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General Cricket => Cricket Training, Fitness and Injuries => Topic started by: strang on May 27, 2019, 01:24:07 PM

Title: best practise/soft ball for catching practise?
Post by: strang on May 27, 2019, 01:24:07 PM
My tendency to drop crucial catches has been winding me up.
I have an internal wall in the workshop I work in and have been throwing a few tennis balls off it each day to try and improve.
Is there a heavier ball (that will still be ok for a plasterboard wall) that you would recommend? Like to get one with the same weight as the game ball. Marking the wall is ok (needs repainting anyway), breaking it isn't.
Title: Re: best practise/soft ball for catching practise?
Post by: LukeFramBurton on May 27, 2019, 03:09:48 PM
I’m not sure how it would compare in terms of weight, but taping up a tennis ball with electrical tape (tapeball) gives it a more realistic response and shouldn’t damage the wall.
Title: Re: best practise/soft ball for catching practise?
Post by: The Palmist on May 27, 2019, 03:18:40 PM
You need to find time in the field and get someone to do throw proper cricket balls either using a fielding bat or side arm. For close catching and improving on reflexes the rebound nets will do a better job than wall.

I struggle with high catches and I am now following the below suggestions by a team mate and it is helping:

Run towards the ball first, judge later. I was often making the mistake of thinking when the ball was high in the air before launching in to my stride.

Catch above eye level.

Title: Re: best practise/soft ball for catching practise?
Post by: Buzz on May 27, 2019, 04:14:02 PM
Use the orange windballs or maybe an incrediball although they fall apart pretty fast.
Title: Re: best practise/soft ball for catching practise?
Post by: rbanners on May 28, 2019, 06:48:40 PM
Use a Lacrosse ball - harder and bouncier and heavier than windballs and really good for reflexes and technique.
Title: Re: best practise/soft ball for catching practise?
Post by: strang on June 11, 2019, 03:31:59 PM
Use a Lacrosse ball - harder and bouncier and heavier than windballs and really good for reflexes and technique.
Got hold of a Lacrosse ball. Can highly recommend. It is almost as heavy as a cricket ball and flies back off the wall with weight behind it = a great challenge and feels pretty realistic to actual game catches.
We'll see if it works this weekend!
Title: Re: best practise/soft ball for catching practise?
Post by: LBWCandidate on June 11, 2019, 05:05:49 PM
Catch above eye level.

Is there a reason for that?