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[ktaylor94]

just looking for some training drills and different ways and advice on how to play the short ball better! help would be appreciated!

[Bruce]

Footwork is important (as always). Back and across is what I get told to do when practising. Dont be afraid to wear a chest guard.

[uknsaunders]

bowling machine around 60-65mph at the head does the trick after a few hours 

[procricket]

Tennis ball to start with convidence
Then change it to real balls all short pitched


Remember to keep your eye on the ball

[Kp1995]

i agree on the footwork part

[shaqharris]

i agree on the footwork part

You are putting an awfull lot of comments recently Just be carefull

[Leddster138]

Tennis ball to start with convidence
Then change it to real balls all short pitched


Remember to keep your eye on the ball

I had a friend of mine serve tennis balls at me. He was a pretty good player and hit me in the head a fair bit, it's quite a fun exercise to be honest. That being said you do have carefull with this as tennis ball can get through between a grill and peak!! It will make you're eyes water!

[Buzz]

Tennis ball to start with convidence
Then change it to real balls all short pitched


Remember to keep your eye on the ball

This is the best way to learn. Work out what you can hit, what you can get out of the way from and what you can defend.
It takes a while but is worth it.
then move on the the bowling machine

[alba caerulea]

I had a friend of mine serve tennis balls at me. He was a pretty good player and hit me in the head a fair bit, it's quite a fun exercise to be honest. That being said you do have carefull with this as tennis ball can get through between a grill and peak!! It will make you're eyes water!

I love the sound of this!  Sounds like a Woolmer-esque training method.

Perhaps to really get your eye in you could ask a golfer to drive some balls at you from 22 yards.

As someone who prefers the ball the faster and shorter it comes my advice is -

1. Fear should not cross your mind. Get a lid on and be prepared to wear a few sometimes, No one has ever  died from a bruised chest/arms. If you want proof of this YouTube 'Brian Close'.

2. Certainly at the levels I've played at, you almost always have more time than you think. That said, stay with the shot and Get a feeling for the technique, this is where the bowling machine is good. Do not use the short ball as an excuse for a wild thrash

3. Always watch the ball as far onto the bat as possible. You stand a much better chance of hitting the ball, or avoiding it if that is your intention, with your eyes open.

Best of luck!

[Blazer]

This is a nice video in which Hayden talks about the pull shot at 2:49.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UPTIPyxrYeI

[RossViper]

get down on you knees and get some throw downs.

[DBM8]

get down on you knees and get some throw downs.

If your down on your knee's and practising, surely that wouldnt make a different atall seems as when you accualy playing the shot in a game or nets etc.. you havent practised moving your feet into the correct position to play at the shot?

[ktaylor94]

Thanks for the advice fellas!

[Joe]

Start with slower short balls, build up to faster speeds. When pulling/hooking stay offside/inline of the ball. Watch Ponting or Lara

[alba caerulea]

Start with slower short balls, build up to faster speeds. When pulling/hooking stay offside/inline of the ball. Watch Ponting or Lara

Off-side? An awful lot of pull shots are played to balls on the off-side of the body