Thomas all prefer to bowl this type of ball to this field set.

Just inside the Wide Line

This yorker is bowled to batsmen who open up the stumps and set themselves to hit straight balls over cover or drag the ball over midwicket. Jacob Oram, Chris Gayle and Scott Styris are good examples of players who are less happy with the wider yorker as it makes them stretch, lose control and lose power.

Bowlers who execute this yorker well include Stuart Broad and Tim Bresnan.

Ideally, we can train bowlers to deliver either ball type at will and also with a late change of decision. This is massively important so a bowler can react appropriately when a bowler moves around in the crease.

Yorker Decision Making Drill

Set a red cone straight in front of the stumps (5 to 10cms in front of the popping crease) and a blue cone on the same length just inside the off side wide line. Set a green cone 7-8 metres from the batters end stumps for the alternative ball type ( for example a slower Ball or back of a length).

Ask the bowler to hit the red cone with every ball unless given a whistle signal.

As the bowler runs up, about 2 paces prior to bound strike, the coach or team-mate has the following options:

No blow on the whistle (hit the red cone)
One blast on the whistle (hit the blue cone)
Two blasts on the whistle (hit the green cone)

This drill helps develop decision making and over time, gives resources to the bowler that can use against good batters capable of creating hitting areas through movement in the crease.

Additional options that can be deployed (dependant on resource, the style of bowler and ability/age):

Increase options for delivery types by placing an extra cone/s (Slower Ball Bouncer, Bouncer).
Place a shoe down on the length for Yorker instead of a cone to increase realism
Build a wheeled platform that holds a cone or shoe that can be pulled by rope to simulate movement in the crease.
Incorporate both right-handed and left-handed simulation into the drills.
Practice with both new balls and old balls as the yorker is a wicket taking option throughout the full 20 overs.

So, watch the IPL with interest, look out for the yorkers, how often they are deployed across 20 overs and see which bowlers execute their options most effectively.

Then use the drill options above to build awareness, competence and ability to perform skills under match pressure.

But most importantly; have some fun with the yorker, the most exciting ball in cricket!

The Sky is not the Limit: How to Train Players to be Safe Under the High Ball

Mark Garaway — Thu, 29 Mar 2012 13:19:50 +0100

There are more balls hit into the air now that at any other time in cricket history. Matches and tournaments can be won and lost on the ability of a team or individual player to cling onto a Skyer. So it is vital for us to develop the skills of our players to cope with this aerial onslaught.

The development of the shorter formats, T20 in particular, has led to batters increasing their aerial scoring options. Bats are specifically developed to pack more punch into the hitting zone. The power play regulations have led to more balls being hit up into the stratosphere and as a consequence, more opportunities to get under a high catch.

When I coached at Somerset, we made high catching our priority and it helped us to win the Twenty20 Cup. In the final alone, both Mal Loye and Freddie Flintoff were dismissed in the first 3 overs of the game through well judged and well taken skyer catches.

The ease that the players took those match winning catches came as a result of their efforts within specific fielding drills.

The Coaches High Catching Kit Bag

1 Fusion Skyer or Gray Nicholls Cloudcatcher
1 Set of Cones
3 - 6 soft, beaten up cricket balls (appropriate sizing for your age group)
3 - 6 newer cricket balls
3 - 6 Hard Tennis Balls
3 - 6 incrediballs
1 Tennis Racquet

Most high balls are dropped due to poor body position rather than poor hands. Effective footwork leads to good body positioning which in turn results in increased catching success.

Fielders should attempt to catch every opportunity with the hands and head close together. This increases control and ultimately facilitates effective catching.

Effective footwork enables a fielder to line up the ball early and ensure that the head and hands are in the right place to take the dropping ball.

Make a note of the catches that get caught in International and IPL Cricket on the TV over the coming weeks and see how many safe catches are made when the head and the hands are in close proximity.

