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General Cricket => Cricket Training, Fitness and Injuries => Topic started by: kaustav on February 05, 2012, 08:45:05 PM

Title: The shot that shoots you
Post by: kaustav on February 05, 2012, 08:45:05 PM
What is the one shot which you just cannot get right? The shot that gets you out and is your Achilles heel and you would like to perfect? What problems do you face while executing it? Discuss.

For me it has always been the sweep shot. It does not get me out though as I don't play it at all in games being quite aware of my limitations. I prefer using my feet by going down the track but sweeping--never!
Title: Re: The shot that shoots you
Post by: Joe on February 05, 2012, 08:49:52 PM
can't cut. Don't get low enough when cutting spinners and miss it every time, it causes problems. I was batting against chief dobby spinner of dobsville and he bowled 3 overs of short and wide stuff, each of which I played and missed at.
Title: Re: The shot that shoots you
Post by: pacman75cricket on February 05, 2012, 08:51:14 PM
Couldn't say based on last year as it was any shot >:(

Probably pull shot as first instance is to play forward/drive.  Cant work it out as have been ok at pull when had beamers.
Title: Re: The shot that shoots you
Post by: kaustav on February 05, 2012, 08:52:10 PM
can't cut. Don't get low enough when cutting spinners and miss it every time, it causes problems. I was batting against chief dobby spinner of dobsville and he bowled 3 overs of short and wide stuff, each of which I played and missed at.

Your back foot might move closer to the ball perhaps?
Title: Re: The shot that shoots you
Post by: Mad Bobbin on February 05, 2012, 08:53:06 PM
The pull shot.............it is my get out every time shot........always find myself being caught in between the front and back foot. Would just love to be able to play it off the front foot like KP.

But the hook this is a great shot for me.........may be because you can read it better when they are going to properly bang it in short at you?
Title: Re: The shot that shoots you
Post by: Joe on February 05, 2012, 08:54:02 PM
Your back foot might move closer to the ball perhaps?
Trust me, I know exactly how to do it (have practised with throw downs, been coached) but just cannot do it in games.
Title: Re: The shot that shoots you
Post by: Colesy on February 05, 2012, 08:55:04 PM
Used to be able to cut and not pull, other way round now for some reason. I've become very wristy in my cut shots and more guide the ball as opposed to strike it. I think using a 2.14 bat before may have been the reason I couldn't pull/hook.
Title: Re: The shot that shoots you
Post by: Mad Bobbin on February 05, 2012, 08:55:29 PM
Trust me, I know exactly how to do it (have practised with throw downs, been coached) but just cannot do it in games.

May be you are just trying too hard in games rather than go on instinct??
Title: Re: The shot that shoots you
Post by: kaustav on February 05, 2012, 08:56:33 PM
Trust me, I know exactly how to do it (have practised with throw downs, been coached) but just cannot do it in games.

I understand bud; a bit like my sweeping. Just cannot keep my head still and crouch and move my feet and get into position in time----just too many stuff to execute at the spur of the moment.
Title: Re: The shot that shoots you
Post by: Joe on February 05, 2012, 08:57:51 PM
I understand bud; a bit like my sweeping. Just cannot keep my head still and crouch and move my feet and get into position in time----just too many stuff to execute at the spur of the moment.
It is annoying though, I have taken to just punching it with a straight bat.


Can't sweep either btw :D
Title: Re: The shot that shoots you
Post by: roco on February 05, 2012, 09:01:37 PM
Is it bad to say every shot ;)

Had a problem with falling over last year but that was some advice I followed but did not work out but sorted now I hope
Title: Re: The shot that shoots you
Post by: pacman75cricket on February 05, 2012, 09:05:13 PM
The pull shot.............it is my get out every time shot........always find myself being caught in between the front and back foot. Would just love to be able to play it off the front foot like KP.

But the hook this is a great shot for me.........may be because you can read it better when they are going to properly bang it in short at you?

Maybe right as last year made a good start to innings as opening bowler insisted on coming back to me first ball banged in short disappeared over square leg, didn't bounce me again.
Title: Re: The shot that shoots you
Post by: mpato on February 05, 2012, 09:06:40 PM
Short ball at the head everytime! Stick Cricket style!!

I have had numerous net sessions on it and yep all fine.... game time all over the shop!

