Topic: Boundary fielding (Read 1350 times)

Karl_27 · « **on:** June 25, 2013, 06:28:57 PM »

On sunday when fielding on the midwicket boundary a catch came my way. Unfortunately I was over the rope when I caught it. How do you a) know where the rope is having first walked in as I didn't want to take my eyes off the ball to check. And b) Should I have tried to catch fingers up, I am most comfortable catching fingers down however with hindsight if I had tried to catch the ball higher at say shoulder height I may have stayed inside the rope.

Any thoughts are welcome for me to take on board for future games

kenbriooo · « **Reply #1 on:** June 25, 2013, 07:50:03 PM »

It can be tricky taking a catch near the boundary rope and I've been guilty of taking a blinding catch only to find myself frustratingly over the line. Even though I'm fielding away from the bat I like to walk in. I either start on the rope and walk in if I feel it's unlikely the batsman is going to clear the rope or I start my walk in behind the rope making sure I'm on the pitch just in time. This way I have my forward momentum and I'm in the ideal place. If you are walking in make sure you know how far inside the rope you are.

That should help you know how far you can go back. That way if you're starting on the rope you know you can't really go back and you adjust your catching technique to suit or vice versa if you're further in.

Might be worth practicing catching on the edge and you'll soon have a sense of your position. Hope that helps

gdb19 · « **Reply #2 on:** June 25, 2013, 08:37:16 PM »

When I was younger I was always told by the experienced players that you can always come in off the edge but you can't go back. To me this depends on the state of the game and the size of the boundary, early stages I would walk in and just try to judge how far back you can go. Later in the game, provided its not an easy 2 to you, I wouldn't walk in and would stand on the edge especially if someone is hitting it well.

With regards to catching fingers up is the only way if its over chest high, no difference to fingers down really just don't snatch at it - take the ball gently and cushion it towards you. Take the catch as high as possible so if you do drop it you might get another chance on the way down.

acko109 · « **Reply #3 on:** June 25, 2013, 11:32:50 PM »

best thing i find when on the boundary is realise how far off the boundary you have come and make sure you set yourself right ! . as you can end up catching the ball but because your not set lose balance and end up over the rope.

Vitas Cricket · « **Reply #4 on:** June 25, 2013, 11:46:12 PM »

I'm a wicket keeper so I rarely field, I like to think of myself as one of the better fielders when I give a youngster the gloves in a midweek or Sunday game though.

My early career as a football goalkeeper has probably given me an advantage in terms of spacial awareness, knowing where the boundary rope is without being able to see it is not too dissimilar to knowing where my posts are when I'm set just outside the 6 yard box.

The only way to get better at spacial awareness is practice, so get someone to stand in the middle and Tonk a few balls into the air towards you on the rope, get used to knowing your limits and it will quickly be like second nature.

As for catching the ball, fingers up would be my preference in this situation, allows you to watch the ball all the way into the hand whilst keeping your head and eyes still, and also if you do fumble, the ball is falling from more of a height than if you take it low, so you have more of a chance to grab it at the second opportunity.

slcric · « **Reply #5 on:** June 25, 2013, 11:55:16 PM »

Go right to the rope and when you walk in count how many steps you took.keep that in mind when and if you have to move back to take the catch.if it was coming in at around chest high then the easiest (in my experience) would be to crouch and take it fingers pointing up.

Karl_27 · « **Reply #6 on:** June 26, 2013, 12:40:54 PM »

Thanks for the advice, regarding walking in I felt the need to due to them trying to push runs so obviously didn't want to give 2.

And I think practising with a rope or some sort of boundary marker ill try, as usually it is just anywhere on the outfield booming catches out no pressure where you take it.

ammo · « **Reply #7 on:** June 27, 2013, 09:09:48 AM »

Walk in to the edge of the boundary, you can go forward but don't go back.

petehosk · « **Reply #8 on:** June 27, 2013, 11:59:22 AM »

I always stand on the rope when the bowler runs up, unless the bowler/captain tells me that he wants me in 10!
That way, I know exactly where the rope is.

Spanky · « **Reply #9 on:** June 27, 2013, 03:15:51 PM »

Isn't the rule that you have to be inside the boundary when the bowler starts their run up or else you are not in live play and shouldn't be able to touch the ball?

Personally when on the boundary(very rarely am I freed from gully duty) I walk in 3 or 4 steps and over time you become aware of how much room you have to the boundary. You will only get better by doing it. So is something to practice.

Regarding how you should of caught the ball. By the sounds of it you should of caught it fingers up and avoided having to step outside the boundary.

Howzat · « **Reply #10 on:** June 27, 2013, 04:47:34 PM »

I usually start on the rope. The important thing is when a catch goes up, don't go charging in, as people have said its much harder to go backwards than it is to go forwards. Also if you stay fairly still as the ball comes towards you, you'll have more of an idea where the rope is!

Oh and should you fancy a Fusion Skyer to practice high catches with it just so happens I'm selling one

Author Topic: Boundary fielding (Read 1350 times)

Karl_27

Boundary fielding

kenbriooo

Re: Boundary fielding

gdb19

Re: Boundary fielding

acko109

Re: Boundary fielding

Vitas Cricket

Re: Boundary fielding

slcric

Re: Boundary fielding

Karl_27

Re: Boundary fielding

ammo

Re: Boundary fielding

petehosk

Re: Boundary fielding

Spanky

Re: Boundary fielding

Howzat

Re: Boundary fielding