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General Cricket => Cricket Training, Fitness and Injuries => Topic started by: The Palmist on May 22, 2019, 11:21:34 AM

Title: Cannot clear infield and unable to keep it on the ground
Post by: The Palmist on May 22, 2019, 11:21:34 AM
I have always had trouble keeping the ball on ground so I started working on strength training and up until this year, I could easily clear the ropes or just defend or cut/pull. Happy Days.

Now I am seeing a problem, since I started running I have lost a lot of muscle weight and I am struggling to clear infield.

So, I need to learn on how to keep the ball on the ground and drive rather than loft.

Any tips will be most helpful.

regards,
Shan
Title: Re: Cannot clear infield and unable to keep it on the ground
Post by: AJ2014 on May 22, 2019, 11:47:22 AM
Think waiting longer for the ball will help doing all this
Title: Re: Cannot clear infield and unable to keep it on the ground
Post by: Yorkershire on May 22, 2019, 11:51:25 AM
Keeping it on the ground is all about head position (and balance/shape) and getting over the ball. If your head is back and and you are hitting the ball early you are probably more than likely to put it in the air. I'm sure there are exceptions but that's the gist.

Re off the square, you don't always need strength, use the pace of the quick bowlers and look for gaps. Maybe do some shadow drills alongside your strength training.

Re power hitting, power comes from the ground up, maybe incorporate some body weight squats into your routine. Also lead with the hips rather than the head if you want to clear the boundary...

I have the theory but I've yet to put  a lot of it in practice too ;)
Title: Re: Cannot clear infield and unable to keep it on the ground
Post by: InternalTraining on May 22, 2019, 12:41:57 PM
Now I am seeing a problem, since I started running I have lost a lot of muscle weight and I am struggling to clear infield.

It is probably technique instead of muscles.

If a team mate can make a video of you batting with bowler in frame, you can see frame-by-frame your body movements with respect to the delivery.
Title: Re: Cannot clear infield and unable to keep it on the ground
Post by: The Palmist on May 22, 2019, 08:48:37 PM
Keeping it on the ground is all about head position (and balance/shape) and getting over the ball. If your head is back and and you are hitting the ball early you are probably more than likely to put it in the air. I'm sure there are exceptions but that's the gist.

Re off the square, you don't always need strength, use the pace of the quick bowlers and look for gaps. Maybe do some shadow drills alongside your strength training.

Re power hitting, power comes from the ground up, maybe incorporate some body weight squats into your routine. Also lead with the hips rather than the head if you want to clear the boundary...

I have the theory but I've yet to put  a lot of it in practice too ;)

Excellent point about head ...mine is usually rocking back and by the time the shot is complete, I am usually looking up.
Title: Re: Cannot clear infield and unable to keep it on the ground
Post by: Calzehbhoy on May 23, 2019, 07:25:56 AM
Excellent point about head ...mine is usually rocking back and by the time the shot is complete, I am usually looking up.

Yeah that’d do it!
Title: Re: Cannot clear infield and unable to keep it on the ground
Post by: Seniorplayer on May 23, 2019, 08:30:08 AM
This is easy to put right unless I intend to rarely hit the ball in the air  keep your shape head still eyes level when playing your shot  get your head over the ball and DONT lift your head until you are through the shot as this ensures the ball stays on the ground
Title: Re: Cannot clear infield and unable to keep it on the ground
Post by: The Palmist on May 23, 2019, 02:29:11 PM
This is easy to put right unless I intend to rarely hit the ball in the air  keep your shape head still eyes level when playing your shot  get your head over the ball and DONT lift your head until you are through the shot as this ensures the ball stays on the ground

This worked in nets, the only trouble was I didn't think I am generating enough power through the swing.

Need to work on timing.

Keep in mind previously even my bad shots were compensated by power and would end up clearing the ropes.
Title: Re: Cannot clear infield and unable to keep it on the ground
Post by: jjelricksmith on May 23, 2019, 03:00:39 PM
This worked in nets, the only trouble was I didn't think I am generating enough power through the swing.

Need to work on timing.

Keep in mind previously even my bad shots were compensated by power and would end up clearing the ropes.

You really dont need power through the ball if you time it and theres any speed on the ball. Granted if someone is bowling you hand grenades in sunday league please follow the famous technique of clear the front dog and mow.
Title: Re: Cannot clear infield and unable to keep it on the ground
Post by: Seniorplayer on May 23, 2019, 05:16:03 PM
This worked in nets, the only trouble was I didn't think I am generating enough power through the swing.

Need to work on timing.

Keep in mind previously even my bad shots were compensated by power and would end up clearing the ropes.
To compensate for lack of power
Maybe worth using a lighter bat to increase your bat speed that's what I had to do.
Title: Re: Cannot clear infield and unable to keep it on the ground
Post by: The Palmist on May 23, 2019, 07:08:40 PM
To compensate for lack of power
Maybe worth using a lighter bat to increase your bat speed that's what I had to do.

