Topic: Getting used to pace.... (Read 2692 times)

Calzehbhoy · « **on:** June 10, 2018, 08:08:20 PM »

So, some of you may have seen my comments about my net on Friday and thr joys of facing a seriously, seriously sharp bowler.

My question is how can you train yourself to get used to it? I am more than comfortable at anything up to about a similar pace to 70mph on the bowling machine. As soon as it goes 2/3mph above that I�m really struggling. It�s even worse when I know the bowler is sharp as I can�t help but back away.

Any tips appreciated.

richthekeeper · « **Reply #1 on:** June 10, 2018, 08:19:35 PM »

The classic response to fear of pace is to back away, which paradoxically puts you in a bad position to play shots. It�s really difficult to train yourself to get into the line of the ball but you can�t possibly play pace unless you do so.

Try getting a mate to work the bowling machine without telling you the pace? It�s all in your mind after all.

mini998 · « **Reply #2 on:** June 10, 2018, 08:26:07 PM »

Try cranking up the bowling machine to 80mph and bat or leave for few buckets , then 70 mph feels lot slower,I do this sometimes.

ProCricketer1982 · « **Reply #3 on:** June 10, 2018, 09:32:01 PM »

Simple method is set the machine on 70 and know where the ball will be and play a shot... then when comfy.. add a few mph on.. rince and repeat.

You�re looking to gain confidence rather than get smashed so knowing where it�ll be will help you Just get into position.. then you can start to cycle through all the shots leading to bouncers and rib ticklers etc

After a while, you�ll start to find you can play it and not just survive but score. You�ll have to work out what shots you can�t do as it reaches your peak pace (cut, pull, hook etc) but just simply stop playing them.. just resolve say if you mph.. anyone that quick you just duck, sway or defend..

It�s simple but does work

SOULMAN1012 · « **Reply #4 on:** June 10, 2018, 09:35:15 PM »

I still do this now at net sessions. Face tennis balls first served by someone with a tennis racket, it�s about getting in line and playing and leaving, then face the machine and you will be better equipped to face it.

2nd option is to bet against the Bola machine but not know what pace is coming as when you know it plays on your mind. I promise if your told Oppo bowler is rapid the week before you will believe this and turn a medium trundled into Brett Lee.

Best advise block it out and let your body react to the ball, this will lead to best results

Biggie Smalls · « **Reply #5 on:** June 10, 2018, 10:43:26 PM »

Agree with alot of the above .
If i were you id start at 70 mph on the machines . Pitched where you know it will be , then have the feeder dial up 2/3 mph in the same spot mixed in with the 70mph stuff (without telling you). Then go to 70mph with variation in line and length. Then have then feeder dial up 2/3mph in varied lines and lengths mixed in with the 70mph stuff . Then once you are comfortable with that (it may be one session , it might be a few -and thats ok) have your starting point at 72/3 mph and repeat the process. It shouldn't take too much time until the starting point is 80 odd.
Perhaps shorten your backlift a touch . Think defense first (better to nail your defense at high pace then get nailed by high pace) and with more exposure and increased reaction time the shots will come back sooner or later .
Also, something i found helpful when i returned to cricket about 5 yrs ago and went through this process myself was to 'armour up'. I got the best protection i couod and started facing the machine with a chest guard and arm guard too (a neck guard is something else that would be in this catagory). I know many people who frown upon this but it allowed me to have the cajonas to get up past 80+ mph again after so long out . I had faith in my protection and just told myself 'youve got no excuses to not get in line now'.
Anyway , 5 yrs on and i wear my arm guard and chest guard whenever i bat , matches , nets , machines , pace , spin ..... i like the idea/feeling of always padding up with the same type of kit and ive gotten used to wearing these items . I dont find them heavy or cumbersome . I sweat like a pig in aussie summer heat .....but id do that even wearing minimal protection so its kind of a moot point for me .
Basically , incremental adjustments in pace and wear whatever protection you need to build confidence.

InternalTraining · « **Reply #6 on:** June 10, 2018, 11:11:26 PM »

Quote from: Calzehbhoy on June 10, 2018, 08:08:20 PM

So, some of you may have seen my comments about my net on Friday and thr joys of facing a seriously, seriously sharp bowler.

My question is how can you train yourself to get used to it? I am more than comfortable at anything up to about a similar pace to 70mph on the bowling machine. As soon as it goes 2/3mph above that I�m really struggling. It�s even worse when I know the bowler is sharp as I can�t help but back away.

Any tips appreciated.

1. Work out your technique for quicks and I mean seriously quick bowlers. What is your trigger? Which balls you leave? Which you play? Sort that out first before you start practicing for quicks. You can mirrow/shadow bat to get those technique ingrained in your muscles. Once you understand this...

2. Train your reflexes. This could be done with tennis balls or Bola Jr set at 17 yards cranked up at 60 mph. Get used to quick bowling in a safe environment. Get a lot of practice with getting a flat defensive bat to these (really, really) fast balls.

