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[Jason_Yuan]

Hi all, i got a coaching session to do tomorrow and the session aim is to advance down the wicket to get to the pitch of the ball to hit through the gap. This might sound strange but does anyone know what principles are needed for this, as i struggle to think of any except for improvisation.

cheers for the help.

[smokem]

Hey Jase!

As you know, I'm not a coach but certainly do have an opinion! To me it sounds like the opposite of improvisation, but more like playing a spinner in a traditional way - advancing down the wicket, getting to the pitch of the ball and hitting the ball through the gap (preferably along the ground). But that's just my initial thought...

Having said all that, since it's a coaching session (and you're still a young fella) it's probably a good idea to direct this question to your coach first. I know there are coaches on this forum but I would say your coach would probably appreciate it if you followed his advice first and not be distracted by other thoughts. If you don't get the result you're seeking from this coach, then ask for the advice of others. Just my opinion and enjoy the session (sounds like a good one)!

[GarrettJ]

generally if the ball is above your eye line you can come down to meet it.

dance down the track and hit a few under arms, say 10.

each time have someone mark the point that you get to when striking the ball.

there will be a common area that you land without having to over balance or reach for the ball. Its different for everyone.

Once you know this area you can face a few balls/overs from a spinner and know if you can comfortably come down the track and play them

[smokem]

Lol. Guess I totally misread that one! 

[eukaryote76]

Are you giving the coaching or just participating? If it's the former then you could look for inspiration on youtube, if it's the latter then perhaps keep an open mind and see what the coach has in store for you.

I am not a coach either but a few things I remember from when our coach addressed this about 6 months ago:-
- reading line is easier than length
- reading length is easier than reading both at the same time to a good spinner who puts top/ overspin on the ball and can get dip...
- so you need to learn it in steps e.g. exercises focusing just on merely getting to the length before focusing on actually playing into the gap
- one of the many problems of just charging is losing shape/ squaring up, head falling over, eyes coming off the horizontal, you may pick the wrong ball, you may become predictable, you may miss the ball!
- breaking it down might mean doing exercises just making sure you move side on - NB some people will shuffle, some will prefer to cross one leg behind the other
- I think our coach had us trying to catch balls after one bounce at ankle to mid calf height on its way up whilst advancing sideways down the wicket from the batting crease;
- need to keep head still and on a level whilst moving forward
- following the ball from the hand with maximum focus throughout the flight
- cues may be taken before the release, e.g. do they wind up (will be flatter and faster), is the run up or release different, is the angle of release different? This kind of focus I think really takes practice!
- the one thing he really impressed on us was picking the length was most important, and he was quite averse to premeditated coming down the wicket, but if you can't pick it and you're going to go, then you better get something on it or might as well keep walking all the way back to the hutch!
- the session also included back foot drives I suppose to balance things up.
Hope this is of some use. It has reminded me I should go work on it again!

[Seniorplayer]

Coaching Points

Quick Feet are a must to get to the ball
Keep the head still.     
Keep eyes level                                                                                                                                                            Batsman needs to be in a still position and well balanced when contact is made with the ball.
Loosen bottom hand.
Lean foreward with weight into the shot.
Keep bat follow through straight checked and not full.

[Buzz]

Coaching Points

Quick Feet are a must to get to the ball
Keep the head still.     
Keep eyes level                                                                                                                                                            Batsman needs to be in a still position and well balanced when contact is made with the ball.
Loosen bottom hand.
Lean foreward with weight into the shot/head over the ball
Keep bat follow through straight checked and not full (I wou'd suggest do what is natural here)

Don't try to hit the ball to hard

Garrettj's suggestions are good too.

Tennis ball drop feeds from a little wat in front of the batsmen also work well if underarming is hard for young players. It also works well for older ones too!

[Seniorplayer]

 I think a checked  follow through is important as it stops you lifting your  head if the bat follow through is full  your head naturally follows and  the ball is hit
in the  air.

[rich041187]

Head and eyes still at all times is most important factor


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[Seniorplayer]

Head and eyes still at all times is most important factor


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Spot on.