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[LMQ21]

I had a discussion with a fellow keeper recently about the position of your feet when keeping.

My friend keeps on his toes whereas I keep with flat feet. My mate has been told that he is keeping wrong and poorly, but Having researched this there appears to be no performance difference on where your feet are, however, flat feet apparently reduces knee wear and tear.

Would be interesting to hear the views of the keepers and coaches on the forum whether there is actually a difference.

[kouservice]

Atleast what I have learned for wicket keeping is to always be on your toes. It is very difficult to take the balls side ways, specially if your up to the stumps with flat feet.
Also regarding the knee wear and tear, I doubt that flat feet will help to reduce it. In weigt lifting(squatting) its beneficial to keep you feet flat to maintain the balance and reduce unecessary pressure on you lower back, but for WK I think the best thing is to be on your toes.

   Just clarify with your friend, for what reasons he has been told that his form is not correct ?

      Check whether your friends,
     1] Stance is correct(width between the foot), bending etc. I dont think standing on toe would be an issue.
     2] Rising with the ball. This is very important when keeping up to the stumps.
     3] Hand positions, I have seen few keepers who stretch their arms too forward and hence loose their balance. This mainly happens when your learing to reciece the ball, you try to take it way forward from your body.
   
     

[Coach]

Lateral movement is quicker from the ball of the foot than from a flat foot start, that is scientifically supported.

 There was an interesting piece on sky yesterday about the difference in Ronchi and Buttlers keeping highlighting the fact that Ronchi was slower to move laterally for this exact reason.

However keeping is a personal thing, try and bring your weight slightly forward, more towards the ball of your foot and see how it suits you.