Custom Bats Cricket Forum
General Cricket => Cricket Training, Fitness and Injuries => Topic started by: velvetsky01 on January 08, 2020, 09:23:47 AM
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Hi Guys,
With clubs starting to get back to it with the start of winter nets - I was interested to know how do your club run club nets/training during the winter months.
Is it just a case of 2 or 3 lanes booked at a sports centre or cricket academy and everyone bowls and bats? Which is what my club have always done - however I am wanting to move away from this (hence this thread)
I am wanting to have abit more structure where the recognised batsman get longer to practice and bowlers take their practice seriously. As well as fielding drills. So just looking for ideas that may have worked for you all to keep everyone happy, engaged and attending! Or have you found that this is maybe more an individual thing (ie players taking control of their own practice in small groups on a seperate day - this is what I have done over the winter) and club nets are just where everyone gets a go.
Be interested to hear everyone's experiences
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Bowlers like batting too...
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Hi Guys,
With clubs starting to get back to it with the start of winter nets - I was interested to know how do your club run club nets/training during the winter months.
Is it just a case of 2 or 3 lanes booked at a sports centre or cricket academy and everyone bowls and bats? Which is what my club have always done - however I am wanting to move away from this (hence this thread)
I am wanting to have abit more structure where the recognised batsman get longer to practice and bowlers take their practice seriously. As well as fielding drills. So just looking for ideas that may have worked for you all to keep everyone happy, engaged and attending! Or have you found that this is maybe more an individual thing (ie players taking control of their own practice in small groups on a seperate day - this is what I have done over the winter) and club nets are just where everyone gets a go.
Be interested to hear everyone's experiences
In the past I've been in charge of player development across both 1st and 2nd XI and have run some sessions that were a bit different from normal nets.
Batting nets - limited to 6-8 people, 2 nets, with a bowling machine in one, and throwdowns in the other. Batsmen required to email ahead and identify what they want to work on so I can plan drills accordingly.
Bowling drills - no need for nets, just book any old sports hall. These worked well when each session had a theme - we had one on run-up and alignment through the crease, another on upper body mechanics, another on wrist position, seam position and variations. We split the groups into two and had them compete - who could hit a double set of stumps most times out of 12, who could land their balls in the tightest cluster, who could swing or spin the ball around the post. I made them do this once at the start then again at the end after I'd given them all some individual pointers - every group got better by at least 50%!
Also we found that a game of modified indoor cricket worked well for getting people thinking about shot placement, fielding and running before the season. We made it so there were no extra points for hitting the back wall - 1 run for hitting any wall and 2 runs for each completed run. People agreed that this was a really useful complement to normal nets.
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We just have the traditional nets indoors until it's light enough. Even then our practice isn't great in terms of structure, so I generally have a dedicated net with a few others on another night if possible.
I think a lot of club practice could be improved, but it's difficult if like us you have 3 teams and everyone wants to bat.
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Hi Guys,
With clubs starting to get back to it with the start of winter nets - I was interested to know how do your club run club nets/training during the winter months.
Is it just a case of 2 or 3 lanes booked at a sports centre or cricket academy and everyone bowls and bats? Which is what my club have always done - however I am wanting to move away from this (hence this thread)
I am wanting to have abit more structure where the recognised batsman get longer to practice and bowlers take their practice seriously. As well as fielding drills. So just looking for ideas that may have worked for you all to keep everyone happy, engaged and attending! Or have you found that this is maybe more an individual thing (ie players taking control of their own practice in small groups on a seperate day - this is what I have done over the winter) and club nets are just where everyone gets a go.
Be interested to hear everyone's experiences
I'm not a bowler at all BUT.. LIke Buzz says.. Bowlers like batting too!! After all, it's the best part of the game.
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5 Lanes
3 x Bowling Machines set to different shots for drilling. Batsmen removed from them if they start playing anything but the drilled shots. 2 Nets for standard Bowling where there are 'cones' set out and bowlers have to hit their cone. If they are 'fast' then they hit the red zone, if they are plod.. green... if they are spin.. blue (chalk lines drawn on the floor too). Batsmen told to basically not get out and any slogging/biffing and you're removed (unless it's their game as it is for a few lads.. they are allowed).. Why.. because just hitting on the up inside on flat decks that come in is literally zero use and it just pee's bowlers off and then we get the standard club net of bowlers bouncing players or just not really bothering and the whole point is then lost.
It's the only way we've found of nets not decending into bowlers bowling bouncers or simply not really trying and batters playing all these attacking shots that they simply can't really do outside (excluding on the odd road).
