Lots here I really like... (has KP been reading my book by any chance?!!)
Welcome to the first of my email series where I give you some valuable batting advice. In future emails I'm be sending out videos of me both playing and talking about how to be a batsman. This one is all about the mistakes I've seen people making as they come up through the ranks.
I’ve seen a lot of batsmen come and go at both professional and international level. There have been some great guys but not all of them made the step up.
There are lots of reasons why this happened, but here are the 5 mistake I have seen most.
1. Thinking about the feet
Footwork is important but what’s really important is your head. If you are getting your head forward in shots then your footwork follows. If you find you are getting ‘stuck on the crease’ don’t look down, look up.
2. Backlift
A high backlift has been in the textbook for as long as I can remember, and probably longer. For me, a lower backlift gives much more control without sacrificing power. I can dink a spinner for 6 with a low backlift so why should I take the risk with a higher one?
3. Playing straight
Playing straight to me means playing to the bowler’s plans. In limited over games you have to get on with it and that means learning to hit balls to places the book says you can’t. Of course you still have a solid base and get your weight into the ball, but you have to learn to hit across it.
I know a few coaches who will choke on their coffee after reading that, but it works for me.
5. Worrying about swing
If the ball is hooping about some batsmen get overcome by a fear of nicking off. But for me there is no difference. You still have to watch the ball hard, you still have to score quickly, and you still have to back yourself to win the contest.
And if you get out to a belter: think well bowled and plan your revenge in the next match. Why worry?
5. Playing spin the wrong way
In limited over games I never drive the ball spinning in to me through the off side. It’s too risky when you think you can work the ball with the spin to the leg side. There are less fielders there due to field restrictions.
I even hit the ball spinning away from me to the leg side by sweeping against the spin. Johnty Rhodes taught me that one and he was one of the best sweepers I have seen.
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Topic: Batting tips from KP (Read 2985 times)