Hi Centurion,
Ive been keeping for the best part of 15 years and kept at county 2nd XI level. Although this certainly doesn't qualify me as an expert and i'm sure there are far more qualified people on here, here's my two penneth. I wont go into how to stand etc as there are a million youtube videos on that but I'll just add a few points to hopefully help you out.
Extreme basics but some of the most important elements to keeping (often paid lip service to but you would be amazed how many keepers, new and old, dont do the following)
- Eyes level
- Relaxed hands
- Come up with the ball
- Let the ball come to you
Next step - your set up.
- Your springs/Shock absorbers - Elbows, Knees, Hips and believe it or not ankles. Ensure they are all relaxed to take the energy out of the ball. Far too many keepers are rigid, this causes them to lean back when taking the ball. Off balance resulting in your head moving - keep your head as still as possible.
- Always be leaning into the ball. If you look at any decent keeper, apart from the hands the furthest thing forward will be their head.
- 90% arm extension, do not lock your arms straight. Take the ball well in front of you using your elbow shock absorbers to take the ball cleanly. Taking the ball too close to the body will A) prevent your shock absorbers from working B) create a snatching 'take' and C) prevent you from adapting if there is any ABS (after bat swing)
Feet
- Probably the most neglected part of Wicketkeeping but arguably as important as hands. All good wicketkeepers (and batsman) have excellent footwork whether stood up or stood back. Diving should be the last resort so get practising side to side drills. A good one which I like to do is two cones approx 3 meters apart with a tennis ball on the top of each and one in your hand. For 2 mins straight and as quick as you can be on your toes side stepping to each and replacing the ball on top with the one in your hand. 2 mins doesnt sound a lot but if your posture is right (head as still as possible, leaning slightly forward) and you do it a few times you will start to feel it in the quads, calves and hammys. It also helps hand/eye coordination by ensuring your hands are doing their job before you start moving ( a good drill for stumpings etc, no point moving until you have taken the ball cleanly)
Basic Habits
- ALWAYS take the ball to the stumps if you are within reach - although dont always take the bails off - umpires have a sense of humour failure on that one.
- ALWAYS Want the ball, whenever an outfielder collects the ball, demand it to be thrown in. This not only keeps energies high but lets the batting team know your team mean business.
- NEVER GO QUIET. Youre the fielding general, your energy should be high for every ball. If the keeper is quiet, the team is quiet.
Mental side.
- Whilst learning (and indeed at any point in your keeping career) there is always a chance you may miss a stumping or drop one - You have to have the ability to put this to the back of your mind and concentrate on the next ball. This is where keeping is unique, you cant be sent to ride the boundary if youre not seeing it well at slip or you cant be taken off cos youre bowling a bad spell. Keeping has nowhere to hide, although saying that, it is the best place to be.
- Learn how to switch off between balls. If a batsman bats out the entire innings people commend him for his powers of concentration, the keeper has to do this every game. As soon as you have passed the ball to a fielder, completely switch off. As soon as the bowler has it in his hands switch back on. It is important to have an 'on button' too. Have a movement that through muscle memory switches you on. I take two steps forwards and touch both gloves before going into my stance then power position. Not saying you should do the same, but find your cue!
Lastly but by far the most important....Enjoy it! You will never be as good as you can be if you dont have a smile on your face.
Theres a few basics for you, if you want any more technical questions answering, feel free to send me a direct message.
Hope this helps
Karlo
Author
Topic: Young keeper trying on the gloves (Read 7015 times)