Print

[NT50]

Over the winter i've been bowling off-spin in the nets for the first time. I get a lot of turn when i complete my action and have been getting a bit more accuracy since our coach has been getting me to line my hip/non bowling arm up.

But im struggling a bit with my grip. I've got the hands of a child, so to grip the ball like a normal off-spinner, i have to really stretch my hands, which ends with me dragging the ball out sometimes. It ends up either going down leg or dropping really short.

Any other small-handed offies got any advice?

[Biggie Smalls]

When you land on your toes of your front foot don't just pivot but reach high /push up onto tip-toes a bit , then think spinning the ball 'up and over'...should help to drag less down .
 Regarding release /grip you're better off ( if you dont have big fingers/hands , and a lot of finger strength) to bring your index and middle fingers closer together rather than try to splay them further apart just to approximate a 'normal' grip . In other words , sometimes what feels a looser grip may give more control , and actually impart more turn/revs.
Sit down on a chair in front of a  wall with a ball and just experiment with comfortable grips( flick the ball towards the wall ,watch the release and revs etc) . See which ones have the best mix of control and purchase on the ball . Also you can experiment with putting your thumb pad on the ball and then try putting your thumb nail on the ball instead ( some people flick their thumb from this position to gain extra revs.
 Lastly ,( this is less orthodox /only feels natural to some ) some very good ( including former first class finger spinners i know) spinners with small hands cock their wrist inwards ( ie fingers facing towards face , wrist bent to maybe 45 degrees) and instead of spinning/releasing the ball out the front of the hand , spin /release the ball over the top of a somewhat horizontal index finger .

[Buzz]

I spoke to Raj Maru the former Hampshire about this. He had a similar issue. What he did was hold the ball a bit like a claw with the third finger rather than the second finger.

Traditional


Suggested

[GoldenArm]

I think Bishan Bedi did something similar to the above grip Buzz has shown as well. And isn't the guy you mention @Buzz the chap Simon Hughes and the other Middlesex lads used to call The Rat!

[Buzz]

Yes.

I am not sure I have got the seam in exactly the right place in those pictures, but you get the gist.

[NT50]

Had a ball with me today when i went to watch a mate of mine referee, and just happened to find a net on the rec ground the game was at!

The 3-fingered grip didn't quite feel good for me, still felt like i was dragging it out my hand! I then tried to a smaller gap between my fingers and not pushing it into my palm, although it felt loose in my hand, it seems to come out a lot more accurately than splitting my fingers like the normal way. I also seemed to be more accurate the closer my elbow is to my ear (a straight an arm as possible)

I have no idea if this is all technically correct but it seemed to work in the limited time i had to try it out. I think it'll have to be a case of trial and error in the coming weeks to find out what works for me for a prolonged period of time

Thanks guys!

[LDifa]

I have small hands so cannot hold the ball as a traditional off-spinner, instead I hold it like a leg spinner, two up two down and find it really works for me.

[Big Mac]

Sort the rug/table legs out Buzz, that's making me go all OCD!

[KW9221]

Suggested

I use this grip myself for actual off break  but I have four different way grips that I use for off break. I have been an off break bowler since I was 8 years old so it came up with my own grips in nets.

[Woodyspin]

Sort the rug/table legs out Buzz, that's making me go all OCD!

oh christ... i have a weird rage boiling inside me

[WalkingWicket37]

@KW9221 what are the other 3 grips and are they for variations?

[KW9221]

@KW9221 what are the other 3 grips and are they for variations?

Yes! Traditional off break, slider that comes in to right handed batsman, an off breaker that skid and turns and fourth one is a mystery ball ( looks like leg spin but it's a off spinner).

[WalkingWicket37]

@KW9221 any chance of pictures or videos showing these grips and how to bowl the different deliveries mate?

[FattusCattus]

Suggested

Is that your hand?

God! You're more wrinkly than I thought!

[KW9221]

@KW9221 any chance of pictures or videos showing these grips and how to bowl the different deliveries mate?

@WalkingWicket37 sure I will post grips and how to use deliver them.