Half of problem is that I want to always play off the front foot
Title: Re: The shot that shoots you
Post by: pacman75cricket on February 05, 2012, 09:08:36 PM
I understand bud; a bit like my sweeping. Just cannot keep my head still and crouch and move my feet and get into position in time----just too many stuff to execute at the spur of the moment.

Sweep is at leats part premeditated in my book.  went through a stage of sweeping but now prefer to try & drive down the ground
Title: Re: The shot that shoots you
Post by: MD2812 on February 05, 2012, 09:12:43 PM
Thankfully i'm a very good sweeper of the ball.

I used to play the cut shot well but could not even hit one last season.

I find trying to drive the ball back past the bowler on the ground difficult, i always seem to offer a c&b rather than it going past the stumps and crossing the ropes. shame cos when i've got it right it feels so good and on T.V it always look sso good.
Title: Re: The shot that shoots you
Post by: tommo256 on February 05, 2012, 09:13:34 PM
Pulling the ball, cant do it for love nor money
Title: Re: The shot that shoots you
Post by: kaustav on February 05, 2012, 09:17:27 PM
Thankfully i'm a very good sweeper of the ball.

I used to play the cut shot well but could not even hit one last season.

I find trying to drive the ball back past the bowler on the ground difficult, i always seem to offer a c&b rather than it going past the stumps and crossing the ropes. shame cos when i've got it right it feels so good and on T.V it always look sso good.

I think coach Buzz can give some good advice here.

Have you checked your backlift? Is it coming too much from thirdman? Also, are you lifting your head while driving?
Title: Re: The shot that shoots you
Post by: uknsaunders on February 05, 2012, 09:23:51 PM
always been the leg stump full delivery. Try and whip the sucker through midwicket only to loose my leg stick. Either play over it or outside it, takes alot of will power to pat it straight back :-(
Title: Re: The shot that shoots you
Post by: cheese on February 05, 2012, 09:25:51 PM
Straight drive. As a batsman I can pick a length quite well but not with the drive.
I love the cover drive, I through the kitchen sink at it and 9/10 hammer it.
But I can't seem to pick the right length to straight drive. I either toe it or get bowled or it misses the stumps. 3/10 I get it right but it never seems to go to the boundary.
Any advice?????
Title: Re: The shot that shoots you
Post by: kaustav on February 05, 2012, 09:28:11 PM
Not so straight back lift and follow through perhaps? A bit too closed a stance?
Title: Re: The shot that shoots you
Post by: cheese on February 05, 2012, 09:30:40 PM
Not so straight back lift and follow through perhaps? A bit too closed a stance?
Ah yes cheers.
I had thought about the back lift.
Any thoughts on how I should altar it????
Title: Re: The shot that shoots you
Post by: kaustav on February 05, 2012, 09:33:05 PM
Watch the stig videos  :D
Title: Re: The shot that shoots you
Post by: Joe on February 05, 2012, 09:33:24 PM
Straight drive. As a batsman I can pick a length quite well but not with the drive.
I love the cover drive, I through the kitchen sink at it and 9/10 hammer it.
But I can't seem to pick the right length to straight drive. I either toe it or get bowled or it misses the stumps. 3/10 I get it right but it never seems to go to the boundary.
Any advice? ??? ?
I would almost fall over your stumps a bit when you play the shot, i.e take a small step and punch it.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I2m2gliQ6nM (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I2m2gliQ6nM)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4bWWQKCc_1o (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4bWWQKCc_1o)
Title: Re: The shot that shoots you
Post by: Wolfie89 on February 05, 2012, 09:33:40 PM
Can't drive on the on side for toffee. I've started doing some work on it at nets with our coach now though, as he noticed I had a tendency to wait and try and whip the ball off my pads.
Title: Re: The shot that shoots you
Post by: Buzz on February 05, 2012, 09:44:16 PM
wow there are months of ask the coach questions here... :o!
Title: Re: The shot that shoots you
Post by: kaustav on February 05, 2012, 09:45:02 PM
wow there are months of ask the coach questions here... :o!

I have made your month now coach!! Enjoy  :D
Title: Re: The shot that shoots you
Post by: gdb19 on February 05, 2012, 09:52:13 PM
always been the leg stump full delivery. Try and whip the sucker through midwicket only to loose my leg stick. Either play over it or outside it, takes alot of will power to pat it straight back :-(


I'm exactly the same, I'm particularly shocking against left armers and always seem to get bowled leg/middle stump by them.

