Custom Bats Cricket Forum

General Cricket => Cricket Training, Fitness and Injuries => Topic started by: adam1312 on June 03, 2012, 10:52:15 PM

Title: Hit the ball harder
Post by: adam1312 on June 03, 2012, 10:52:15 PM
Im 15
I have a bit with a big middle (harrow, GN Legend)
A lot of the time even when I time the ball it doesn't go to the boundary
So what can I do to hit the ball harder (but not try too hard so timing still there) mostly off straight drive, cover drive, back foot drive down ground and cover, cut shot and pull are the main shots I want to hit better/ harder (along the ground, maybe occasionally try to hit sixes down ground but really not often)
Title: Re: Hit the ball harder
Post by: jw17 on June 03, 2012, 11:25:48 PM
Hit the gym
Title: Re: Hit the ball harder
Post by: NathRobbo88 on June 03, 2012, 11:29:56 PM
Im 15

This.

Don't worry, wait till you grow up and fill out abit. A teammate who I play with had a similar problem to yours, but this year it all seems to have clicked into place. Just give yourself time, it's nothing to worry about.
Title: Re: Hit the ball harder
Post by: Buzz on June 04, 2012, 09:00:24 AM
you just have to be patient, it will come. as you get bigger and the bowling gets faster hitting 4's and 6's becomes easier.
Title: Re: Hit the ball harder
Post by: cheese on June 04, 2012, 09:09:36 AM
Get of the computer and practice.
Title: Re: Hit the ball harder
Post by: Bez013 on June 04, 2012, 09:17:38 AM
As has been said keep patient, you will start to hit boundaries as you get bigger/stronger.  Don't try to overhit the ball and I would suggest that you don't constantly strive to hit boudaries.

I umpired a 15 year old playing in an adult game a couple of weeks ago and he ended up trying to slog every ball and missing a lot despite looking decent when playing properly.  He was getting frustrated as he was generally finding fielders or not getting enough power to find the boundaries but never looked like getting out.  He had a decent technique when playing normally but the moment he started swinging hard his head position went and he wasn't watching the ball.

Rather than trying to hit the ball harder try to improve the placement of your shots so that they are going away from the fielders making 2s easier, move around the crease a little or use your feet to change the angles.
Title: Re: Hit the ball harder
Post by: Bez013 on June 04, 2012, 09:18:33 AM
Get of the computer and practice.

is this the modern equivalent of Why Don't You Just Switch Off Your Television Set and Go and Do Something Less Boring Instead?
Title: Re: Hit the ball harder
Post by: A-Swing-And-A-Miss on June 04, 2012, 10:57:37 AM
I personally don't find strength helps with hitting boundary's, for me its all about bat speed and timing. Look at James Taylor, he is a small lad yet hits some huge sixes because he has a good bat speed and times the ball incredibly well.

I'm a lanky 16 year old and was at a similar stage last year as you are now, I wasn't hitting many boundary's and so tried to smash the cover off the ball usually ending in me getting out. I haven't really changed physically since last year however I've taken my mind off trying to smash the ball and instead am just focusing on timing the ball, which is meaning I am hitting the ball far better than last year.

Stop worrying about trying to replicate your hero KP by smashing the ball to all parts and just focus on playing your natural game, you will hit the ball far cleaner and get more boundary's.
Title: Re: Hit the ball harder
Post by: ajm90 on June 04, 2012, 12:25:10 PM
I never hit a six until i was 15 but now 3 years later i clear the rope regularly, I personally think it comes down more to timing than physical strenth and Its a lot easier when theres more pace on the ball from the bowler.
Title: Re: Hit the ball harder
Post by: Milky Bar Kid on June 04, 2012, 01:56:44 PM
Find a smaller ground. Helped me a lot! ;)
Title: Re: Hit the ball harder
Post by: Canners on June 04, 2012, 02:07:56 PM
get a better bat :)
Title: Re: Hit the ball harder
Post by: Wills on June 04, 2012, 02:19:27 PM
*insert shameless plug for blank bats*
Title: Re: Hit the ball harder
Post by: gdb19 on June 04, 2012, 02:27:41 PM
I tend to hit more 6's than singles but I find the bigger shots come when I just try to time it and not go for big hits. If you score runs and have a decent technique don't worry about big hits. I reckon I regularly hit sixes a long way (google maps says around 100 metres) but I simply don't score enough runs as I hit cross line and don't bat sensibly. You're better off playing your own way and when you're a bit older/stronger the boundaries will become easier to hit.
Title: Re: Hit the ball harder
Post by: jw17 on June 04, 2012, 05:22:40 PM
I regularly hit sixes a long way (google maps says around 100 metres)