3. Test out your technique with a high speed bowling machine at 21 yards followed by real bowlers at 21 yards.

4. Evaluate your results and adjust what you need. I still struggle with fuller deliveries because I tend to swing at them with all my might. Anything good length and short, I can manage. You will have to figure your weaknesses and tweak accordingly.

Seniorplayer · « **Reply #7 on:** June 11, 2018, 07:00:04 AM »

Not a fan of practicing playing the quick stuff using a bowling machine.
As an opening bat My tips would be :
Watch the ball out of the bowlers hand
Head still
Eyes level
Get into line Keep your stance comfortable and relaxed
Put your weight on the balls of your feet
Play your shot from a solid base Follow through with your shot after ball impact
Once you are comfortable doing the above place a concrete slab on the ground short of a length and get a quick bowler to land his quickest ball on it make sure your well protected as you might get hit a few times but it will boost your confidence and cure your backing away as mostly it's the fear of getting hit rather than getting hit.

prim0pyr0 · « **Reply #8 on:** June 11, 2018, 08:08:10 AM »

Quote from: Calzehbhoy on June 10, 2018, 08:08:20 PM

So, some of you may have seen my comments about my net on Friday and thr joys of facing a seriously, seriously sharp bowler.

My question is how can you train yourself to get used to it? I am more than comfortable at anything up to about a similar pace to 70mph on the bowling machine. As soon as it goes 2/3mph above that I�m really struggling. It�s even worse when I know the bowler is sharp as I can�t help but back away.

Any tips appreciated.

How do you know how fast someone is? Pace doesn't really change much until it's 80mph+. Could be bat is too heavy, or your preparation getting bat up isn't happening till too late, or you're just thinking too much about the pace and forgetting everything else.

I've found zoning out, not focusing on the bowler running in too much(ie some look crazy running in like they're express pace about to throw lightning bolts down), just clearing mind and focusing on watching the ball out of bowlers hand (pretend his hand is a bowling machine chute) - ball comes down wicket, bat goes up, front foot and weight goes forward, back foot across to line yourself up and weight goes back slightly, you watch and hit it. Hit ball before it hits you, if it does hit you it isn't anything to worry about unless it's a bony bit eg elbow, toes, lower ribs

If they bounce you, hit it for six.

Calzehbhoy · « **Reply #9 on:** June 11, 2018, 03:21:58 PM »

Cheers for the suggestions chaps.

I guess the question was more can you go from being seriously late (barely moving by the time it�s on you) to getting comfortable at that pace.

How long has it taken you to train yourselves to be used to it?

Seniorplayer · « **Reply #10 on:** June 11, 2018, 04:02:21 PM »

Quote from: Calzehbhoy on June 11, 2018, 03:21:58 PM

Cheers for the suggestions chaps.

I guess the question was more can you go from being seriously late (barely moving by the time it�s on you) to getting comfortable at that pace.

How long has it taken you to train yourselves to be used to it?

Good question some players never get comfortable and never will its more of a mindset mine was after I had been hit a few times meaning if I get hit I know what it's going to feel like never got used to it though.
The key for me is if I get hit even though it hurts is it not to dwell on it as that will get me out.

chetakrider · « **Reply #11 on:** June 22, 2018, 03:28:23 AM »

Quote from: Seniorplayer on June 11, 2018, 07:00:04 AM

Not a fan of practicing playing the quick stuff using a bowling machine.
As an opening bat My tips would be :
Watch the ball out of the bowlers hand
Head still
Eyes level
Get into line Keep your stance comfortable and relaxed
Put your weight on the balls of your feet
Play your shot from a solid base Follow through with your shot after ball impact
Once you are comfortable doing the above place a concrete slab on the ground short of a length and get a quick bowler to land his quickest ball on it make sure your well protected as you might get hit a few times but it will boost your confidence and cure your backing away as mostly it's the fear of getting hit rather than getting hit.

Seniorcricketer's advice is pretty sound. Personally, I found that quicker bowlers are a bit more manageable if you track ball/hand even in run up and track the ball release. Some folks try reducing back lift but that has never felt right and seemed to affect my bat speed. Loosening the grip can help with bat speed. Good luck!

Author Topic: Getting used to pace.... (Read 2692 times)

Calzehbhoy

Getting used to pace....

richthekeeper

Re: Getting used to pace....

mini998

Re: Getting used to pace....

ProCricketer1982

Re: Getting used to pace....

SOULMAN1012

Re: Getting used to pace....

Biggie Smalls

Re: Getting used to pace....

InternalTraining

Re: Getting used to pace....

Seniorplayer

Re: Getting used to pace....

prim0pyr0

Re: Getting used to pace....

Calzehbhoy

Re: Getting used to pace....

Seniorplayer

Re: Getting used to pace....

chetakrider

Re: Getting used to pace....