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[ajmw89]

Not sure whether to post this here or in the wicket keeping section, but here goes...

We had 11 in my team for tomorrow, but after drop outs, the only recognised keeper in the team got called up to the 3's for his batting.
After ringing round all the reserves who could keep that said they were available, we had no luck, as they were all busy washing their hair or something like that...  Anyway, it's looking like I will have to keep for the first time in a match tomorrow (not counting club 6 a side), so what I'm after is any tips?  Also padded strapping tape on knuckles, yay or nay?

Our overseas gave me a crash course in keeping last night.  I reckon I'll be alright taking throws from the outfield, or at least stopping them, but the bit that worries me is the bowlers spraying it around.  Spent about half hour in fading light taking catches from the slip cradle last night and then doing some fielding drills, with throws being returned to me.  Hands are a little sore this morning! (Oh, any tips on dealing with sore hands would also be appreciated!)

Cheers,
Adam

[400notout]

Not much you can do about sore hands on short notice, if you do any more practice today/tonight if its really painful, try to do your catching with tennis balls.
You can never catch too many balls as a keeper!
99% of the time the ball will come direct to you (i.e not nicked) try to stay low and keep your head/eyes over the ball as much as possible and try to stay on your toes so you can easily move either way.
If you are standing up to spin/seam try to stay low and trust your reactions.
Keep it simple, don't worry too much since its going to be a one off, your job is to simply catch everything that comes your way!

[Chad]

Not sure whether to post this here or in the wicket keeping section, but here goes...

We had 11 in my team for tomorrow, but after drop outs, the only recognised keeper in the team got called up to the 3's for his batting.
After ringing round all the reserves who could keep that said they were available, we had no luck, as they were all busy washing their hair or something like that...  Anyway, it's looking like I will have to keep for the first time in a match tomorrow (not counting club 6 a side), so what I'm after is any tips?  Also padded strapping tape on knuckles, yay or nay?

Our overseas gave me a crash course in keeping last night.  I reckon I'll be alright taking throws from the outfield, or at least stopping them, but the bit that worries me is the bowlers spraying it around.  Spent about half hour in fading light taking catches from the slip cradle last night and then doing some fielding drills, with throws being returned to me.  Hands are a little sore this morning! (Oh, any tips on dealing with sore hands would also be appreciated!)

Cheers,
Adam

I kept for the first time not long ago, and it wasn't quite as hard as I thought, the hardest part I found was actually going up to the stumps after each delivery! Leg side balls are hard to take because you lose sight of the ball momentarily, so just make sure that you read it early and you move your feet, that way you take the ball near your body rather than having to dive. I've never been taught how to keep, so this is just from my experience from keeping for the first time!

[Manormanic]

A few pointers I give colts:

1. Wait for the ball to bounce - if you have to mentally say "bounce" to yourself to help this then fine - if you go up too early its really tough to react to variable bounce off the surface.

2. Keep the cuffs of your gloves together - there's nothing worse than a keeper who plays cymbals!

3. Make sure you agree with first slip where they should stand and what is "your" ball...

[GarrettJ]

just get your head in line with the ball when standing back and should be fine.

One key point which usually messes up wicketkeepers is not standing in the tight place, wither to close or to far away. Catch it as it is reaching the top of its trajectory. If that means stnading 5 years away then stand up, no half measures!

If batsman is out of his crease and dominating the bowling, stand up. You may not catch or stump him but you will mess up with his momentum.

[mr_wickets]

Try 2 pairs of inners. Might help with the sore hands.

[ajmw89]

I don't have 2 pairs of inners, or time to get to somewhere to buy a 2nd pair unfortunately.  I was thinking about a pair of fingerless batting inners under the keeping inners to protect my palms a bit more

[kouservice]

Theres is nothing much you can do about the swollen palms, its part and parcel of WK. As you are keeping for the first time, I am sure your not catching the ball properly and thats the reason for more swelling. Let the ball come to you and collect it , rather than grabbing it.

For some relief have some ice placed on the swollen area. Also a old time trick, although not sure if it works soak your inners in cold water and wear them.
I would not recommend wearing 2 inners, as personally for me its uncomfortable and makes it more difficult to collect the ball. Instead of another inner, you can use a 1cms wide rubber band around the top of the palm, were most of the swelling occurs.

This article might help,

http://www.pitchvision.com/how-to-keep-wicket-with-sore-hands

[GarrettJ]

maybe your gloves are rubbish .... are the palms lined inside with leather or cotton? Cotton is a complete waste.

Use the padded chamois inners.

tape the last joints of all your fingers as this is where you will feel pain if you get one slightly wrong and the thimble causes breakages at these joints.

if you hurt your hand or finger never take your glove off, it will make it worse. If it is unbearable after a few overs  then take a look

your palm should not be hurting, i think you are catching it wrong adn it is hitting the boney part just below your fingers.

cup your hands and try catching the ball with soft hands like you are catching an uncooked egg or caressing a nice ladies b00bs

[Leddster138]

As everyone has said, keep low, come up with the ball and don't think you need to stand up all the time. I see a lot of part time keepers who get over confident and stand up to the stumps to prove they can. There is no need unless you have a plan behind it e.g. stop the batsmen coming out the crease or to help the bowler with line and length. It's better to stand back as long as you can get away with to give your self a chance with catches and balls down the leg side. If you are on a good track with even bounce with an accurate bowler than give it ago but bring your fine leg finer and send your first slip a touch wider.

Key is concentration, you really need to be switched on as the ball come to the bat. I think people underestimate how hard it is to keep that concentration throughout a match. I did a stint for half a season last year and it really helped my slip fielding.

[ajmw89]

maybe your gloves are rubbish .... are the palms lined inside with leather or cotton? Cotton is a complete waste.

Use the padded chamois inners.

tape the last joints of all your fingers as this is where you will feel pain if you get one slightly wrong and the thimble causes breakages at these joints.

if you hurt your hand or finger never take your glove off, it will make it worse. If it is unbearable after a few overs  then take a look

your palm should not be hurting, i think you are catching it wrong adn it is hitting the boney part just below your fingers.

cup your hands and try catching the ball with soft hands like you are catching an uncooked egg or caressing a nice ladies b00bs

I've got padded chamois inners.  The palm feels leathery on the inside of the keeping gloves.
It's probably hurting because the gloves are new, and I've never had cause to wear keeping gloves before.  The ones that I found to hurt the most were those that i snatch at or went for.  The ones I lt come to me didn't hurt, so lesson learned there I think!

And I'll make sure I practice that last point vigourously with the missus later!

[nudgemaster]

1. Stay Low
2. Move your feet
3. Always think which way your fingers are facing. up, down or sideways. Not towards the ball.

Basics here but not sure what standard you have played.