Technique | Cricket coaching, fitness and tips

2 Reasons You Are Not Timing the Ball Well

This is a guest article from club player AB about 2 common mistakes all batsmen make when trying to time the ball well and score runs.
 
I’m sure you have said it:

"I just couldn't get my timing right on that slow pitch"

Or you heard a coach say, "you don't need to hit it hard, just time it nicely".

But what does that actually mean?

A Good Pull Shot Crushes Bowler's Spirits

This article is part of the “How to Improve Your Batting Shot Selection” series. To see the full list of shots click here.

In 2002 Michael Vaughan was in imperious form and it was a pull shot that set the tone.

Secrets of Coaching Batting Revealed: Gary Palmer’s Notebook

Gary Palmer, master coach, has revealed the inner workings of his coaching methods.

With over 20 years experience of coaching players to batting success from juniors to first-class level; Gary is the go-to guy for advice on how to teach batting perfection.

Until now he has kept his methods secret.
 
All that has changed.

Like a crazy but brilliant scientist, Gary has meticulously kept his findings in a notebook that has built up over the years into a complete system.

Does Anyone Ever Really Need to Play a Switch Hit?

In 2006 Sri Lanka toured England with the great Muralitharan in the side: A bowler who demanded the utmost respect or be destroyed.

This made it all the more outrageous when Kevin Pietersen, a relative rookie to Test cricket, turned into a left-handed stance and “switch hit” Murali for six.

Pietersen has show that such a shot can be done at the highest level against the best bowlers.

How to Play the Reverse Sweep

With the constant rise in run rates, there has never been more demand for creative shots.

The reverse sweep is a perfect example: played when you need to take a risk to score quick runs by putting the ball into a gap.

In this exclusive video PitchVision Academy coach Ian Pont reveals the secrets of how to play and practice the reverse sweep.

Do You Make These 4 Mistakes When You Coach Kids Cricket?

Today’s article is a guest post from Darren Talbot; Professional coach, Managing Director of Darren Talbot Cricket Coaching and founder committee member of the Surrey ECB Coaches Association.

It’s a moment we have all faced, and dreaded, as a cricket coach.

Standing in front of you is a group of 25 kids, all itching to get going. All you have is your own knowledge and perhaps – if you are lucky – the help of an unqualified parent.

11 Ways to Improve Your Attacking Batting

Scoring runs is at the very heart of winning cricket matches. How do the professionals do it?

PitchVision Academy and 3 times World Cup coach Ian Pont shares with you the secrets of how to score more runs aggressively while keeping the percentages in your favour.

You can put these tips into action right away:

1. Pick your bat up high with your hands

How to Improve Your Batting Shot Selection: Cover Drive

This article is part of the “How to Improve Your Batting Shot Selection” series. To see the full list of shots click here.

With its stylish flourish, the cover drive will always get your team-mates roaring “shot!” as you blaze the ball away. Yet, it’s a paradox of a shot.

You Don’t Need Every Variation to Be an Excellent Spin Bowler

Mushtaq Ahmed, Graeme Swann, Syd Barnes and Shane Warne: Each player a unique and world-class spin bowler of his time.

None of them used every variation in the book.

They didn’t need them all. They maintain their deception by varying the angle of spin within a small region either side of their stock delivery.

Subtle and devastating.

Marcus Trescothick Catches Up with PitchVision Academy

Marcus Trescothick has signed with Mongoose Cricket for the 2011 season. The former-England opener will be using the innovative smaller bats to smite county bowlers to all corners of Taunton come the summer.

To celebrate this, Marcus, Mongoose and SPIN Magazine teamed up to put on a night talking cricket in London. I was lucky enough to go along and get 5 minutes to chat with ‘Banger’ before his big interview.