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[19reading87]

Morning all,

I've noticed that I'm getting bogged down against spinners this season and playing out a lot of dot balls. Main reason being I am planting my front foot and then trying to play shots around that which ultimately is difficult.

In nets I find myself using feet to the spinners well but then in a game I don't in fear that I'll miss it and get stumped.

Any help would be great!

Cheers

Reds

[tom line]

Instead of planting your front foot try using a forward press instead, that way you can go further forward if needed once you're sure the ball is full, or push back off your front foot to anything marginally short

[six and out]

Morning all,

I've noticed that I'm getting bogged down against spinners this season and playing out a lot of dot balls. Main reason being I am planting my front foot and then trying to play shots around that which ultimately is difficult.

In nets I find myself using feet to the spinners well but then in a game I don't in fear that I'll miss it and get stumped.

Any help would be great!

Cheers

Reds

With regards the coming down the wicket.

You need to get someone to keep in the nets to make it a more match based situation. Just move the stumps forwards and bowlers end back and make it a spinners/slow bowlers net.

Everyone gets more match based practice then.

[Biggie Smalls]

A first step/mental compromise you can use .... if you are worried about being stumped to spinners using your feet , say to yourself ' until i can prove to myself it's safe to go down the wicket when i feel like it , i will only use my feet if a) the ball is tossed above the eyeline and b) I'm facing an offspinner (where if i miss the ball will usually spin back into my pads) and c) when i go down the wicket i will not go straight down the wicket , but rather , will move slightly to the off so that less wider balls can be missed'. This thinking can help you get over the mental yips/fear of being stuck in the crease for fear of being stumped ( you can convince yourself that you are rationally minimizing risk ) . Once you are moving down the wicket to offies under these provisos and you feel confident you can start doing it to leggies/orthodox spinners aswell .
Other than the above , what others have said re forward press instead of planting the front foot is good advice . Lastly , use the full depth of the crease .... as an experiment , in the nets , move back and across all the way back level to the stumps and play some strokes from there . You'll be surprised just how many balls you thought were 'good' are now feeling like rank long hop rubbish that you can work or spank where you please . That will remind you the value of playing well back aswell .

[Biggie Smalls]

Oh , and remind yourself that you dont need to fear a fast , flat one being darted down the leg side for a stumping if you don't leave the crease until the ball has left the hand and is above the eyeline . Basically. ... don't premeditate.

[JK Lewis]

Oh , and remind yourself that you dont need to fear a fast , flat one being darted down the leg side for a stumping if you don't leave the crease until the ball has left the hand and is above the eyeline . Basically. ... don't premeditate.

Yes, agree with all of this. Wait until you have a feel for the bowler, and never just bat by numbers. When I'm ready to go a couple of steps out to a spinner, I premeditate in as much as I step out with the deliberate intent to defend. You don't have to dash forward, just take a couple of gentle half steps and defend off front or back foot as appropriate. Show the bowler you're not concerned about his turn, by stepping forward with care you should be able to smother whatever comes.

Second step for me then is to fake stepping out a couple of times. Put the pressure on the bowler, if you fake when he is in his delivery stride, he may well panic and drag the ball short. It will often sit up for a pull or cut.

Finally, wait for the ball you really like, I prefer an off spinner who tends to pitch up. If you've got your eye in you'll pick the right one, and then be sure go all in. Plan to play hard off the front foot, and play it high if Mid-on / mid-off are up, or low if they are back. Of course then try to find the gaps.

I always use nets as the place to practice, but you need the bowlers to know what you are doing, and feed it. Don't just let then roll up and bung rocks at you. Don't waste net sessions, they are short and few in number. Make the most of the opportunity to tune your special shots. Otherwise, you try them in the middle for the first time and hey, now you are out.