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[Liam-SCCC]

When i get out to bat i tend to hit the ball in the air quite alot, after this i end up getting good scores but one day im not guna be dropped 3 times in single figures! do any of you have any tips. i have been told im pushing at it with a strong bottom hand grip and my head up. how can i correct this?

[Danny]

Sounds to me like your playing the ball to early. So some tips would be to be VERY patient and wait for the ball to come to you. Also make sure you are over the ball when striking it. Other than this I would just go back to basics and make sure I am doing everything to the book.

[Howzat]

Yeah. the pitches are damp and the ball is staying low which means it comes through a lot slower! Just wait for the ball and watch it onto the bat.
As for your head... Try and get in front and over your knee when driving to keep the ball down.

[Liam-SCCC]

Thanks for the tips guys, if our game is on tomorrow i will get in the nets before and work on it

[Richie]

Like I said on a different forum, I would personally try to drive with say 2 or 3 fingers to stop you gripping the bottom of the bat too hard..

[jandgcricket]

Head over the ball...

[BlarneyArmy]

Head over the ball and dont play too early

[AtBalfour]

Liam I have the same problem mate. I have taken the advice the guys above have given as well as doing the following..

I wear an extra batting inner on the bottom hand, which reduces my grip on the handle, meaning you aren't totally bottom handed, the fact you are not wearing (or only wearing one) inner on the top hand means you generate your power that way..

Sounded a silly theory to me, but it works..

[sammyboy]

I had this problem last year when playing defensive shots, I think I got caught and bowled 6 times last year. I worked on it in the nets over the winter and we figured out I was just playin the ball to early and pushing at it. You have just got to wait for it and play the ball as late as you can mate. It took me a whie but I think I've figured it out now so just keep working at it mate.

[Howzat]

That sounds pretty smart to me adam! Like adding half a grip without adding half a grip! 

[rawpace]

Keep your head over the ball and lean into the shot

[Original]

Yeah i agree with what everyone else has said really, you just have to play the ball as late as you can and play it right under you're nose. Watching Andrew Strauss' innings today was a good example of doing that.

[Sambo]

try getting the leading elbow up and the bat angled. and maybe avoid all balls that arent necessary to play

[AlexBrown]

wait for it and let the ball come to you.

[mattp]

also try pushing off with the back foot that makes you lean forward and thus down.
Check out the michael vaughan video masterclass on the coverdrive on the natwest cricket website here
http://www.natwestseries.com/home.php?DCMP=OTC-cricketFURL