Custom Bats Cricket Forum
General Cricket => Cricket Training, Fitness and Injuries => Topic started by: LDifa on March 20, 2013, 12:03:49 AM
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Hi as the title says, I am adamant that I will not be a pushy parent, I had a wonderful grandad who took the time to teach me how to bowl. My boys are interested in cricket my enthusiasm rubs off, and they have natural hand eye coordination combined with a desire to learn.
Other than keeping the ball down, is there anything I should be focussing on for an 8 & 5 yr old?
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Keep the eyes level key to batting is too see the ball and keeping the head still is the most vital point.
then what is wrong with it in the air? - Note: its along the floor or out the ground! no middle ground :P
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simple things like watch the ball and play
i guess you could also say don't try to hit everyball but being instinctive at this age is okay too.
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The main thing I focus on with my 7 year old is to enjoy it!!! He appears to have a natural talent for the game (bowling especially), so at this stage I think for him to enjoy the game/coaching etc is the most important thing..
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I'd just get them hitting, catching, throwing balls wherever they are just to help their development. Keep a bat and ball in your car so if you go out for the day somewhere they can always play. With your 8 year old I would try and teach him some basic shots. Drive, pull (of a slow bowler), forward defence. Most shots then snowball on from these. With your 5 year old, just keep him hitting balls (probably off a tee? Not sure on his ability), as long as he has the grip, stance and set up right then it ok, you can bring in specific shots when he a bit older. Bowling you could try with both of them, just do it from the one step position. As long as your 5 year old can grasp the way the arm comes over and its straight then the rest can come later.
As long as they don't turn around and say. "Dad I'm bored and want to stop" then you are doing ok!
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My 5 year old just wants to bat. On holiday he will bat all day. Has lots of intersting rules, eg has 1000 lives etc! He'll come to nets and there's always someone who will throw a few down. He seems to have a decent eye for a ball and can make a decent contact most of the time. Likes hitting to cow corner (like his Dad!) and I'm encouraging him to play a couple more shots. My 7yo daughter is being forced to become a bowler!
Just make sure they have a very light bat.
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Most important thing is, get them equipment that is the right size for them - it might only be a £10 DF plank from Sports Direct, but get them a bat that fits them...
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I'd just keep them interested.
Make sure they can hit the ball, make it soft and the bat light.
Keep it fun and light.
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I agree with everything said above - the only thing I would say is that you should encourage the 8 yo to be able to hold the bat properly - most issues with batting come from not watching the ball (that will come with tme) and not holding the bat correctly.
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i wouldnt be too bothered with technique and various shots just yet but i would FORCE them into some very very fundamental techniques of batting ........
holding the bat correctly
having a proper backlift
head straight not tilted
My dad told me it was part of the rules that the batsman had to be stood in the set position (like graham gooch) or the bowler wasnt allowed to bowl the ball and that i had to shout READY to let him know i could bowl. I used to play in the garden with my brother and if he got me out i'd tell him i didnt shout ready so that i couldnt be out.
I first went to the cricket club to play properly when i was about 10 and I was shouting "ready" all the time ......... but i NEVER shouted "IN" after after run like most kids!!!
bowling ... wouldnt bother teaching them, not good for your back as you get older and takes too much effort!
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Thanks everyone, will take it all on board and will try my best to make it fun. Both are keen which is nice, when we walk to school they practice their bowling actions it's just ace:)