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[Fetchthatone]

Hi there,

For throw down purposes (obv) thinking of getting the side arm pro. I'd probably buy like 10 hockey balls to go alongside it as they are cheaper than good cricket balls or bowling machine balls. Would these work with the side arm?

Anyone ever used one? If so, have you got good/bad things to say about it? Cheers!

[Liam-SCCC]

I think I have a hockey ball in my coaching bag. So much kit in there I don't see all of it often, if I do then I'll give it a go with my sidearm club

[Fetchthatone]

I think I have a hockey ball in my coaching bag. So much kit in there I don't see all of it often, if I do then I'll give it a go with my sidearm club

Cheers. They are just so much cheaper than bowling machine balls! How quick can you get your side arm club going? Do you release the ball from 22 yards away or do you come a little closer?

[potzy248]

I had to face 2 overs with it from 15 yards away on my stag do. This was early on so I was pretty coherent....I could hardly see the balls go past my face, hit me in the head and in the groin area. All with no pads.

So yeah they can get a ball down pretty quickly.

[Manormanic]

I reckon with the Pro, if I really put my back into it, I can get the ball down low-mid 80s.  For accuracy, probably top 70s is best.

I wouldn't use one with hockey balls though - I find old balls with no seam tend to slip out, so you're better with proper balls for accuracy.  And I would advise against using one with a batsman straight away - took me a few hours to get the arm actions right to control where the ball went and what it did whilst it was getting there. 

[ad2606]

would bowling machine balls not be better than hockey balls? am fancying adding a sidearm to my coaching kit but dont have an endless supply of half decent balls to wing down at batsmen!

[toenails97]

I gave a sidearm ago with bowling machine balls and try work mate! I fact mine came yesterday

[ad2606]

looks like im going to be making ANOTHER purchase then! damn this bloody forum!! haha 

[Binsy]

In my personal experience, these are excellent training aides. My brother and I purchased one as a substitute for outdoor nets and to save each other having to run in all day bowling at one another. It does take a while to master getting the ball down to the other end and be prepared to take a few beamers and blows on the waist while the guy using the side arm familiarises himself with it.

Once mastered, you can bowl regularly around 70/80 mph and focus on particular areas of weakness (for me, it's good practice at knowing where my off peg is). Cricket balls are the best to use and you can also generate a bit of swing with the side arm so would recommend these over hockey / net balls.

Go get one, you won't regret it.

[tim2000s]

Definitely use cricket balls. They swing properly, and are the best for using when creating the spin options.

[arsenal123]

Our skipper is the side arm thrower at my club.  He is beyond useless with it!  The first player will often have a net of purely different paced bouncers!  If not used properly they can be less than useless, defo worth learning how to use it properly.  There is always a team sigh at my club when he brings it out.

[LDifa]

I have faced one from 22yards, with a new ball, and they come through quick, the coach used it to get me ready for the new season and starting to be an opener!

I would just use the cricket balls you have in your bag, or if your team has a load of balls for net practice.

[GarrettJ]

I think they are good but hard to control consistently. If nothing else it gets the batsman really watching the ball to avoid the beamers  and bouncers