Topic: Ways to regain Batting confidence? (Read 3832 times)

EaglesCC · « **on:** August 22, 2013, 11:05:12 AM »

Currently having the worst batting season I can remember. Highest score has been 54 and a woeful average of 20 � as an opening batsmen.

Biggest problem I have at the moment is confidence which seem to be developing into problems with technique (getting squared up, not keeping head still, playing in front of my pads, etc). I've always thought when in a rut to try one of two things; 1) grind out an innings where all that matters is staying at the wicket or 2) having a blaze.

Neither has worked... are there any other techniques?

As I'm sure isn't uncommon I've started tinkering with all sorts in the hope of finding form - batting stance, where to hold the bat, weight of bat, backlift/ no backlift. But this clearly is digging a bigger hole.

Keen to hear what batsmen do when low on confidence (other than net more).

smilley792 · « **Reply #1 on:** August 22, 2013, 11:08:27 AM »

We go play in our Sunday side, and get a big score.

Doesn't always work, but time in the middle is good.

Go have an hour on a bowling machine, don't do any thew triggers, diff back lifts. Just play your normal game or an hour to get back in the groove

trypewriter · « **Reply #2 on:** August 22, 2013, 11:23:22 AM »

Quote from: EaglesCC on August 22, 2013, 11:05:12 AM

Currently having the worst batting season I can remember. Highest score has been 54 and a woeful average of 20 � as an opening batsmen.

Biggest problem I have at the moment is confidence which seem to be developing into problems with technique (getting squared up, not keeping head still, playing in front of my pads, etc).

As I'm sure isn't uncommon I've started tinkering with all sorts in the hope of finding form - batting stance, where to hold the bat, weight of bat, backlift/ no backlift. But this clearly is digging a bigger hole.

Keen to hear what batsmen do when low on confidence (other than net more).

Confidence comes and goes and it is important to remember that brighter days are around the corner. Look, 54 is a decent score and the capability to score well is there.
To me the mind games are all to do with you noticing glitches in your technique. They have probably always been there to some degree and you have worked around them until this bad trot which has got you focussing on them. Concentrate on what you do right!

bruggers100 · « **Reply #3 on:** August 22, 2013, 02:33:35 PM »

I used to open the batting, and have done so up to 1st XI in the first division of the Surrey Championship before the premier was formed. I moved to a new club off the back of having a great season in 2001. At the new club, I averaged 4 in the first XI ! Needless to say, got dropped, lost all confidence and never really recovered to be confident opening the batting again. I've batted in the lower order ever since because I found it a lot more comfortable. Probably not what you want to hear, but I didn't start off as the most confident person in the world and I contentrated on my bowling. As pointed out already, you have got runs and you still have an average although low, is not woeful. What I would say is that time at the crease is a great thing and stop thinking about everything because thats when everything goes wrong. Play naturally, concentrate on playing straight, playing the ball on merit, not worrying about smashing the ball and not worrying about looking ugly.

This year, I have worked my way up our batting order at my latest club because I have regained confidence, feel very comfortable at the crease and I am playing a couple of levels down from my younger years. I am personally comfortable with the way I play, I know my limitations and don't care if I look ugly scoring at times. At my age, I am probably past tuition, so I just make sure I get practice when I can which is not as much as I would like (I have a young family).

lastmanstand · « **Reply #4 on:** August 22, 2013, 02:54:49 PM »

treat yourself, buy a new bat...

that always solves everything right?

bruggers100 · « **Reply #5 on:** August 22, 2013, 03:09:49 PM »

Quote from: lastmanstand on August 22, 2013, 02:54:49 PM

treat yourself, buy a new bat...

that always solves everything right?

If only it was so easy !!!!

Kaz092 · « **Reply #6 on:** August 22, 2013, 08:29:56 PM »

Don't focus on your technique mate you were scoring runs before so don't start tinkering with it now

Get some time in the nets and use it constructively

Focus on your strengths and play to those

Spend first tens mins just playing in the v and getting your bat on ball

Be a little tighter and try playing close to your body make the bowler ball to you

Just spend time hitting balls and that muscle memory will soon kick in

Form is temporary class is permanent

EaglesCC · « **Reply #7 on:** August 26, 2013, 10:06:35 PM »

All good advice there. Perhaps nothing I haven't heard before (that's not a criticism) but basics never change. I may have to put this one behind me and concentrate on the indoor nets.

Gcricket · « **Reply #8 on:** August 27, 2013, 12:20:19 AM »

Drop down lower in the order, bat at about 5. Easier without the new ball

Chad · « **Reply #9 on:** August 27, 2013, 01:29:32 AM »

I've had a think about this, perhaps you could put a bowling machine to good use.