As soon as we have to stretch for a ball we are more likely to drop it, therefore, footwork to get under the flight of the ball is vital.

You will hear me saying "Make your ground!" in most of my sessions; encouraging and positively cueing the players to use their feet effectively to get under the flight of the ball as early as possible.

One Handed Skyer Catching Drill

Graeme Smith bought this drill to me over from South Africa and I love it. The drill is great fun, players love it because it both challenges them and develops them under the high ball.

The coach hits the hard tennis ball into the air. The fielder is only allowed to take the catch with one hand. This naturally increases the task difficulty and as a result the fielder will instinctively do the following things:

Use their feet effectively and get right under the flight of the ball
Look to catch end ball at eye level and above (a good thing!)

It is a great drill as then I ask the players for feedback and they tell me these key coaching points which are both vital when catching the high ball.

I will emphasise the importance of both points at the time and then reiterate them over and over again throughout the remainder of the fielding session.

You can progress the drill by doing the following:

Increase height of the ball
Increase the distance a player has to run to get under the flight of that all
Vary the starting position of the fielder (using cones as a starting marker) so that they are approaching the ball from different angles. This means that each fielder can practice catches Over each shoulder, from the right, from the left and running in.
Progress from hard tennis ball and tennis racquet to softer/old cricket balls and a Fusion Skyer/Gray Nicholls Cloud Catcher
Nominate the hand that needs to catch the ball as the ball is struck (decision making development and footwork pressured)
Occluded Catch - player away from the hitter and turns as he/she hears the contact of ball on bat. The player then has to locate the ball in the sky and use good footwork to get under the flight of the ball.

Every now and again, ask the fielders to catch the ball 2 handed. The players make it look so easy when they go to 2 hands as they have trained themselves to use their feet to get under the flight of the ball and to make contact with the ball level or above the line of their eyes.

Finish each session with a few rounds of 2 handed high catches and monitor the results.

Give it a go, start them off slowly and then build in the progressions as the player’s skill, competence and confidence grows.

More Sweep than Slog: The Slog Sweep

Mark Garaway — Thu, 22 Mar 2012 10:22:53 +0000

The slog sweep is a legitimate boundary option. It’s hit in the air over the inner ring fielders and with the huge bats of today, often over the fence!

The slog sweep is an excellent option when the match situation dictates the need for a boundary (and the slog sweep is a practiced strength).

It can also be used when you have width between yourself and the ball (the ball generally pitching outside the line of the off stump), the field setting of the opposition captain blocks out straight batted boundary options or you need to move a boundary fielder to open up an easier boundary scoring option/area

Can any of these consideration points help you to make better decisions regarding your deployment of the Slog Sweep?

Slog Sweep Key Technical Points

Weight distribution: Many players look to deliberately keep their weight back whilst executing the shot and keep their head very central (in contrast with the forward head position of the hard sweep and run sweep) as they use their weight distribution to propel the ball up over mid wicket.
Stability: This often coincides with the back knee being placed on the ground. This back knee on the ground helps to keep the weight central in the shot. The back knee also creates a solid base from which to swing.
Creating a hitting space: The front leg is often pulled more to the leg-side to create space for the bat to swing. Watch players such as Kevin Pietersen, Yuvraj Singh and Shane Watson create this hitting space when looking to sweep the ball high and far over the heads of both the inner ring and outer ring fielders.
The bat swing path: The swing of the bat differs in the slog sweep from the hard sweep as hands stay low whilst the body forward so that the swing of the bat goes from "low to high" and through the bounce of the ball. The trajectory of the shot is determined by the bat path and therefore, if you have a player who is hitting his/her Slog Sweep too flat then have a look at the Bat path from the start of the swing through to the end of the shot. It is likely that the player would benefit from a lower starting position with the hands which will enable the player to hit from "low to high".

Variations of the Slog Sweep

Recently, we have seen a few players hitting a slog-sweep over mid on and straight over the bowlers head rather than over midwicket. Shane Watson (Australia and the Rajasthan Royals) is the best example of this.

