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[awesomeadil]

Hey,

Catching was never my strong point and I hesitate when a ball is coming towards me, I drop a catch 99% of the time and top it all I misfield almost every time. Any tips you guys can give that you use for catching and fielding will be appreciated.

Thanks

[mattw]

If you're not a natural fielder then I would suggest keep practicing catching and fielding.

Just try not to be scared and keep your eyes on the ball.

[400notout]

Confidence, main thing is in your head. Want the ball to come to you and expect it every time and you will see an improvement. Don't think too much about it, just let your reactions do the work.

[Nickauger]

Always be on the move to keep yourself concentrating, the worst thing to do if you are fielding is to be static. Always make sure you walk in and almost jump into a split foot position (shoulder width apart, dominant foot slightly in front, on the balls of your feet). This will allow you to push off in either direction. Make sure you keep your eyes on the ball and always try and get something behind it. If it pins you, then you'll have a lovely bruise to show the opposite sex lol. And to go with what 400 notout says, always want the ball to come to you, enjoy it and batsmen will start to feel pressure when you are fielding. Finally, just practice, and expect that the odd one is going to hurt a bit. x

[jonpinson]

One word. Relax.

I guarantee you will be dropping catches or fumbling the ball because when it is flying towards you, you are worrying about dropping catches or fumbling the ball. You tense up, go hard at the ball and thats when problems happen.

It is a cliche, but let the ball come to you. Don't move yourself to where the ball is, move yourself to where the ball will be. Think of taking a catch, whether it be simple or difficult as not stopping the ball, but bringing it to a gradual halt.

To start with, go out into the garden and lob the ball in the air and just focus on getting into position. Once you sort that out the rest is easy. Don't be scared of the ball or you will never sort it. Be condfident.

Practice practice and more practice. Practice in the garden after work, practice in the park when you're not playing, practice at a match when you're waiting to bat. Even practice when sat watching telly, just lob the ball from one hand to the other. Sounds daft, but it really does help. Learn to know how a ball reacts when it hits certain parts of your hand and learn to counter that by making sure you get your hands in the right place.

[Number4]

One word. Relax.

I guarantee you will be dropping catches or fumbling the ball because when it is flying towards you, you are worrying about dropping catches or fumbling the ball. You tense up, go hard at the ball and thats when problems happen.

It is a cliche, but let the ball come to you. Don't move yourself to where the ball is, move yourself to where the ball will be. Think of taking a catch, whether it be simple or difficult as not stopping the ball, but bringing it to a gradual halt.

To start with, go out into the garden and lob the ball in the air and just focus on getting into position. Once you sort that out the rest is easy. Don't be scared of the ball or you will never sort it. Be condfident.

Practice practice and more practice. Practice in the garden after work, practice in the park when you're not playing, practice at a match when you're waiting to bat. Even practice when sat watching telly, just lob the ball from one hand to the other. Sounds daft, but it really does help. Learn to know how a ball reacts when it hits certain parts of your hand and learn to counter that by making sure you get your hands in the right place.

Not just a pretty face jonpinson.. Good advice

[pacman75cricket]

Could practice with a tennis ball find it promotes soft hands more.

[Watsontotty]

Not just a pretty face jonpinson.. Good advice

Thought it was a total load of tosh myself

[jonpinson]

Thought it was a total load of tosh myself

Someone has to be so weak minded that they can even be brainwashed by Dave. 

[alexrickyponting]

Someone has to be so weak minded that they can even be brainwashed by Dave. 

I don't think we should involve forum members personal differences in a topic about helping someone improve their game if i'm honest And yes i know Watsontotty started it

I think what jon said is good advice, even if it does sound a little "zen"
My opinion is just to keep practicing catching, even just with a tennis ball underarming it to someone else 5 yards away and making sure that you use soft hands and watch the ball all the way into your hands.
Whatever opportunity you get to practice your catching you should grasp with both hands, pun unintended.

[jonpinson]

Sounds daft, but a tennis ball bounced off a wall is a great starting point. Also, don't underestimate practicing with your 'wrong' hand either.

[alexrickyponting]

Also if anyone has any tips regarding diving towards "wrong" side that would be great, i think i tend to put more weight on my left leg when in a catching position and as a result i can dive well to my right but i cant dive left and i tend to pivot over my left leg rather than moving it and diving if that makes sense

[craigwm]

I had a similar problem when I played in goal. Same principles just a different sport. Basically all I did was keep practicing and practicing diving on that one side. You can practice yourself by simply diving without a ball. I have done this many a time and dispite looking an absolute pillock standing in the middle of a field diving by yourself, I actually found it made a vast improvement.

[jonpinson]

Also if anyone has any tips regarding diving towards "wrong" side that would be great, i think i tend to put more weight on my left leg when in a catching position and as a result i can dive well to my right but i cant dive left and i tend to pivot over my left leg rather than moving it and diving if that makes sense

I don't think you will ever be as strong on your weak side, but you sure can close the gap. It feels so foreign to catch, dive, throw on the wrong side but worth working on.

[alexrickyponting]

Yes I don't expect to be able to dive as well to the left as the right but to actually be able to dive left would be nice!