Set it up so you're getting a ball pitching quite full, relatively wide outside off stump, and focus on getting your foot next to the pitch of the ball, head in line and leave it, making sure to watch the ball the whole way until it passes the stumps. Do this for a good 12-18 deliveries, then set it up so that it is slightly closer, and repeat the same, just keep leaving the ball and watching it. Since you are an opener, you will be leaving a fair number of these kinds of deliveries early in your innings, so it will be good practice for that, but also, it helps get your head in line, and makes sure it stays in line by watching the ball all the way. It's pretty hard to watch the ball all the way if your head is falling away all over the place, so it should encourage a relatively still head so that you keep the ball in sight. After doing this a couple of times, perhaps change the length to a slightly shorter one (to try sort out the problem you're having with squaring up) and try to stay side on when leaving the ball, again, watching it all the way. I know this is boring, but after this, perhaps try hitting some of them, and see how it goes.

I am in no way a coach or a good batsman, this is just something I thought I might try to help me move across more to the wider deliveries rather than playing too far away from my body. It might work, might not, but at the very least, it should help you know where your off stump is!

Maybe make it so that the deliveries swing away sometimes, so that you're not just planting your foot at the same place 12-18 times in a row, or even just get someone to give you throw-downs at varying lines.

EaglesCC · « **Reply #10 on:** August 29, 2013, 09:41:47 PM »

Quote from: Gcricket on August 27, 2013, 12:20:19 AM

Drop down lower in the order, bat at about 5. Easier without the new ball

I love the ball coming on to the bat. I don't play slow balling well.

Quote from: Chad on August 27, 2013, 01:29:32 AM

I've had a think about this, perhaps you could put a bowling machine to good use.

Set it up so you're getting a ball pitching quite full, relatively wide outside off stump, and focus on getting your foot next to the pitch of the ball, head in line and leave it, making sure to watch the ball the whole way until it passes the stumps. Do this for a good 12-18 deliveries, then set it up so that it is slightly closer, and repeat the same, just keep leaving the ball and watching it. Since you are an opener, you will be leaving a fair number of these kinds of deliveries early in your innings, so it will be good practice for that, but also, it helps get your head in line, and makes sure it stays in line by watching the ball all the way. It's pretty hard to watch the ball all the way if your head is falling away all over the place, so it should encourage a relatively still head so that you keep the ball in sight. After doing this a couple of times, perhaps change the length to a slightly shorter one (to try sort out the problem you're having with squaring up) and try to stay side on when leaving the ball, again, watching it all the way. I know this is boring, but after this, perhaps try hitting some of them, and see how it goes.

I am in no way a coach or a good batsman, this is just something I thought I might try to help me move across more to the wider deliveries rather than playing too far away from my body. It might work, might not, but at the very least, it should help you know where your off stump is! Maybe make it so that the deliveries swing away sometimes, so that you're not just planting your foot at the same place 12-18 times in a row, or even just get someone to give you throw-downs at varying lines.

Not a bad shout. Although I think it's my desperation for runs rather than any fundamental flaws. I've played a few innings where I've just left everything outside my off stump. It helped a fair bit as there is nothing like time out in the middle. I'm generally an attaching opener and not being able to stamp my authority has meant I'm feeling under pressure and low on confidence.

DevAussie · « **Reply #11 on:** August 30, 2013, 10:27:19 AM »

Time in the middle is the only thing that works for me....will start scratchy but the longer I manage to crab around (as The_Bird tells me) the better I feel

mr_wickets · « **Reply #12 on:** August 30, 2013, 10:47:31 AM »

You tried a bit of range hitting? Boosts the confidence and from what you've said, sounds like it would do you good. Feeling the ball on the middle of the bat and clearing the ropes always makes me feel good and knowing that if the ball is in the slot, you can clear the ropes.

ProCricketer1982 · « **Reply #13 on:** August 30, 2013, 05:44:34 PM »

Quote from: DevAussie on August 30, 2013, 10:27:19 AM

Time in the middle is the only thing that works for me....will start scratchy but the longer I manage to crab around (as The_Bird tells me) the better I feel

he's right. just go out there and block the living day lights out of everything.. leave what you can.. just crab around and don't give a crap out the game for 5 or 6 overs.. just bat.. You'll naturally start to score more as you'll feel comfy as you get in. The oppo's might try and 'sledge' you but if they feel the need to do that then you are ahead of them anyway. Just bat, unless your team have something to play for this week in the league just use it as a live net. be as boring as you can for as long as you can and just play yourself back into form. You'll still find you score runs in the innings in the end if you stay there for 30 odd overs.

Author Topic: Ways to regain Batting confidence? (Read 3832 times)

EaglesCC

Ways to regain Batting confidence?

smilley792

Re: Ways to regain Batting confidence?

trypewriter

Re: Ways to regain Batting confidence?

bruggers100

Re: Ways to regain Batting confidence?

lastmanstand

Re: Ways to regain Batting confidence?

bruggers100

Re: Ways to regain Batting confidence?

Kaz092

Re: Ways to regain Batting confidence?

EaglesCC

Re: Ways to regain Batting confidence?

Gcricket

Re: Ways to regain Batting confidence?

Chad

Re: Ways to regain Batting confidence?

EaglesCC

Re: Ways to regain Batting confidence?

DevAussie

Re: Ways to regain Batting confidence?

mr_wickets

Re: Ways to regain Batting confidence?

ProCricketer1982

Re: Ways to regain Batting confidence?