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We typically have our senior nets on a Thursday - Three lanes: One with a spin mat for you guessed it the spinners, second lane is for seamers/ quick bowlers and the third lane is set up with a weekly challenge on the bowling machine or with the club captain who is coaching. (Just before Christmas was a spin week. So, off spin on the bowling machine, practicing a combination of defence with men around the bat simulated with cones and then playing it generally)
We then also have the fourth lane available if anybody wants something else - I have grown up as a keeper and as such never learnt the trade of bowling, so make myself available to give throwdowns or use the sidearm with people as they've given the time to bowl to me.
At my club we are very lucky to have our own four lane indoor centre so have access to that during the week when it is not in use by other clubs or individuals. This means we normally have a smaller group of us who have another session in the week. This is a bit more technical as the lads who attend are more into the game. Last night we had a bowling machine set up and myself with throwdowns and the sidearm working on specifically playing straight. Small group only 3 of us last night.
Once its light enough we'll go outside and start with 30 mins of fielding split into two groups and then either move inside to net or hopefully have an outdoor wicket prepared to practice on - not as often as we would all like though.
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5 Lanes
3 x Bowling Machines set to different shots for drilling. Batsmen removed from them if they start playing anything but the drilled shots. 2 Nets for standard Bowling where there are 'cones' set out and bowlers have to hit their cone. If they are 'fast' then they hit the red zone, if they are plod.. green... if they are spin.. blue (chalk lines drawn on the floor too). Batsmen told to basically not get out and any slogging/biffing and you're removed (unless it's their game as it is for a few lads.. they are allowed).. Why.. because just hitting on the up inside on flat decks that come in is literally zero use and it just pee's bowlers off and then we get the standard club net of bowlers bouncing players or just not really bothering and the whole point is then lost.
It's the only way we've found of nets not decending into bowlers bowling bouncers or simply not really trying and batters playing all these attacking shots that they simply can't really do outside (excluding on the odd road).
This sounds excellent. Is definitely one of the more annoying things when nets in the past have just transformed into short ball competitions and batsmen just trying to whack absolutely everything. Is it just a case of everyone knowing the score or do you need an "enforcer" to move them on should they start randomly swinging from the hip?
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This sounds excellent. Is definitely one of the more annoying things when nets in the past have just transformed into short ball competitions and batsmen just trying to whack absolutely everything. Is it just a case of everyone knowing the score or do you need an "enforcer" to move them on should they start randomly swinging from the hip?
We have someone in each bowling net as 'umpire'. They are a senior player so as soon as a batter (it's nearly always started by the batter sadly hitting out or playing their shots just because it's indoor and a road) start doing things they shouldn't they warn them.. after that you're removed from the net. On the machines the feeders regulate it and as everyone wants to bat people are hot on calling it out. If you want to 'train' such shots you go last on the day and then bowelrs can choose if they want to bowl at you. Generally the more non bowlers will but the main bowlers have no interest in it so it's a waste of their time.
It just stops it decending into a farce which sadly is my experience of nearly every single club net I've been to. Bowlers bouncing people endlessly or people just wanging it down and batters playing shots they simply never will more than the odd time all season. We do allow people the last 15 ish mins if they want to do those types of things but we find 95% of the people walk away
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Yes, I've seen various structures used. Mostly though our nets are just free range bowling at the batters. Most people are sensible and try to work on their game seriously. Noone has ever bowled a head height bouncer that I noticed.
Quite a fun drill is to have 2 batters in each net and include running between the wicket whenever they make decent contact. That way you get a slightly more match like feel and a fun variation.
One local club has separate nets for the different teams. While this makes sure that 5th teamers don't get bounced at 90mph it does mean that the lower squads don't practice against better bowling.
If you give more time to recognised batters it might be good to include also 'improving' batters as otherwise you may not get any new recognised batters...
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We had 2 loads of nets last winter. There was the usual Friday night 3 or 4 lanes, pay £5 to bowl for 50 minutes and face wides for 10 minutes each.
We then had "invite only" nets for the 1st/2nd XI. This was 5 lanes. There would be 1 batsman in one of the lanes with bowlers taking it in turns to have an over. The coach would then give the bowler and batsman a scenario so it was a constructive use of time, not just trying to smash everything as hard as possible!
The remaining 4 lanes were opened up and fielding circuits were done. The last 10/15 minutes everyone would go into the fielding lanes and we'd have a game of some sort so the session ended with a bit of fun.