My other shot that I struggle with is the simple forward defensive as I just don't play it enough - far too tempting to clobber it over cow corner.
Title: Re: The shot that shoots you
Post by: cheese on February 05, 2012, 09:53:30 PM
I would almost fall over your stumps a bit when you play the shot, i.e take a small step and punch it.
[url]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I2m2gliQ6nM[/url] ([url]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I2m2gliQ6nM[/url])
[url]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4bWWQKCc_1o[/url] ([url]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4bWWQKCc_1o[/url])


Great thanks buddy.
This shall prove most usefull. I shall employ this at my next training session.
Title: Re: The shot that shoots you
Post by: pacman75cricket on February 05, 2012, 09:56:58 PM
wow there are months of ask the coach questions here... :o!

No pressure if you can solve these by April :D
Title: Re: The shot that shoots you
Post by: 19reading87 on February 05, 2012, 09:58:02 PM
Hitting the ball :(
Title: Re: The shot that shoots you
Post by: MD2812 on February 05, 2012, 10:01:08 PM
I think coach Buzz can give some good advice here.

Have you checked your backlift? Is it coming too much from thirdman? Also, are you lifting your head while driving?

I have a straight back lift due to a change in technique. In my mind I do not thing I am taking a large enough forwards step (something which I have noticed watching the stride size by England players in UAB against Pakistan.

Just annoys me that I hit a ball cleanly but the bowler holds on, shouldn't be allows IMO as a batsman :P
Title: Re: The shot that shoots you
Post by: mdl_1979 on February 05, 2012, 10:01:45 PM
I'm a top order batter and play reasonably well off front and back foot. But I'm absolutely terrible at using my feet to come at the slow bowlers. I struggle to hold my shape - am probably trying to overhit, but it's one of those things I've never conquered.
Title: Re: The shot that shoots you
Post by: pacman75cricket on February 05, 2012, 10:05:39 PM
I'm a top order batter and play reasonably well off front and back foot. But I'm absolutely terrible at using my feet to come at the slow bowlers. I struggle to hold my shape - am probably trying to overhit, but it's one of those things I've never conquered.

do you play the big shot when you come down the track or just play the ball
Title: Re: The shot that shoots you
Post by: Buzz on February 05, 2012, 10:10:12 PM
no mention of peoples best shot also being a weakness
Title: Re: The shot that shoots you
Post by: kaustav on February 05, 2012, 10:25:13 PM
I'm a top order batter and play reasonably well off front and back foot. But I'm absolutely terrible at using my feet to come at the slow bowlers. I struggle to hold my shape - am probably trying to overhit, but it's one of those things I've never conquered.

The secret of dancing down the track and hitting the ball well lies in 4 steps:

a) Pick up the length quickly and make sure you are balanced on your toes

b) Keep your head still as much as possible

c) Watch the ball till the end; lift your head only when you want to lift the ball.

d) Have a bail out shot in hand when you are deceived in flight or if you think you are losing your balance

My two cents worth of suggestion; see what the coach says.
Title: Re: The shot that shoots you
Post by: gabbers on February 05, 2012, 10:38:34 PM
Mine is also my most prolific shot, the cover drive. Score runs with it then
Play to early and straight into covers hands.
Title: Re: The shot that shoots you
Post by: ajm90 on February 05, 2012, 11:20:55 PM
Anything defensive against spin
Title: Re: The shot that shoots you
Post by: mdl_1979 on February 05, 2012, 11:29:49 PM
do you play the big shot when you come down the track or just play the ball

I normally come down with the intention of hitting a big shot.  To be honest it's not too much of an issue because I just leave it in the locker in anything other than a beer game.  I can hit hard and down the ground from the crease so tend to just do that.
Title: Re: The shot that shoots you
Post by: Joe on February 06, 2012, 06:49:35 AM
no mention of peoples best shot also being a weakness
My best shot is the pull, but I always end up playing it to a ball that's so short it's coming down and bowls me. I play it expecting it to come onto the bat, then it doesn't. That or I try to pull a ball outside off instead of cutting
Title: Re: The shot that shoots you
Post by: Joe on February 06, 2012, 07:14:11 AM
btw for those who can't pull just watch Ponting: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w4u1PTk2al0
Title: Re: The shot that shoots you
Post by: StonyFielder on February 09, 2012, 10:32:57 AM
Can't sweep, won't sweep.

