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[Calzehbhoy]

I've been struggling in recent weeks to pick up the ball early and find that it leaves me late on shots. While it could just be a general concentration issue it's really annoying that I can't move as early as i'd like.

Does anybody have any tips for picking the ball up earlier?

[mad_abt_cricket]

Universal tip is to watch the ball closely leaving the hand.
Point of release gives a bit of an idea about the length ( if released early, it is going to be a full length ball...).
Also at the point of release it gives a fair idea about the line of the ball unless the bowl is swinging.

[OllieWalker39]

Agreeing with the watch it from the hand and arm comments. Can give a lot of clues as to what ball is coming. Within reason of course - some bowlers have a knack of being able to bowl a bumper off a good length!

You'll also find that it all comes hand in hand - form comes along and the ball is huge! It can be that you think you're not watching the ball, when in reality, you're playing a shot a bit early before you're a set, and getting out! Maybe worth hanging about a few more overs then going for your shots!

[Buzz]

From the hand isn't early enough. You should look for the seam in the bowlers hand from just before the delivery stride.

[Jlscarroll17]

I often just before a match get throw downs for 5/10 mins just to get use to watching the ball and then by the time it comes to batting in a match I'm use to the ball leaving the hand and I've done this for season now and it always helps me

[Biggie Smalls]

When this happens to me i try watch the seam - is it straight,  wobbling , end over end , cross seam, rotating left to right or vise versa etc . Just an easy exercise to see if im doing all the things mentioned in the previous replies .

[sanredrose]

Just balance your focus and concentration. I have made big mistakes trying to watch the ball out of the bowlers hand and getting myself completely out of shape for the shot. Try to avoid that ... Get a friend to do some throw downs for you with sidearm. You can clearly watch the seam out of that thing ...

[potzy248]

Try this, it works for me. Against really fast bowlers I almost charge walk (Move towards the bowler) before he releases the ball (I start quite deep in my crease so i'm not walking miles down the wicket). I find that it helps me a lot and my reflexes are better. I'm assuming its something to do with breaking the inertia and getting the body moving early.

[Jlscarroll17]

You can often over analyse yourself and it's normally becomes more of a problem, just try some of our advice and see what works because everyone is different

[Dario74]

Try this, it works for me. Against really fast bowlers I almost charge walk (Move towards the bowler) before he releases the ball (I start quite deep in my crease so i'm not walking miles down the wicket). I find that it helps me a lot and my reflexes are better. I'm assuming its something to do with breaking the inertia and getting the body moving early.

This is a good point as for me there is a connection between trigger/foot movement and how well I watch the ball. I've reverted to 'back and across' movement which seems to help me get in line and read the ball.... I think for me it's about getting 'primed' so that I can just concentrate on the call. I started the season standing completely still but for me it left me too much to do and I was chasing the ball.......... but that may be age!

[Northern monkey]

Watching the seam in the bowlers hand!!
Crikey I'm lucky if I can see the ball in the hand, cheers guys, feeling really old now

Joking aside, you've Gotta watch the ball from release, the number of times I've been out there batting thinking, I didn't even look for the ball until it was under my nose!
I find if I force myself to look at the bowlers hand holding the ball, it relaxes me more, and I do have more time to play shots,pick length etc
It's not rocket, but surprising how the little things can be forgotten in the heat of a game

[TangoWhiskey]

I just watch the bowl in the bowlers hand and follow it through his gather all the way to release. The smoother the action the easier it is but I find that's the best way to get myself doing it.

[Calzehbhoy]

Cheers for the suggestions guys.

I thought I was watching it out the hand but must be struggling to see as feel rushed all the time. Will try watching earlier in the nets and see how I get on

[ppccopener]

most of us clubbies don't really watch the ball properly. It's only when you really make an effort to watch the red thing like a hawk you notice the difference.

It's such a basic part of the game but we all need to really practice it

I can't see the seam in the bowlers hand either(we got Spiderman on the forum?) but I look at the bowlers hand on release and try to see it onto the bat.

 

[alexhilly1492]

I'm having the opposite issue at the moment managing to see it in delivery stride and on release I find staring at the sight screen and then when the bowler is 5 paces out watch the ball from there onto the blade however I'm losing it half way down and then trusting I've read it correctly! Been hit a few times on the thigh because of this and been bowled a few times for the same reason!