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[uknsaunders]

Having a chat to redders about this and I wondered what line people who bowl off spin tend to use. The discussion I had with Reds was that just outside off stump to the right handers, turning in to hit off is ideal as it also brings into play the nick to slip from the arm ball. Similar for the lefties (if still bowling over the wicket), bowl around or just outside off. Slightly different logic, bowling over means to get an lbw you need the ball to be pitching in line and it also brings the arm ball into play. If it turns then slip comes into play. Bowling outside off stick to both right/left handers also reduces the risk of the short ball being put away - batsman have to hit into the off side which is alot harder on slower decks. Getting driven through the offside is a possibility with both lines but far more risky than  shoving the right hand into a straight ball and going through leg.

Nothing earth shattering about my thoughts but what do other spinners do?

[WalkingWicket37]

It depends what I'm trying to do. I'm not a huge spinner of the ball so that may also effect my line.

Right handers
I'll start off full and outside off stump, tempting the drive and trying to get one to rip early in my spell to get it in the batsman's head. If there was a Left Arm Over bowler I simply aim to pitch it in their foot hole.
If it's not turning big or I'm trying to build pressure I attack the stumps - you miss, I hit.

Left handers
I always come round the wicket to lefties.
On Saturday I was bowling mainly at middle & leg as it was straightening. Make sure you don't miss it batsman 
I also use the on/just outside off line to lefties. If it goes straight on then the stumps (and therefore LBW) are in play, and if it turns the keeper and slips may get busy.

Summary
I've got a handful of deliveries I use. The off break, the arm ball, the quicker one and a wrong'un.
I start my spell by just bowling offies (my stock delivery) and once I find my rhythm/line I start sending the variations down. If you can beat both edges of the bat it will get in the batsman's head, but it's not worth giving away freebies trying it too early in a spell.

I've found the key is to bowl the same ball most of the spell, with variations used as a surprise ball. Too many young spinners try to bowl a magic ball every delivery, where a consistently probing line is more effective as it builds pressure and makes the batsman try something different. I'd rather bowl a boring 0-25 off 10 than a 2-63 trying all my variations in every over.

[Buzz]

The attacking line should be outside the off stump. Most spinners I know say they will bowl the attacking line, but then bowl off and middle which is defensive and requires a totally different field.
It really frustrates me this point!

[uknsaunders]

I've found the key is to bowl the same ball most of the spell, with variations used as a surprise ball. Too many young spinners try to bowl a magic ball every delivery, where a consistently probing line is more effective as it builds pressure and makes the batsman try something different. I'd rather bowl a boring 0-25 off 10 than a 2-63 trying all my variations in every over.

Agree. I bowl left arm spin and not a huge turner of the ball. My aim is to avoid bad balls and build pressure. I bowl fairly quick and flat anyway, so apart from the odd one that comes out slower or turns I don't try too much else. Sometimes it's better to prey on the batsman's own insecurities than trying to be too clever and feeding him cheap runs.

[uknsaunders]

The attacking line should be outside the off stump. Most spinners I know say they will bowl the attacking line, but then bowl off and middle which is defensive and requires a totally different field.
It really frustrates me this point!

agree! One of the discussions we were having was whether you bowl to a 5/4 field or 4/5 field (off side/on side). If you aim for outside off then slip comes into play but so does the off side, therefore you need mid-off, extra cover, cover, point or possibly a gully.If you bowl more middle then it's going to go through mid wicket with the spin, and the slip might as well be in the legside.

[Northern monkey]

Our two leading bowlers regarding wicket takers, both bowl off spin but don't turn it?
They simply vary pace,lines etc and let the batsmen get themselves out.
It's the old adage about putting the ball in the right place as apposed to trying to bowl too quick(seamers) or turn it too much.

If you can turn it, a tight line on off stump, not too short is gonna build the pressure

[Cin88]

I don't turn it as much because it messes my line up but just outside off is where i'm generally aiming. I'll put the odd quicker one in that might drift or swing, often that one goes at the batsman's feet though, tends to wake them up a bit if it doesn't get a wicket. Plan B is to spread the field and dare the batsman to have a bash, i've had a lot of wickets from the mid wicket slog.

[RoyalParkReds]

Obviously there are many variables that need to be considered to answer this question. Such as type of spinner, batsman's strength and weakness and match situation. But if you can spin the ball even marginally and also create angle you should be bowling at least at 4th or 5th stump outside off. I think too many spinners bowl a straight line because they lose concentration and are fearful of getting hit. Nathan Lyon for Australia can do this at times I feel. Giving too many easy runs to the onside. Float it outside off !! Make them hit a cover drive or late cut against the spin.

[Leddster138]

I once asked Graham Swan some advice about bowling to left handers (I won a Rubicon competition). He simply said try and smash leg stump  with every ball! It's very hard for a batsmen to play that angle if there is any turn and it'll bring most dismissals into play.

I also asked Graham Gooch some advice and he said the trick to spin bowling was to spin the ball as hard as you can but also be as accurate as possible!!! Simple as that really 

[tommo256]

as its been my first season bowling offies, ive been learning via trial and error.
I've also been grilling the spinners at our club for advice!
http://spinbowlingtips.com/blog/ and also reading this blog online

[KarlPennington]

My bro bowls decent off spin, gets a good bit of turn and bounce and he can throw in the wrong' un. Yet when I face him in nets he pitches everything on middle/middle and leg. I said to him it's difficult to get you away but there is pratically no risk. If I get in line I can just keep working it into the leg side whilst waiting for the bad one. I said why don't you throw a few outside off? He said because when I bowl outside off I don't turn it. I've noticed this with a few off spinners actually, I was facing an off spinner a few weeks ago the one that I thought was short and into me and ideal to pull to the boundary turned so much I couldn't get near it, yet we he pitched it a bit fuller outside off it didn't turn at all...

[Cin88]

My bro bowls decent off spin, gets a good bit of turn and bounce and he can throw in the wrong' un. Yet when I face him in nets he pitches everything on middle/middle and leg. I said to him it's difficult to get you away but there is pratically no risk. If I get in line I can just keep working it into the leg side whilst waiting for the bad one. I said why don't you throw a few outside off? He said because when I bowl outside off I don't turn it. I've noticed this with a few off spinners actually, I was facing an off spinner a few weeks ago the one that I thought was short and into me and ideal to pull to the boundary turned so much I couldn't get near it, yet we he pitched it a bit fuller outside off it didn't turn at all...

Its probably because there tends to be more rough in the area around middle/leg to right handers, bowlers' foot marks and general wear from the batsman moving around in that area being the usual suspects.

[uknsaunders]

Or he bowls close to the stumps. If he does then ask him to land mid crease and bowl the same line ie. Pretty much straight but now its a foot or so towards the off side.

Sent from my Nexus 5 using Tapatalk

[dougydee]

Most off spinners in my competition set more defensive fields to dry up runs and build pressure so a 4/5 field is set. Usually bowling off to middle. This tactic has worked well in our competition especially for the good bowlers with consistent control of their delivery.

[Parkman]

Depends on the game situation but if I'm on the attack I bowl wider outside off stump. I also take out cover leaving a gap to try & tempt the batsman to play at wider deliveries, then they risk being bowled through the gate!
If I'm being defensive I'll bowl wicket to wicket and aim middle & off pushing the ball a bit flatter.
I've found flight to be my best weapon & in particular the 23yd ball which I bowl level with the Umpire. Everything looks the same but the batsmen always play too early & sky it. If only we could catch...