My cooking isn't bad though...
Title: Re: The shot that shoots you
Post by: ianbuchanan on February 09, 2012, 11:24:51 AM
Lofted straight drive. Best shot in many ways as it gets most my runs, however i seem to always get out Caught Behind and caught mid off/on!
Title: Re: The shot that shoots you
Post by: kaustav on February 09, 2012, 11:46:59 AM
We should fire the coach--- so many questions and he is still absconding from the scene  >:(
Title: Re: The shot that shoots you
Post by: Buzz on February 09, 2012, 12:37:46 PM
Right, here goes nothing...



For me it has always been the sweep shot. It does not get me out though as I don't play it at all in games being quite aware of my limitations. I prefer using my feet by going down the track but sweeping--never!
There are a few of you complaining of issues with the sweep shot, to be honest it isn’t a shot I play much myself, however the key is practicing it and knowing what length ball is ideal for you to sweep and to know where you are trying to hit the ball. This will be different for everyone so on that basis, get someone to underarm balls at you to practice the sweep shot until you work out what works for you. For the technical aspects of playing the shot – read Bob Woolmer’s book!!
can't cut. Don't get low enough when cutting spinners and miss it every time, it causes problems. I was batting against chief dobby spinner of dobsville and he bowled 3 overs of short and wide stuff, each of which I played and missed at.
Cutting the spinners is a difficult shot and can be fraught with danger – my suggestion is that you may be trying to hit the ball to hard – try working on the late cut/glide (but don’t do my trademarked late cut straight to first slip...) or playing the shot with a bat at a 45degree angle or straighter – this will require better foot movement to picking the length early (as is key for all shots against spin) will be the deciding factor on the shot
The pull shot.............it is my get out every time shot........always find myself being caught in between the front and back foot. Would just love to be able to play it off the front foot like KP.
But the hook this is a great shot for me.........may be because you can read it better when they are going to properly bang it in short at you?
Pulling the ball, cant do it for love nor money
My suspicion here is that you are trying to pull balls that are too full. It may be that you need to work the ball with a straighter bat – or, again, practice with someone bouncing tennis balls at you.
However if you are going back and then going forward to play the shot, that double movement will not allow you enough time to hit the shot, hence you are getting out, so you need to iron that out asap – one movement, forward or back...

I used to play the cut shot well but could not even hit one last season.
I find trying to drive the ball back past the bowler on the ground difficult, i always seem to offer a c&b rather than it going past the stumps and crossing the ropes. shame cos when i've got it right it feels so good and on T.V it always look sso good.
How are you holding the bat – if you can’t play the straight drive it may be that you are holding the bat with too much bottom hand – without watching you play, I can’t help much further.

Anything defensive against spin
This is most likely a mental issue – you need to gain more patients.

Lofted straight drive. Best shot in many ways as it gets most my runs, however i seem to always get out Caught Behind and caught mid off/on!
Humm – this may be that you are going at balls that aren’t quite there, either too wide (caught behind) or too short (ct mid on/off) that is probably a shot selection issue.
I hope that helps.
Realistically – if you can’t play a shot – then don’t worry about it, leave it in the locker.
As for playing grenade bowlers -  the best thing to do is to hit them for ones and 2’s and wait for the rank full toss or long hop and totally commit to the shot – if you hesitate you will spoon the catch. Also work out where the short boundaries are and target them.
Title: Re: The shot that shoots you
Post by: kaustav on February 09, 2012, 12:41:11 PM
Coach you are the greatest Buzz of all time  :D

Bow down! Bow down! Bow down!
Title: Re: The shot that shoots you
Post by: Dan W on February 09, 2012, 12:53:23 PM
Straight ones that keep low. Always. Just feels as if my bat is too small (I'm not going LB or LH!)
Title: Re: The shot that shoots you
Post by: shirazi_r on February 09, 2012, 08:19:12 PM
Cutting seems to be the bane of my existence. I've never been able to slap away those filthy short wide ones, worse yet, every time I do, I find the fielder. :(
Title: Re: The shot that shoots you
Post by: ianbuchanan on February 09, 2012, 11:26:26 PM
Buzz that really does make sense, can relate what you are saying to a few games last uear! Cheers! :)