Q Tips

Blasts from the past ...

ELITE'S COACHING TIP FOR JULY

OFF SPIN BOWLING

Off-spin is the most popular method of spin in cricket. An off-break delivery turns from the off side to the leg side when bowled at a right-handed batsman. The spin is generated by the first and second fingers of the right hand. The more revolutions you can put on the ball, the better chance you have of getting more turn when the ball pitches.

The off spin moves the ball from a right handed batsman's off stump towards their leg stump. The spin is generated from the index finger, this causes the ball to alter its direction and bounce through. The ball is held by the joints of the index and middle fingers which are spread along the seam. The spin is then generated by turning the wrist in an anti-clockwise direction.

ELITE COACHING POINTS

Light pressure should be applied to the ball with the thumb
When the ball is released the back of the hand should face mid-wicket
Try to spin the ball as hard as possible; the control of the ball will come with more practice
The action of the wrist is similar to opening a door

ELITE'S COACHING TIP FOR JUNE

BACK FOOT DEFENCE

DESCRIPTION

If the ball is pitched on the stumps - but short of a good length - it needs to be played safely.

Going back on your crease and meeting the ball at the top of its bounce will help you to be in full control of the shot Also, try to meet the ball with soft hands. Relaxing your hands on the bat handle helps to take the pace off the ball and reduces the chances of getting caught near the wicket Going forward to a delivery like this is dangerous and you will also increase the chance of getting out

ELITE COACHING POINTS

The back foot should move back towards the stumps, but stay inside the line of the ball
The weight should be on the ball of the back foot, but the head should remain forward
Move the front foot towards the back leg, but remain side-on to the bowler.
Swing the bat down, keeping the front elbow in a high position and with the full face of the bat directed straight down the wicket
The bat, angled slightly towards the ground, should make contact with the ball directly beneath the eyes

ELITE'S COACHING TIP FOR MAY

Inswing delivery

A right-arm bowler bowling to a right handed batsman will move the ball into them. The index and second finger should be placed either side of the seam. The flat side of the thumb should be placed on the underneath of the ball. Ensure that the ball’s seam remains vertical and is angled towards the leg side.

ELITE COACHING POINTS

The ball release should come from the middle finger before pulling down on the seam to ensure the seam stays vertical
For a right handed batsman ensure that the shiny side of the ball is on the off side
Aim to bowl it so that it swings from outside off stump and pitches in line with middle and off stumps
If you start it too straight it will swing down leg side and be easy for the batsman to hit away
If you find yourself swinging the ball uncontrollably, hold the ball across the seam so that the seam runs horizontally, this will help negate and reduce the amount of swing

ELITE’S COACHING TIP FOR APRIL

CLOSE CATCHING

Stand with your feet wider than shoulder width apart and with knees bent. The key is to be balanced
The palms of the hands should be together, with fingers spread and pointing down
Arms and hands should be in front of the body with the head still and the eyes level
Watch the ball into the softest part of relaxed hands and wrap fingers around the ball, drawing the hands towards the body

ELITE'S COACHING TIP FOR MARCH

BOWLING A GOOGLY

A googly is a delivery which looks like a normal leg spinner but actually turns towards the batsmen, like an off break, rather than away from the bat. Unlike a normal leg break, a googly is delivered out of the back of the hand with your wrist 180° to the ground. It's a very difficult skill to learn!

ELITE COACHING POINTS

Hold the ball as if you're about to bowl a normal leg break
The top joints of the index and middle fingers should be across the seam, with the ball resting between a bent third finger and the thumb
At the point of release, the palm of your hand should be open upwards, towards the sky, with the back of your hand facing the batsman
Your wrist should be 180° to the ground, while the seam of the ball should point towards fine leg
Again, it should be your third finger which does most of the work, turning the ball anti-clockwise on release
You'll probably find it goes horribly wrong the first few times you give the googly a try, but don't give up!

ELITE'S COACHING TIP FOR FEBRUARY

GROUND FIELDING

The key to a good out-fielding is to attack the ball. By "attacking" the ball, you come towards the ball if it is hit to you, rather than standing still and waiting for it. If you can do this, it puts more doubt in the batsmen's mind. A common catch-call from a captain or coach is "walk in with the bowler", which is very important. As the bowler is running in about to bowl, fielders should start walking in from a few steps behind their original fielding position. When the bowler releases the ball, a good idea is to stop and "spring" with your knees. This allows players to transfer their weight off either foot, enabling them to react to the left or the right.

The Long Barrier

DESCRIPTION

The main technique used to stop balls along the ground is called the "long barrier". This occurs when the body forms a "barrier" behind the ball, giving the fieldsman the best chance of stopping the ball. Make sure your play keep your eye on the ball right up until the point it reaches you, as it could be costly.

