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[Cover_Drive]

As the title says what is the best way to prepare yourself with proper line and length. Sometimes I have predetermined the shots for example the bowler hasn't bowler ball 2 and I plan beforehand that I will play this or that.

So I am not able to judge the line and length properly so whats the best way of reading the line and length and know where it is going to come.

Also on few occasion I am late on my shots and ball hits top of the bat.

My club mate say my stance is fine except little correction was to have back foot planted when I go on front foot.

Any help will be appreciated.

[Mr Cricket]

eyes level, if this becomes a serious problem, go to the opticians and have your eyes checked, i never realised i needed glasses but they have made a huge difference

[Cover_Drive]

I'm 20 and I have glasses I would say for past 13/14 years so eyes are fine lol

The problem is that when the ball pitches I'm unable to judge whether its a short ball, full length etc

[Mad Bobbin]

watch the ball right out of the bowlers hand you should pick up from where he releases the ball to what sort of length it is going to be.  Waiting until its pitched is far too late.

[tim2000s]

Would have to agree. Sounds like you aren't watching the ball for loo long enough. Start from the beginning of the bowlers run.

[400notout]

When facing a bowler for a long time, easier said than done, generally it will be bowlers you face in the nets every week you tend to pick up on things especially for slower balls/bouncers. Think you just set yourself subconiously when you pick up the signs. Was there not a study done with batsmen facing a machine blindfolded or eyes closed till the delivery point and generally most picked the length just on seeing the hand before release? Think I read it on here..

[100 not out]

Watch that ball like a hawk. Right from the moment bowler starts his run right up to the point you make contact.

[Richard]

Without seeing you bat id say, stand still, keep your eyes level, chin touching your shoulder and watch the ball out of the bowlers hand.

[Buzz]

chin touching your shoulder.

how will having your chin touching your shoulder help? I have seen this posted a few times, but don't really understand it. Mark Ramprakash and Ian Bell - the 2 best technical players in England don't play with their chin attached to their shoulder...

on answering the question - you instinctively judge the line and length in the first 2 meters of the flight of the ball. Therefor you must watch the ball from well before the bowler releases it - i say look for it in the last few strides of a bowlers run up.

The key is that you don't ever premeditate but watch the ball (as mentioned above loads!) and stay relaxed allowing your natural talent play the shots.

[thedon]

When I look at the ball from the bowlers hand I just tend to not pick the line and length at all, I just freeze! So what i do now is keep my head down until the last few strides of the bowlers run up and then face up and let my instincts do the rest