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[WalkingWicket37]

Evening all

I've just finished (sort of) editing footage from a net I had against the bowling machine today. Okay, I intended to edit it, but I was so sh*t I got fed up of watching it back!
I get bowled a lot and have noticed my bat isn't coming down straight, but any advice (other than "give up") would be much appreciated.

For the record I've tried to completely re-model my batting since last season, which is still a work in progress, Which is why I have posted this. I'd rather get honest feedback and opinions, that put a compilation together of myself hitting "good shots" as that simply isn't what happens! I also feel a machine session like this where I have to work hard and keep getting out is probably a lot more constructive that having it set on 45mph half volleys!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6PPE4HQqSFU

[ppccopener]

Changing technique is not easy. I've done it myself and actually binned the advise I got and worked it out myself, but it took a year and old faults still creep in.....however I did manage to correct faults most of the time I'd had for years.

You have a remodelled technique you are happy with ....tick box.
Accept batting is hard,staying in is hard, scoring runs in hard I a real match....have you ticked that box mentally?
Are you prepared to work hard in the nets and are you determined to improve your batting?  Tick box.....
is your attitude right? Can you be patient enough to understand it takes time? That box needs ticking if it's not ticked already.


So you are left with minor technical issues to improve on after already making some big changes and a determination to keep working and keep practising.

If I were you I would think of one issue alone and work on that at the next net, there is help available none of us are that good but their will be common issues that come up.

One thing I've noticed is when you are defending a straight ball it sometimes goes to the on side instead of straight back up the pitch, this is a issue I had and still have.comes with having a strong bottom hand,which you have.

It's worth practicing relaxing the bottom hand in defence to see if that works. This is easy to do and will either feel right after 20 mins or not. So it's a small change not a big one.

So it's easier to think of one thing to try.

The reason I spend a long time against the machine driving full balls is this is the weak are of my game, if the drive is working or I block it straight back other shots are likely to fall into place Because they are balance related....

The answers are in more hard work and patience....

 

I will feed the machine all day long for anyone, now I seem to have lost 10 yards of 'pace' in my bowling..haha!!

[ElPerro]

First thing I'd try and work on is your balance at the crease, you'll see your trailing leg coming through after shots or movement after the point of impact.

I'm not expert but what worked for me when trying to improve this was starting with a slightly wider base spread evenly over front and back foot. This works two fold by a.) taking away some of the foot movement you have to do making it easier to transfer weight quickly and b.) lowering your centre of gravity slightly meaning you're less likely to bring to follow through or fall away.

Hope that helps
 

[alee]

try to open the face of the bat slightly on your downswing. It will make sure the bat is coming straight down.

See Ramprakash video below:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3svWej4YDCg

[InternalTraining]

@WalkingWicket37 , You live in England. You have access to real (live) coaches who can help you. Find yourself a decent coach and work with him thru the pre-season. Videos and online advice will only take you so far.

[lazza32]

In your stance your bat is pointing to leg leg slip so when you try to play shots the bat arcs to wards mid wicket hence a lot of your shots end up there. Check out AB de villiers masterclass on you tube. He had the same problem earlier in his career.

[bostoncricketer]

The small step forward seems to be getting you in an awkward position in more than one occasion. You are neither front nor back.

[Gurujames]

to the same ball you either play nicely through the off side or try to hoick it through mid wicket. Are you a little bottom handed occasionally?

[Batbuddy99]

First of all, I've only watched the first minute
However, what struck me is the front foot is just going nowhere. I'd say, in your next net, forget about everything, set up the bowling machine outside off on a full length, but not just half volley, and concentrate on getting that front foot towards the ball.
Then maybe after a few sets you could change it to a good-full length either hitting leg stump or just going down,and again concentrate on the front foot movement. Not a massive lunge this time but just get it in line with the ball and play it back as straight as possible

But whatever you do after reading this, do not watch my net video because I don't practice what I preach!

[Vulcan Cricket]

Ok looking at what I see yes you are very stiff and this stops you from movement. And getting body in the right position to hit the ball with ease. it's making you force the ball rather than just flow . Head feet hands in that orderb.at the moment it's 90 percent bat    Dean

[jamielsn15]

Get some coaching. Self help can only get you so far and, although you're getting some well intended decent advice on here, it has the potential to scramble your brain! Find one voice and work with that person on what you want to achieve.

Also, maybe,make some time off, you've got six months until the new season. I've done the same and to be honest felt a bit burned out half way through the summer and had my worst season in recent memory, but that maybe just me. I tend to start late December,  new year, but each to their own...

[JTtaylor145]

Ok, I've watched the video a couple of times. You need to focus on some positives as well as a couple of technical issues that need work on. Please note we only have 6 minutes of your batting to go on. You hit the ball pretty cleanly and seem to time the ball very well on occasions. That's a very positive tick with regards your batting. My own major observation is that you don't seem to be leading with your head (followed by your shoulder and feet) when you are playing forward. If you lead with your head your shoulder, knees and feet will have to follow. Try and push your head forwards a little bit when you are in your stance (think Goochie). Try not to get too negative from what I've seen you have lots of positive aspects to you batting - don't neglect the good!

[FattusCattus]

Ok, so I've watched the video, and I thought I'd give you some contrasting advice to all the contrasting advice you have received previously:


You need to plant the front leg on a line just outside leg stump, thus clearing some space for the bat to swing through with extreme prejudice.

Drop the leading elbow and allow the bottom hand to dominate, coming through in an arc from 2nd slip and flowing through towards mid-wicket.

Eyes should be screwed shut or pointing straight up towards the ceiling, hips should rotate towards leg in a thrusting motion.

The shot should be completed with a large exhalation of breath and a forceful utterence of the word 'WHOOSHTA!!!'.

[WalkingWicket37]

Thanks for the advice guys.

In that session I was actually trying to work on something with my head position in my set up, which was meant to lead to my head leading and the forward press being eradicated.

What actually happened (I think) is that I was thinking too much about that, and I forgot everything else I normally do. Maybe I should try working on one thing at a time rather than trying to completely overhaul what I have been doing for years in one go.

And for the record, I still hate bowling machines! I'd much rather face a real bowler any day of the week...

[ppccopener]

Thanks for the advice guys.

In that session I was actually trying to work on something with my head position in my set up, which was meant to lead to my head leading and the forward press being eradicated.

What actually happened (I think) is that I was thinking too much about that, and I forgot everything else I normally do. Maybe I should try working on one thing at a time rather than trying to completely overhaul what I have been doing for years in one go.

And for the record, I still hate bowling machines! I'd much rather face a real bowler any day of the week...

keep working Camelot, someone famous once said  '99 per cent of cricketer are made not born'.