ELITE COACHING POINTS

Approach the ball at speed and as you get into line with the ball, twist your upper body, leading with the shoulder furthest from the ball
Bend both knees, so that the knee of the leg nearest to the ball touches the ground, but it is also next to the back of the heel of the other leg
With fingers down and head forward, pick up the ball and then stand back up ready to deliver an over arm throw
On a bumpy outfield, or if the ball is travelling at speed it makes sense to get a good barrier in front of the ball

ELITE'S COACHING TIP FOR JANUARY

THE SWEEP SHOT

The sweep is a cross-batted shot played to a delivery on or around leg stump behind square on the leg side. Traditionally the sweep is played against a spinner on a turning pitch. There's an element of risk when you play the shot so good judgement and excellent timing is essential.

ELITE COACHING POINTS

Lean towards the line of the cricket ball with your head and front shoulder
Place your front pad in the line of the ball, bend the front leg and collapse the back leg to the ground
With a high backswing above your head, strike the ball with your head over the front knee
While connecting with the ball with enough momentum, outstretch your arms. Both the shoulders must face directly down to the pitch
Roll your wrists at the last moment to keep the ball along the ground
Follow through so that the bat finishes in a high position with the hands close to the front shoulder

ELITE'S COACHING TIP FOR DECEMBER

THE PULL SHOT

The pull shot is played with a crossed bat and is an aggressive back footed shot. It should be played to a ball which has been pitched short, on or outside leg stump and will pass over the top of the wickets. To play the shot, start in your normal batting stance and play the shot in response to the appropriate delivery. Take your backswing and step back and across towards your off stump with your back foot and establish this as your base of support. Bring your front foot backwards naturally, ideally keeping it on the ground if possible to help your balance. Bring the bat down and across the line of the ball, increasing the bat speed into contact with the ball, hit the ball in front of your body. Finish the shot with a natural follow through, staying relaxed and balanced.

ELITE COACHING POINTS

Your body needs to be behind the line of the delivery
Aim to hit the ball between mid-on and fine leg, between any fielders who may be in the area '
Roll your wrist' over the ball as you contact it, so that it goes straight to ground
The face of the bat should end up pointing down to the ground
You can also bring the bat down from a high position and finish lower; this will also keep the ball down

ELITE'S COACHING TIP FOR NOVEMBER

LEG SPIN BOWLING

Leg spin bowling is a style of spin bowling in cricket which involves turning a ball off the pitch from the leg-side to the off-side for a right handed batter. The revolutions of the ball are generated by the wrist rather than the fingers.

Correct Grip: The first two fingers grip the ball horizontally across the seam, your third finger should be bent and running along the seam. Your thumb should rest lightly on the seam and spin is generated primarily by the third finger.

ELITE COACHING POINTS

As you bowl you should raise your lead arm towards the target and bowl with a braced front leg
Pivot on the ball of the front foot and bring your bowling arm up high with your wrist cocked outwards
Drive your back leg through and release the ball
Generate the spin by rotating your wrist from right to leftUse third finger to impart the most spin
Finish with your palm facing leg side
Follow through by rotating shoulders through the line of the wickets and driving your back leg through the action so that your hips rotate over your front foot
Keep your hips and shoulders in line and head as upright as possible throughout the delivery
Eyes fixed on the target at all times

ELITE'S COACHING TIP FOR OCTOBER

THE STRAIGHT DRIVE

The straight drive is one of the most classical shots in a batsman's repertoire. Bowlers hate to see batsmen present the full face of the bat as the ball races to the boundary through the offside. The straight drive is usually played to an over pitched delivery on or outside off stump. Over pitched means when the ball is not quite on a good length, but not quite a yorker.

One of the most important points to remember about this particular shot is getting your front foot as close to the pitch of the ball as possible. You often see batsmen driving the ball in the air with their feet nowhere near the pitch of the delivery. To stop this from happening, make sure you get your head over the ball as you play the stroke. This means your weight is leaning forward, rather than back, which is often when the ball travels dangerously in the air. The straight drive is about timing and placement rather than power. Most of the work is done by the top hand, with the bottom hand lending support. You might often hear the phrase "showing the maker's name" from commentators when a batsman has played a glorious drive. This means the batsman has presented a very straight bat on their follow through, so straight you can see the name of the company that made it.

ELITE COACHING POINTS

Lean towards the ball with head and shoulder forward of the body
Take a good step forward towards the pitch of the ball, head directly above the front foot
Back lift remains raised (hands up high behind back hip pocket), weight on bent leg
Back leg straight with heel raised and inside of toe touching the floor, thus ensuring sideways body position
Diamond shape maintained by arms throughout the shot Bat swings through the line of the ball
Toe of the bat follows direction in which the ball has been hit Leading elbow high, close to head
Bottom hand, fingers and thumb grip (to allow flow of arms and bat through the line of the ball
High hands above eye level after the ball has been struck, forearms in line with the bat