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[Slyboogy]

Hi All,

I was wondering if you can give me tips on how to increase my leg side play when batting.

When I first started a couple of seasons back and last season, I was pretty much a leg side slogger. However, I've noticed lately, most of my shots are hit to the off side and even when the ball is coming on to the pads or should be played to the leg side it ends up on the off side. Now considering I could not play off side shots to save my life the past couple of years, it's all I seem to be doing now. My previous strength of batting leg side has now sort of become my weakness unless I sweep.

What's changed from my first two seasons? Well, I have changed my batting stance, higher back lift, more open stance, arms freed, I am more near the crease line rather than being deeper, and I don't wear a helmet no more.

I seem to be "scared" of the ball when it's coming on the the pads or anywhere near that region now, at first I thought this was because I stopped wearing a helmet, but I tried one on, and still I was playing the same way.

Anyone got any tips?

[jonazax1717]

Hey Mate Can only Give you Advise from my Previous Experience , From a Young age i Used to Step away as i was to "Scared of the ball" because the I  was Struck from an early age  , I will Advise to Wear a Helmet , As the with me the backing away i was doing subconsciously , However Cricket is a game of muscle Memory , my Coach but A bin On the leg side by my Feet so i couldn't Step away , I am also similar to you in that i have High Back lift , And open Stance , And also Struggle towards the leg Side , All i can Say is that nothing beats just going to nets whether it be Throw downs or Bowling machine , and just focus on the leg side .

[ppccopener]

It's a common problem this so you are not alone by any means, in fact at the Southern net today some work was done on players weak in this area.

Couldn't agree more with the above comment re bowling machine, that's really your answer. You need to get used to holding your position and the ball actually hitting your pads-so you need to try to tackle it head on to lose the fear.

However, you need a decent set of pads and thigh pad and even an inner thigh pad and def would recommend wearing a lid.

Your probably anticipating the ball crashing into the pad or thigh pad and are apprehensive of that...there's certainly an impact facing someone quick but decent pads these days cushion most of the impact.

Net balls the light version (not a real cricket ball) is one of the reasons bowling machine practice is so good for this type of problem.

It's def fixable with time and effort and determination to correct the weak area of your game.

[Slyboogy]

Ah thanks for the replies so far guys!

I was never afraid of the ball in my two seasons with the hard ball. It's only recently this has developed, last year I played leg side shots and I didn't have a helmet on, so I am finding this very odd.

As for using the bowling machine, unfortunately our club does not use this and only occasionally brought it out in indoor nets.

I'll try the other tips of not backing out and wearing a helmet, maybe a thigh pad is worth investing in too.

[GoodLeave]

Definitely reccomend a thigh guard. The more you can make yourself feel "invincible" the better.

That way you won't be afraid to whip stuff off your pads etc.

However. Never under estimate the power of the off side. Most sides will pack the leg side expecting some leg side biffing, you may find you score more drilling everything through cover than finding fielders at mid on/cow.

[Woodyspin]

Without seeing you play, its quite possible your front foot isnt moving but you back foot is, so youre creating yoirself more room? Try stick to your guard, and after every shot take a look at your positioning and try to adjust from that, @Buzz has some great coaching videos on here too!