The ABC’s ofBATTING TECHNIQUE

Gary Palmer

13.09.2010 © Gary Palmer 2010

“If you want to write a good novel, you need a good vocabulary and a firm grasp of grammar.

A Test Match innings is a cricketer’s novel, created slowly and carefully for his own pleasure and that of his team mates and supporters; and in this instance, shots are his grammar and vocabulary.

Without a cricketing vocabulary, you simply can’t craft an innings: like many people who are not good writers, you might have a splendid idea, a match saving innings, a match-winning century.

But without the nuts and bolts grammar you won’t know where to start”

Bob WoolmerArt and Science of Cricket 2008

To be an effective technical coach you must have a thorough knowledge

of the mechanics of correct batting techniques

13.09.2010 © Gary Palmer 2010

Key Reasons For Adjusting Technique

• Has the ball been hit towards the correct target area• Has the ball been hit Cleanly• Have you missed the ball• Do you keep getting out a particular way• Are you finding it difficult to hit a certain target area• Is you performance inconsistent

Tips for correcting technique.

– Have a reason for changing it.– Know what you need to change.– Identify the source of the technical fault.– Adjust Technique in order of priority– Demonstrate and explain correct Technical change– Explain the benefits of technical correction.– Finally correct the technique and let the player

feel and see the improvement in his/her shots.

THE MOST IMPORTANT SHOTS TO CONSTRUCT TECHNIQUE

The most important shots to coach perfect technique are:

These shots form the foundation of good basicTechnique.Your Individual flair is built around these solidfoundations.

Front Foot Drive & Defence in the V

Back Foot Drive & Defence in the V

13.09.2010 © Gary Palmer 2010

CONSTRUCTING, ANALIZING AND FIXING TECHNIQUE

The A,B,C’S are the key:- ALIGNMENT- BALANCE- COMPLETION OF

SHOTTo Play the perfect shot you must strive to be

well balanced

perfectly Aligned

exaggerated completion

of shot

13.09.2010 © Gary Palmer 2010

We need to analyze Balance and Alignment at the key 5 stages

• Set Up ( Aligned to Bowler)• Backswing• Leaning in and stepping forward or Back• Contact with ball• Completion of Shot

To play the perfect shot you must maintain Alignment and Balance throughout the above 5 key stages .

well balanced

perfectly Aligned

exaggerated completion

of shot

Always analyze technique in the above sequence

ALIGNMENT

Good Alignment of the body allows the full face of the bat to swing in a straight line from backswing to target area allowing you to hit relevant scoring areas consistently

13.09.2010 © Gary Palmer 2010

well balanc

ed

perfectly

Aligned

exaggerated

completion of shot

What do we mean by Alignment?

When do we analyze Alignment?

- Alignment to bowler in Stance.- Alignment on Backswing.- Alignment to ball when Stepping forward or

back- Alignment on Contact with ball- Alignment on Completion of Shot

Alignment = Direction

BALANCE

Good Balance allows you to control your shots so they are more effective and consistent

well balanc

ed

perfectly

Aligned

exaggerated

completion of shot

What do we mean by Balance?

- Balance in Stance- Balance during Backswing- Balance Stepping Forward or Backward- Balance on Contact with Ball- Balance on Completion of Shot

Good Balance = Control of Shots

When do we analyze Balance?

Question - What is the importance of Alignment?

• Alignment allows you to hit your target area with good technique, thus minimising the risks of getting out.

Alignment = Consistent Direction of Shot

13.09.2010 © Gary Palmer 2010

What do we Align to ?• The Bowler• Ball• Target Area

What do we Align ?

• Head & Shoulder ( Head being the Cross Hair)• Feet & Hips• Forearms ( Especially Leading elbow)• Bat Path (Straight line from Backswing to Target)

Maintain Balance throughout and Finish shot with toe of bat at target area.

What Components of Technique do we need to Align

Stance - Feet/ Shoulders/Leading Elbow & forearms/Head/v’s in gripBackswing- Head/Shoulders/Leading elbow & Forearms/feet/Back swing.Alignment stepping forward or Back- Head/Shoulders/Leading elbow & Forearms/feet/Back swing.Alignment on contact with ball- Head/Shoulders/Feet/Leading Elbow & Forearms/Bat path to targetAlignment to Target area- Head/Shoulders/feet/Leading elbow & Forearms/Full Face of batAlignment on Completion of Shot- Head/Shoulders/Feet/Leading elbow & Forearms/Toe of bat to target.

The Check Drive is the simplest and best method of driving. 13.09.2010 © Gary Palmer 2010

Question- What is the importance of good balance.

• Balance allows you to control a shot.

• Balance = Control of Shot.

13.09.2010 © Gary Palmer 2010

Technical components of BalanceFront foot Shoots in the V

• Head Always leans to ball forward of body• Head always forward of front foot on contact• Head Always above and in line with body• Weight over front foot with back heel raised.

Back foot Shots in the V .• Head forward of body when stepping back• weight on back foot with head over front

foot• Head Always above and in line body

COMPLETION OF SHOT

• Balance, Alignment and good exaggerated shape• Components of Alignment to Check• Head/Shoulders/Feet/Leading elbow &

Forearms/Toe of bat to target.• Check for Good Balance.

well balanc

ed

perfectly

Aligned

exaggerated

completion of shot

What do we mean by Completion of Shot?

Technically correct exaggerated shape of Shots

What do we analyze on Completion of Shot?

Good Completion of Shot = Consistency of Shot

Question -Why is it important to have good completion of shot.

• This allows you good contact with the ball, and also makes hitting the target area easy.

• Good completion of shot lengthens your hitting zone which leads to consistency of hitting the ball cleanly.

Completion of Shot = Consistency

There is only one way to play a technically perfect shot.

• This means…..– no mixed messages – coaches and players all have the same information

to work with. – Simplicity

• Lets make Robots of correct technique so batting looks and becomes more natural and efficient.• Robots give the correct information perform efficiently and this equates to good performances.

Once players have the tools of good technique they can begin to express themselves within their game plans.

• The Coaches job is to lead the process of Constructing a players technique.

• The players job is to lead the development of their game plans with input from the coach.

• Through experiences of success and failure in pressurised match situations the player will work out what game plans he or she is most comfortable with.

TECHNIQUE IS THE KEY TO DELIVERING A WIDE VARIETY OF GAME PLANS

SUCCESSFULLY-Technique gives you a wide variety of game plan options.-Technique is the key to surviving challenging spells of bowling.- Technique helps you play the swinging and turning delivery effectively- Technique is the key to consistency- Technique is the key to a match winning innings- Technique gives you confidence and self-belief

CORRECT TECHNIQUE OF THE BASIC SHOTS NEEDS TO BE ACHIEVED TO ENJOY

CONSISTANT AND POSITIVE PERFORMANCES.

-Once the above is achieved it must be regularly serviced and maintained.-Only when this is done does the mental side of batting become of paramount importance, the mentally strong players who can handle pressure will become the best players.