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[123*]

Wondering if you guy's can help me out here need some tips on the pull/hook shot, I don't play the greatest standard of cricket couple below premier league stuff so really there is no one quick enough to push me back, I drive virtually everything and that is completely my shot however when we play outside cups against an overseas on a decent deck I just go all to pot, I really struggle to play this, I still seem to go forward but then when the ball rises I seem to (No Swearing Please) myself turn my head etc which makes me look like an utter idiot! I face the bowling machine at 70 in short and play it more than decent same with throw downs just this seems to desert me in a match! Any advice please!

[epbs]

Grow a pair?

[Talisman]

I'm no sage when it comes to playing but my view is when I face a bowler who could bowl quick enough to make the short ball a problem I try to watch it and gently play the shot as it is more timing than power with the 2 shots you've mentioned. Rather than fling the bat at it just relax and watch the ball onto the bat. It worries me sometimes but after netting on a lively surface this winter with bowlers happy to bang it in short I had a high success rate.

[wilkie113]

Wondering if you guy's can help me out here need some tips on the pull/hook shot, I don't play the greatest standard of cricket couple below premier league stuff so really there is no one quick enough to push me back, I drive virtually everything and that is completely my shot however when we play outside cups against an overseas on a decent deck I just go all to pot, I really struggle to play this, I still seem to go forward but then when the ball rises I seem to (No Swearing Please) myself turn my head etc which makes me look like an utter idiot! I face the bowling machine at 70 in short and play it more than decent same with throw downs just this seems to desert me in a match! Any advice please!

Make sure your in line and play the shot, I have never played a pull shot until this season, and now I get in line and don't go out the way of the short ball I find it easy to play.
I got hit a few times I think that's part of learning the shot, gotta wear some to be able to play it properly and not be scared of the ball

[Talisman]

I think that the pain of getting hit can be a positive with a strong mind, but if it isn't then work hard on the mental side to minimize any problems.

[wilkie113]

Also it's easy to play it on the bowling machine.... you know it's going to be short lol

[wilkie113]

I think that the pain of getting hit can be a positive with a strong mind, but if it isn't then work hard on the mental side to minimize any problems.

I got hit in the eye through the grille ((thankfully I have the safest helmet in the world now to protect me) paypal is fine for the advertisement Tomtek) wore a couple on the shoulder and gut etc and I think it helped a lot, made me think if I get hit again I know what it's going to feel like so I better pull it lol

[Talisman]

You need a little fear in the belly to fully sharpen up.

[jamferg]

Watch it like a hawk and unless your legside boundaries are huge then... (No Swearing Please) it! Roll wrists if you are worried about being caught but its a freebie.. It aint hitting your stumps which accounts for a large % of outs through the season

[straightdrive1]

Play it like this:
 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3glVEJwimfE

[Number4]

Watch the ball from the hand, pick the line and length early, get inside the line as this will give you more control and roll the wrists

[Manormanic]

you sound like you have a bit of a technical issue withthe shot in that your natural momentum is taking you forward when if anything you need to be moving back in thecrease to give yourself a fraction longer to see the bounce and get your wrists through the ball.

[richthekeeper]

i can't play the pull shot either, and this is mainly because i don't watch the ball well enough out of the hand.

you can see the bowler is going to dig one in short when his leading shoulder drops in his action - at that point i know i've got three options; backward defence, leave or cut!

i'm trying to work on this shot as well, particularly as an opener because it's a useful way to force a bowler to bowl fuller and let you drive. however at the moment I know it's not a shot I have in my locker, so I don't play it.

[trypewriter]

I suspect I'm not at the standard of many of the guys on here, but with most wickets still a bit on the puddingy side and the ball not hurrying through, maybe now is a good time to work on the shot as you should, all things being equal, have a bit more time to get into position and play it?

[GarrettJ]

1st tip ........... try to get yourself outside the line of the ball and then use the pace to nurdle it to the boundary, dont try and hammer it over midwicket for 6 until late on in your innings.

Another tip ............ point your back foot to the covers not point as it allows you to open up your body

Final tip ............ play it with your arms fully extended and swing your hands froma high position round your body from point down to square leg. I sometimes see people bending their arms adn playing from slip to mid on with their hands it it often results in the ball lobbing up of the top of the bat.

Use a tennis ball for practice to get the feel for your hands and foot and body position.