The Shane Watson special: Shane opens up his front side of his body to create a vacant hitting area for the bat to move into (often the line of his front foot is on or outside the line of legs stump). Shane hits up and through the ball as normal, yet the line of the bat path goes directly over mid-on rather than over mid wicket. The shot is hit with excellent balance and control and as a result, Shane has been able to hit balls off of the line of the stumps for 6 on a regular basis against spinners in all formats of the game. Usually, players will hit from outside off stump as this width provides the leverage for the player to make good contact and a full swing. Shane is creating that leverage himself with that initial front foot movement towards the leg-side. This makes Shane very difficult to bowl at and puts the pressure well and truly back on the bowler.
The switch hit: The off side variation of the Slog Sweep. I was merely the guy who threw 1000's of balls at the creator of the shot so I suggest you hear it straight from the horse’s mouth and join KP for a lesson in switch hitting by clicking here.

Paddle, Run or Lap: How to Sweep to Mess Up Bowlers

Mark Garaway — Thu, 15 Mar 2012 08:00:45 +0000

The ‘run sweep’ has been called many names: paddle sweep and lap sweep.

I call it the run sweep as the a batter uses the pace on the ball and lets the ball run off the face of the bat into a vacant short fine leg position for anything between 2 and 4 runs.

It’s a shot I love to coach because you can use it to move a fielder in order to open up an easy scoring option.

You remember from the hard sweep article that I shared a number of circumstances that lead to a sweep being a good option when playing spin. The considerations for the run sweep are:

The field setting of the opposition captain blocks out straight batted scoring options
You need to move a fielder to open up an easy scoring option/area

So, if square leg is blocked, the quickest way to move that man is to play a run sweep.

You will find that the square leg fielder will be moved to cover the shot. This opens up square leg and balls can be tucked into that area for singles off both front and back foot.

Rarely can a bowler afford to defend both areas. To do so leaves other boundary and single options open.

Runs will accumulate quickly and in a low risk fashion.

Some captains then move the short fine leg to square leg again; good batters instantly play a run sweep into the vacant area.

You then are in control and playing with the opposition bowler and captain’s minds!

Two of the players who do this well in the England set up are Ian Bell and Stuart Broad, watch them against spin when you next get the chance.

Now that is power over the opposition!

Run sweep technique

The fundamentals of the movement are similar to the hard sweep:

Head and front shoulder lead the motion to the ball - often players over-stride and lead the movement with the front foot causing problems later on in the shot.
The hands look to reach as far as they can in front of the front knee; this means that batter then has the option of playing the run sweep to a larger length range. Ideally, with this increased reach, the ball can be contacted on the full toss, yet the shot can be hit from half-volley and length as well.
Many good players of the shot adjust the bat slightly in the hand to open the face a little prior to contact. This helps them to present more bat face to the ball and increase their percentages in making clean contact. Give it a go and see if it works for you.
The head position is low to the ball (more control) and in advance of the front pad. This is crucial. It enables the hands and arms to fully extend to the ball and prevents the hands from getting tangled up against the pads.
Many players find that they struggle to keep their heads in advance of the front knee. Often this is due to the back knee being in contact with the ground and therefore, pulls the weight and head back. Ask the player to keep the back knee slightly off the ground through their movement to the ball and contact as this will facilitate a more advanced head position in the shot.
The head position remains still way after the ball has been struck. Many players miss the ball as they move their eyes and head to the direction that they intend to hit the ball. It is vital that this coaching point is emphasised.

Pairing up: run sweep and tuck

In order to take full advantage of having the run sweep in your repertoire, a player needs to also have the tuck into square leg of both front and back foot. Master this shot also and then the player will have an appropriate pair of shots.

A player with run sweep and tuck as a pair of shots is a captain’s nightmare. Make sure you are coaching this shot to all you players from openers to number 11.