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[leeroy]

I'm looking for some advice with some batting problems I'm having at the moment. When I play forward I'm only taking a small step which means I keep over balancing and squaring myself up because I'm getting stuck with a straight front leg and my hands way out in front . Im wondering if anyone has any drills for taking  a bigger forward step, preferably some things I can do by myself too. Also when I play back I seem to just rock back onto my back foot staying on the crease rather than going right back, anyone got any drills for that?
Appreciate the help.

[eukaryote76]

Problem: Front foot drive, half step being taken only; Solution: bigger step, knee bent needed; Drills 1. - try batting cone/ tee. Place the cricket ball on the cone at a good driving length from your stance. Take your stance, look up, like a bowler is coming in, then take your step such that the lead foot points in the direction of the intended front foot drive, with mid foot coming to rest next to (and inside the line of) the cone/ tee (with ball sat on it) and strike thru keeping head down, front knee bent, and avoiding too much bottom hand (which can cause you to square up afterwards). To prevent excess bottom hand you can (a) take an index and thumb grip only with the bottom hand, (b) practice one handed with the top hand only, (c.) practice with ball on a rope hanging from the open garage door and practice striking it one handed with a high elbow and straight bat, or (d) use a slightly higher back lift to negate the need to generate extra force from the bottom hand, i.e. let gravity help out; Drill no. 2 - have throw downs whilst starting from a stance standing on your back leg only - the front foot need only be a centimetre or two above the ground but make sure your assistant pitches the thrown downs in front of you at a driving range - the goal will be to wait until just before it has pitched, then and only then put your foot (and weight) forward to meet it on the half volley. The aim of the latter is to stop the premeditated/ instinctual half step forward which may occur too early and leave you stranded at the wrong length. In addition to this, I have found regular hamstring stretches, and practising lunges +/- weights beneficial to getting the knee bent and playing the ball next to the leg and under the head, rather than leaning and playing in front of the pads.

Perhaps somebody else has a good idea for drills you can do on your own for the back foot drives, but i have needed someone to throw down for me on these. Perhaps a variation on the ball-on-a-rope theme?

[GarrettJ]

Close up throw downs with a tennis ball. Land on the Heel and go to the toe while you try to  stand on the tennis ball

[Seniorplayer]

Move you front foot forward inches at at a time till you find a stable and firm base to play the shot and the mark a line plant your front foot on it and practise swinging your bat adjust your stance slightly if you are not balanced ( feel if you are falling over )  with your head still.
With regard to playing of the back foot practice the above going back and across which should always be your first movement as it is easier to get forward and than to get back once you are foreward hope that makes sense.

[KIPPERS]

stop thinking about feet

Batting Masterclass - Kevin Pieterson

[WalkingWicket37]

Kevin Pietersen:
"As soon as the heaviest part of your body goes towards the ball, that's when you're going to strike it better"

Anyone know how to get my stomach towards the ball most effectively?? 

[Buzz]

your foot position is derived from your head/eyes as they move to the ball.

you should feel a "topple" as you move to play the shot.

the size if stride feels a little overrated to me, head and hand position is more important, plus hip position.

[leeroy]

Thanks for all the help everyone. Ill be giving all of those things a try to see how it goes. Im going to try and upload some footage from the next net I go to to try and give a better idea.

[eukaryote76]

your foot position is derived from your head/eyes as they move to the ball.

you should feel a "topple" as you move to play the shot.

the size if stride feels a little overrated to me, head and hand position is more important, plus hip position.

I agree, head and hand position are as important, and the stride depends on the shot selected, and the ball. It doesn't have to be big, it just has to be appropriate,  e.g. a half step is helpful if you want to do a lofted drive.

[brokenbat]

yes indeed.. look at amla. feet don't move much, but he gets his head/eyes right over the ball, and going into the ball.