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In the past my club has mostly reserved 'proper' practice for coached sessions and left nets as just nets, having tried the odd more focused session and found it didn't really suit us - two team club with a net attendance that's usually a bit of a mix. Trying to find the balance between training and not taking it too seriously can be difficult - as much as Adie's system sounds like good practice I suspect I probably wouldn't last long.
We came to a good compromise last year which has since worked well - everyone bats in pairs, which I find helps you get a lot more out of nets as you can bat for half an hour rather than just 10/15 minutes, and have the time at the non-strikers end to think rather than just ball after ball. Rotate strike every 4 balls to keep it simple, batsmen keep each other in check - get out or play a particularly horrific shot then you change ends immediately. Then without getting daft about it we try and work the pairs/nets out so that everyone is getting appropriate practice - top order players will get at least a good period against a solid net of bowlers, that kind of thing. All in all it mostly works well to keep things from getting stale and deals with the wide variety of abilities we have without making a big deal about it. Then every few weeks we'll have a more targeted session to keep people focused - scenarios, batsmen rotating the strike v bowlers trying to dry them up, etc. Seems to strike a decent balance for us.
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In the past my club has mostly reserved 'proper' practice for coached sessions and left nets as just nets, having tried the odd more focused session and found it didn't really suit us - two team club with a net attendance that's usually a bit of a mix. Trying to find the balance between training and not taking it too seriously can be difficult - as much as Adie's system sounds like good practice I suspect I probably wouldn't last long.
We came to a good compromise last year which has since worked well - everyone bats in pairs, which I find helps you get a lot more out of nets as you can bat for half an hour rather than just 10/15 minutes, and have the time at the non-strikers end to think rather than just ball after ball. Rotate strike every 4 balls to keep it simple, batsmen keep each other in check - get out or play a particularly horrific shot then you change ends immediately. Then without getting daft about it we try and work the pairs/nets out so that everyone is getting appropriate practice - top order players will get at least a good period against a solid net of bowlers, that kind of thing. All in all it mostly works well to keep things from getting stale and deals with the wide variety of abilities we have without making a big deal about it. Then every few weeks we'll have a more targeted session to keep people focused - scenarios, batsmen rotating the strike v bowlers trying to dry them up, etc. Seems to strike a decent balance for us.
I have to say this method we have whilst it seems better doesn't really improve players overly because a few net sessions just aren't really enough to do any genuine improvements.. It's still just balls faced really
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I'm not a bowler at all BUT.. LIke Buzz says.. Bowlers like batting too!! After all, it's the best part of the game.
Don't know if all out bowlers will appreciate this statement :D :D :D
but I do like to bat too, as you said :)
but I don't have to bat every net.
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anyone else bored of people bringing rock hard new balls to nets and bowling bumpers constantly on fast bouncy indoor nets? last week we had 3 guys all do it in the same net, didn't pitch a single ball up and wasted everyones time. they will be in for a shock when they bowl that length in the first game.
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The nets we’re using at the moment are so comically bouncy and fast that anyone bowling at around 50mph can bowl bumpers. It’s totally pointless, and after a few weeks the novelty seems to have worn off. I’m still batting about 3 yards outside of my crease though, as good length balls get up a bit too much.
Thank goodness I have access to another net with more realistic bounce. A lot of batters and bowlers will be in for a big shock come the end of April.
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our indoor nets are no use unless you're about to bat on the oval square every game. one of the guys had a go back at me when I asked him to pitch it up, everything pitched up just gets whacked because theres no movement and it comes on well. so all they are now going to do is bowl short so it doesn't come back at them.
means i'll probably only got to a few nets or just have throw downs with a sidearm
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The last few years it's been the same, brainless slogging and 50mph bouncers, waste of everyone's time.
This year me and another senior player are trying something new, 2 nets, our recognised bowlers in one "situation" net, bowling to a mark and a plan, the non bowlers in the other "warm up" net, throw downs and bowling so the batsman can warm up before he gets to the "situation" net, each batsman will have a similar goal to what they would have on a Saturday, if they get out, they're out (a few weren't happy hearing this), just hoping they all buy into it
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Been a long time since I've regularly netted anywhere with enough bounce to have this problem! It's usually two ways, bowlers don't like being pointlessly slogged and digging it in is the only real response on a flat indoor net. Couldn't be any less of a fan of 'if you're out you're out' though.
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You could try and tell people to run a three every time they are called out. I think after a christmas period of roasts and desserts this might make people slog a little bit less. Always tough to enforce, I think everywhere has the same problem.