Some great suggestions here, I am going to work on head position and slowly increase the power, focus on timing :-)

Already on 2.6 bat
Title: Re: Cannot clear infield and unable to keep it on the ground
Post by: AJ2014 on May 23, 2019, 09:07:14 PM
2.6lb, too light, you need good amount of willow as well, especially on uncovered pitches
Title: Re: Cannot clear infield and unable to keep it on the ground
Post by: Seniorplayer on May 24, 2019, 07:58:37 AM
2.6lb, too light, you need good amount of willow as well, especially on uncovered pitches

Not if you can't swing it.
Title: Re: Cannot clear infield and unable to keep it on the ground
Post by: richthekeeper on May 24, 2019, 12:44:47 PM
Sounds like you’re not waiting for the ball long enough. I have the same problem - when I’m trying to hit a big shot I often throw my hands at the ball and connect too early, way out in front of my body. This has the effect of spooning the ball in the air because my body weight and momentum aren’t driving power through the shot.

Lately I’ve been drawing an imaginary circle around me in my stance and telling myself to wait til the ball is in my circle!
Title: Re: Cannot clear infield and unable to keep it on the ground
Post by: Mattsky on May 24, 2019, 01:54:34 PM
Similar to the 'box' that AB DeVilliers imagines around him.
Title: Re: Cannot clear infield and unable to keep it on the ground
Post by: SLA on May 24, 2019, 02:30:07 PM
I have always had trouble keeping the ball on ground so I started working on strength training and up until this year, I could easily clear the ropes or just defend or cut/pull. Happy Days.

Now I am seeing a problem, since I started running I have lost a lot of muscle weight and I am struggling to clear infield.

So, I need to learn on how to keep the ball on the ground and drive rather than loft.

Any tips will be most helpful.

regards,
Shan


You don't have to be a muscle bound beast to hit 6's, you just need to hit the ball out of the middle of the bat. Before you change anything, I would try to re-diagnose your problem, if I were you.


I've played with loads of small, short, skinny guys, young and old, who can easily clear the rope with a well-timed flick of the wrists.



Title: Re: Cannot clear infield and unable to keep it on the ground
Post by: The Palmist on May 25, 2019, 07:43:43 PM
Ok so I followed all the suggestions and here's how it went

First ball faced was straying on to my pads towards leg side, just s a gentle flick and it raced to boundary.

Second ball a short and slow bouncer, placed behind square leg and another boundary

Third ball was right in the slot, hit through the line with my head over it and it beat mid on... another boundary

Now I was feeling invincible....tried to club the fourth ball, missed totally, head was up in the air and clean bowled :-(((

So I think I have learnt what I need to work on and discipline will be one of the things I will be giving extra focus on this season.
Title: Re: Cannot clear infield and unable to keep it on the ground
Post by: AJ2014 on May 26, 2019, 07:30:02 AM
Ok so I followed all the suggestions and here's how it went

First ball faced was straying on to my pads towards leg side, just s a gentle flick and it raced to boundary.

Second ball a short and slow bouncer, placed behind square leg and another boundary

Third ball was right in the slot, hit through the line with my head over it and it beat mid on... another boundary

Now I was feeling invincible....tried to club the fourth ball, missed totally, head was up in the air and clean bowled :-(((

So I think I have learnt what I need to work on and discipline will be one of the things I will be giving extra focus on this season.
Keep your head down  and wait for the ball,
Those 4s meant you did both of this
Title: Re: Cannot clear infield and unable to keep it on the ground
Post by: mav on June 04, 2019, 03:53:39 AM
To hit along the ground you need to play it bit late and same ball if you want to play over the top just hit bit early. For me its about bat angle meeting the ball.
/. This shall be a ground shot
\. This will go over the top
Title: Re: Cannot clear infield and unable to keep it on the ground
Post by: strang on June 04, 2019, 01:07:51 PM
Check your grip is "orthodox" - I only found out this year that the way I had been holding the bat since I was a kid was wrong, and I had the same problem that you describe. I was holding the bat with the back of the left hand facing the bowler ie. round the front of the bat. Meant I couldn't keep the ball down and made me nervous about driving. Might explain why I always love playing off the back foot though  ;)
Title: Re: Cannot clear infield and unable to keep it on the ground
Post by: richthekeeper on June 04, 2019, 01:14:07 PM
Can you explain this with a picture? I’m not sure what you mean.
Title: Re: Cannot clear infield and unable to keep it on the ground
Post by: The Palmist on June 04, 2019, 05:43:40 PM
Can you explain this with a picture? I’m not sure what you mean.

Second that.

I am intrigued also.
Title: Re: Cannot clear infield and unable to keep it on the ground
Post by: Psi on June 05, 2019, 08:28:38 AM
I'm guessing you mean the 'v' between thumb and forefinger on top hand is too far round the bat towards the body? I had the same issue and correcting it did help keep the ball down (but you still have to time it, sadly...)