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At the Fitzroy Cricket club we have senior players who are always whiling to help out those that show a keen interest, and share helpful hints and tips that they have learnt from their years of playing the game they love.
TRAINING TIPS
Batting Tip
Prepare yourself for each ball. It is important that you mentally prepare yourself for each ball you face, you can do this by simply steping away after each delivery and clearing your head of the ball you just faced and only thinking about the next ball.
Think about the 2 or 3 scoring shots that you want to play in this current situation, often all the situation calls for is a single to rotate strike, so think about your options, survey the fielders and play whats in front of you
Bating tip from Johnny McCullough, Opening Batsmen
Bowling Tip
Learn to bowl a good stock ball first. Some of the best bowlers in history have been so because they can put 4 or 5 balls an over in the same spot. this has allowed their captains to set good fields and build pressure, often forcing the batsmen to make the mistake.
A good stock ball would generally be one which ends up in the zone of uncertainty, so just above and just outside the off stump. this will force most batsmen to play at it most of the time, uncertain weather to come forward or go back
once you have mastered a good stock ball, any variations you have will be that much more potent, and often lead to that all important chance. Don't understermate having a good stock ball, most captains first choice of bowler would be one who they can reply on to put the ball in a good spot over and over again.
Bowling tip from Kevin Williams, fast medium bowler
Feilding Tip
1. Positive Intent is the energy behind your fielding - want the ball, all the time. Desire the opportunity to make the match winning catch, the run out to change the game, to save 8 runs per innings.
Set this as a goal each ball, it gets you into good positions to field the ball.
2. Desire:
Is the foundation of positive performance.
Set goals for your performance in the field- runs saved, catches taken per opportunity, direct hits ...
3. When fielding in the inner ring close down the angles that the ball can travel - you want to be close without compromising your reaction time.
4. Model Excellence: Copy the best Fielders in the world. A..B de Villiers, Ponting, Gibbs and Collingwood in the field. Study their body positions at the point when the ball is being hit. Whether you are at point, midwicket, slip or short leg.
5. Watch The Captain.
Keep your eye on the Captain at all times, they may want to move you to set a trap and they need your eye contact between balls to be able to make these adjustments.
6. Captain your own space on the field.
Know what your roles and responsibilities are in the field.
Know how you will be measured on your fielding and what the criteria is.
7. Get into the 'Power Position'.
When the ball is about to be hit, you want to get into the soccer goalkeeper position. Lower your body weight, head forward and hands ready and presented in front to the body ready for the ball. Balanced on the balls of your feet. A.B de Villiers is a great example of this, record him on TV and practice this in games and in training.
8. Put first things first - master the basics.
Practice single and double hand catching.
Ground balls, bouncing balls.
Master your throwing technique for accuracy and control.
9. Have a 'relax - recharge' routine to manage your energy and focus on the field.
Manage your energy - like in batting and bowling, you need to be able to switch your focus and energy on and off for when the ball is in play. To be alert for a full days play you have a finite amount of energy, manage it carefully, you need to be as alert at the end of the days play as you do in the opening 10 overs.
10. Watch the batter carefully, anticipation is critical in elite fielding.
When you are in a position in the inner ring or outfield, focus on the batter's body postion, after a while you will begin to see the positions they get into to hit specific shots.
Fielding tip from Faf Du Plessis, South African International Cricketer