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I wouldn't go to a net where I could be out first ball then bowl for an hour and 45 minutes, not a bad idea if you said first half of your net is ok but after then if your out that's it. at least there is a chance of a long bat. might do us a favour, got skittled far too many times last year and they could all do with learning a defense
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We typically have our senior nets on a Thursday - Three lanes: One with a spin mat for you guessed it the spinners, second lane is for seamers/ quick bowlers and the third lane is set up with a weekly challenge on the bowling machine or with the club captain who is coaching. (Just before Christmas was a spin week. So, off spin on the bowling machine, practicing a combination of defence with men around the bat simulated with cones and then playing it generally)
We then also have the fourth lane available if anybody wants something else - I have grown up as a keeper and as such never learnt the trade of bowling, so make myself available to give throwdowns or use the sidearm with people as they've given the time to bowl to me.
At my club we are very lucky to have our own four lane indoor centre so have access to that during the week when it is not in use by other clubs or individuals. This means we normally have a smaller group of us who have another session in the week. This is a bit more technical as the lads who attend are more into the game. Last night we had a bowling machine set up and myself with throwdowns and the sidearm working on specifically playing straight. Small group only 3 of us last night.
Once its light enough we'll go outside and start with 30 mins of fielding split into two groups and then either move inside to net or hopefully have an outdoor wicket prepared to practice on - not as often as we would all like though.
i need to join a club like this
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you have to have a purpose to nets
if bowlers want to bowl for the season, getting smashed full shouldn't be an issue however one tool is to have "chances" - if the batter hits it in the air that's one chances - 3 chances and you're out.
it isn't perfect but it may make batters think before bombing it to cover, mid on or mid off. just need some consequence for the batters and some incentive for the bowlers
otherwise I try and find a mate and learn to sidearm
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i need to join a club like this
Feel free to move up to the North West @Canners I'll happily exchange some sidearm sessions for a Keeley or two :D
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We typically have our senior nets on a Thursday - Three lanes: One with a spin mat for you guessed it the spinners, second lane is for seamers/ quick bowlers and the third lane is set up with a weekly challenge on the bowling machine or with the club captain who is coaching.
Do you guys do this consistently or is it a once-in-a-while thing?
If you do it consistently, then you must play for a club with very good cricket standard (ergo high level cricketers).
To make nets work, you need people who know what they are doing and know how to get the training results they want. Good nets are choreographed events. 2-3 people with a good plan and determination to stay on course is all it needs to make practice work. Unfortunately, people fall for the trap of "comfort" and "fun" when drilling in the nets.
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Every week - unless there is a football match on and we know numbers will be low.
I think it's a combination of high level cricketers, those who have played some higher level stuff and players who are determined to improve, I dont think the standard will be any higher than what some people play on the forum.
These attitudes also show in the actual way people go about their practice in each of the lanes, everyone will get a go but those who are more determined to work on their game and improve will stick to the plan and play properly. Those who are not quite as determined won't get as much out of the practice but that is up to them and they are free to practice how they want (In each lane of course). But i'd encourage everyone to practice actual things that might happen, rather than just clearing the left leg, inside edging a shot over the top and thinking hmmm I didn't quite get that but its not out.
Totally agree! Thats what we use our smaller sessions throughout the week for. Three of us went down this saturday and just hit underarms for a while, might not sound much fun to a lot of people, but for me I was working on a specific problem with my game and by the end of the session I was playing better and therefore happy. There is three of us down tonight to practice and myself and the captain practicing tomorrow, we'll go with specific things we want to work on and tailor the session to that.
This is all in the hope it making a difference come April anyway :D
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^ Very cool!
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i need to join a club like this
Me too! I'd practice most days if I had the opportunity and facilities.
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^ Very cool!
We're very fortunate to have the facilities that we do and the fact that most other clubs around us dont book the hall every night with all 4 lanes. As we got closer to the season and nearby clubs start booking more often we will have less opportunity. Just means the full nets on a thursday night become even more important.
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Me too! I'd practice most days if I had the opportunity and facilities.
Always looking for more players if anyone is around the North West, Wirral/Liverpool area feel free to drop me a message. :D
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Our club nets has been so rubbish ever since I played there. People come, bat,bowl and that's it. No senior ever advised anything to anyone. 1st team always batted with 1st teamer so 2nd/3rd had no chance to improve.
These days I don't bother with club nets but practice with few like minded where we advise each other according to our experience.
Will try to post videos soon
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Always looking for more players if anyone is around the North West, Wirral/Liverpool area feel free to drop me a message. :D
Bit far out for me mate being the other (or the right) side of the Pennines! 😉 Thanks though, sounds a great set up.