Oh hello Chris, didn't realise you were a forum member?
Title: Re: Hit the ball harder
Post by: gdb19 on June 04, 2012, 05:30:36 PM
I wish, for every one that goes that far another takes my middle stump and google maps might not be that accurate. I do hit the ball a long way but I'd much rather be able to bat properly. Might have come across a bit big headed in my original post and that wasn't my aim, the main point was to just concentrate on batting as well as you can and not worry about boundaries if that's not your game.
Title: Re: Hit the ball harder
Post by: RossViper on June 04, 2012, 07:03:09 PM
.... I reckon I regularly hit sixes a long way (google maps says around 100 metres)....

HERO!!!  ;-)
Title: Re: Hit the ball harder
Post by: Watsontotty on June 04, 2012, 07:17:59 PM
I'm not confident this is something that could be coached at this age, obvious things like the stronger you are the more dominant you can be within your natural game. You could swing from the hip however you may connect from time to time but this certinly wont make you a better player in any way, build up your strength and play with a correct technique and the rest will come.
Title: Re: Hit the ball harder
Post by: pacman75cricket on June 04, 2012, 07:24:27 PM
Don't worry it will come, just be confident and fully commit to your strokes.  Keep your shape.
Title: Re: Hit the ball harder
Post by: swamidude on June 06, 2012, 08:47:44 AM
Also a lot of shot power is generated in your forearms and wrists, so the more you play, either in the nets, on the square or in front of a mirror the more power you'll be able to get into your shots.
With this said if you look at players like Dravid, he's fairly thin but his timing and technique gets the ball to the boundary so you should probably look to improve your game through these aspects and let the power follow through after you perfect your strokeplay.
Title: Re: Hit the ball harder
Post by: Blazer on June 06, 2012, 09:21:19 AM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xuaoaP3gnCA (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xuaoaP3gnCA)
  hope this serves you right :P
Title: Re: Hit the ball harder
Post by: tim2000s on June 06, 2012, 11:46:46 AM
[url]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xuaoaP3gnCA[/url] ([url]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xuaoaP3gnCA[/url])
  hope this serves you right :P

See, "Watch the ball, hit the ball". Simples  :D
Title: Re: Hit the ball harder
Post by: Chad on July 23, 2012, 05:53:56 PM
Just like everyone else says on this thread, just give it time and you will eventually be able to find the boundary more frequently. Don't try to force it and swing from the hip to try get the boundaries, as this can lead to you being very bottom handed in your batting, just bat like you do and sensibly. Practice shots while facing a mirror and make sure that you really bring that top arm up while driving, and perhaps even practice against throw downs using only top hand. This will strengthen your top hand and help you play through the line better. Watch your shapes as you do this and remember to keep a good balance before, during and after the shot. Once you grow a little taller and start using short handles, you will find that you can hit the ball further.

Hope this helps!
Title: Re: Hit the ball harder
Post by: Mr Cricket on July 23, 2012, 07:15:37 PM
it's a lot to do with timing.

a good drill: grab your match bat in your top hand (i.e. left hand for rhb) and bounce the ball on it for 10 minutes per day.
Title: Re: Hit the ball harder
Post by: spl on July 23, 2012, 07:29:41 PM
If you are still using a harrow, that probably isn't helping as less leverage/smaller middle.  But there's no point going up until you have grown.  No that its any consolation, but listen to everyone here.  Be patient.  I've seen loads of juniors completely change in 12 months from growing.

If you really are desperate, get a heavy bat to net with.  Getting used to it will improve your bat speed when you go back to your bat.  I wouldn't recommend using it for an extended period though, and make sure you do your best keep your shape throughout.  Its best to do with a bowling machine as then you know roughly the shot before you play it so you can focus on form.
Title: Re: Hit the ball harder
Post by: GarrettJ on July 23, 2012, 07:50:56 PM
hit the ball using your arms and shoulders not dabbing at it with your hands and maker sure your body is moving towards the direction of the ball.

Start the shot using the top hand/arm and then both togethter as the bat travels towards your back leg then both aolng the straight line ending with the bottom hand after the front leg.

at 15 i wouldnt worry about hitting boundaries, 1 a ball in most forms of hte game at oyur age will see you getting a good score and if you are going for 1 a ball you shouldnt be taking any uneccessaryt risks such as swithc hit, sweeps, reverse sweeps or these crazy dil scoops.

learn to play proper cricket with a proper technique and you will move up the levels a lot easier.

cricket is about consistancy, not a few cameo innings'