Bowling E-Book

James Knott

• Herausgeber: Polaris
• Kategorie: Lebensstil
• Serie: Cricket Guides
• Sprache: Englisch

Seitenzahl: 459

Veröffentlichungsjahr: 2024

Beschreibung

This book is aimed at players and coaches (male & female) of all levels. James Knott and Andrew O'Connor have created a comprehensive and up to date guide to bowling for coaches, players and parents featuring photographs and diagrams along with sixty accessible drills. This is an essential guide to the intricate skills required to become a successful bowler for both players and coaches. With input from a wide range of elite players and coaches, past and present, this is an invaluable guide to developing bowling skills for young and old alike.

Leseprobe

‘This book is unique and has really struck on something special: unlocking the difficult ability to get the key fundamentals of bowling across in a simple yet detailed way. There is something here for all abilities – it is relevant to players at the beginning of their bowling journey all the way through to providing nuggets of advice for experienced players. It is a super and interesting read’

MARK PATTERSON, SURREY & IRELAND

‘The authors have a vast knowledge and delightful passion for the game and this recent instalment of their series of books is excellent. From grassroots to elite level cricketers, anybody could pick this book up and learn a snippet or two. I highly recommend’

JACK BROOKS, SOMERSET, YORKSHIRE, NORTHANTS CCC & ENGLAND LIONS

‘Another comprehensive guide which blends in-depth knowledge of all bowling disciplines and insight from elite players and coaches’

RICHARD HUDSON, CEO OF BUCKS CRICKET

‘This third book in the series is a great addition offering both technical and tactical coaching all described in a clear and understandable manner. The book is a valuable addition to the coach’s toolkit but is equally useful for parents and players alike. The drills section offers a welcome number of options and the photos ensure it is easy to follow. Whether you are new to coaching or have years of experience, this book will further your self-development and the way it is written means you can dip in and out whenever you have the opportunity’

CHRIS MALTON, NORTHANTS PERFORMANCE COACH

‘Another masterpiece. A comprehensive guide to the art of bowling – invaluable for both coaches and players alike. Bowling has evolved so much in recent years and this guide covers every aspect to enable all bowlers to take their game to the next level. Practical, insightful and hugely relevant. As a coach, I love the ongoing guidance notes which enables me to understand the context in order to be player-centric’

NICK BROOME, NORTHANTS PERFORMANCE COACH AND COACH DEVELOPMENT

BOWLING

A COMPREHENSIVE MODERN GUIDEFOR PLAYERS AND COACHES

JAMES KNOTT & ANDREW O’CONNOR

FOREWORDS BY

DARREN GOUGH

SAQLAIN MUSHTAQ

With contributions fromDavid Willey, Martin Bicknell, Gareth Batty,Ian Salisbury, Brenden Fourie, Chris Liddle & Phil Rowe

This edition first published in 2024 by

POLARIS PUBLISHING LTDc/o Aberdein Considine2nd Floor, Elder HouseMultrees WalkEdinburghEH1 3DX

www.polarispublishing.com

Text copyright © James Knott & Andrew O’Connor, 2024Photography copyright © Stowe Studio 100, 2024Follow on Instagram #stowestudio100

ISBN: 9781915359223eBook ISBN: 9781915359230

The right of James Knott & Andrew O’Connor to be identified as the authors of this work has been asserted by them in accordance with the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988.

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored or transmitted in any form, or by any means electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without the express written permission of the publisher.

The views expressed in this book do not necessarily reflect the views, opinions or policies of Polaris Publishing Ltd (Company No. SC401508) (Polaris), nor those of any persons, organisations or commercial partners connected with the same (Connected Persons). Any opinions, advice, statements, services, offers, or other information or content expressed by third parties are not those of Polaris or any Connected Persons but those of the third parties. For the avoidance of doubt, neither Polaris nor any Connected Persons assume any responsibility or duty of care whether contractual, delictual or on any other basis towards any person in respect of any such matter and accept no liability for any loss or damage caused by any such matter in this book.

Every effort has been made to trace copyright holders and obtain their permission for the use of copyright material. The publisher apologises for any errors or omissions and would be grateful if notified of any corrections that should be incorporated in future reprints or editions of this book.

All names and trademarks are the property of their respective owners, which are in no way associated with Polaris Publishing Ltd. Use of these names does not imply any cooperation or endorsement.

British Library Cataloguing-in-Publication DataA catalogue record for this book is available on request from the British Library.

Designed and typeset by Polaris Publishing, EdinburghPrinted in Great Britain by MBM Print, East Kilbride

CONTENTS

FOREWORD BY DARREN GOUGH

FOREWORD BY SAQLAIN MUSHTAQ

INTRODUCTION

ONE: THE BASICS

What is a Bowler?

The Grip

The Gather

Completing the Action

When to Release the Ball – the Timing of Release

The Bound

The Run-Up

The Follow-Through

Front-Arm Variations

Midway and Front-On Bowling Actions

TWO: SEAM AND SWING BOWLING

Outswing

Inswing

Varying the Amount of Swing

Wrist Flick

Shining the Ball

Reverse Swing

Changing the Ball

Seaming and Cutting the Ball

Wobble Seam

Cross Seam

Use of Crease and Bowling to Left-Handed Batters

Slower Balls

Off Cutter Slower Ball

Leg Cutter Slower Ball

Split Finger

Knuckle Ball

Back of the Hand Slower Ball

Bowling the Bouncer

Bowling with Purpose and Adding Pace

Picking the Right Ball

THREE: OFF SPIN BOWLING

The Grip

The Action

The Front Arm

The Run-Up or Approach to the Wicket

Completion

Where to Look and How to Respond

Bowling with Purpose and Spinning the Ball Hard

Variations

Bowling to Left-Handers and Left-Arm Orthodox Spin Bowlers

Shining the Ball

Bowling with the New Ball

FOUR: LEG SPIN BOWLING

The Grip

The Action

Stock Ball

Run-Up or Approach

Bowling with Purpose and Spinning the Ball Hard

Variations

Bowling with the New Ball

FIVE: BOWLING PRINCIPLES

Finding Top of Off

Wind and Slope

Bowling with a Wet Ball

The Three-Second Rule and the Power of Visualisation

Should I Bowl with the Wicketkeeper Up or Back?

Run-Ups and Dealing with No-Ball Problems

Bowling Principles

The All-Rounder

Verbals

SIX: BOWLING TACTICS

Before Play (Deciding Whether to Bat or Bowl First)

During play (General Bowling Tactics for All Formats)

How Will a Batter Try to Counteract the Bowling Plan?

How Will the Bowler Try to Counteract the Batter’s Plan?

Additional Bowling Tactics Relevant to Each Format of Cricket Played

T20 Match (White ball)

T20 Bowling Tactics

The Hundred (White Ball)

The Hundred Bowling Tactics

50-0ver Match (White Ball)

50-Over Bowling Tactics

Multi 2, 3, 4, or 5 Day Test Match (Red Ball).

Multi-Day Bowling Tactics

Field Placings Can Be Used as a Guide for Both Adult and Junior Cricket

SEVEN: MENTAL ASPECTS OF BOWLING

Mental Toughness

Motivations

Confidence

Visualisation or Mental Imagery

Concentration

Anxiety Control

Act Like a Professional

The Role of the Coach in the Bowler’s Mental Development

Getting to Know your Bowler

The Use of Open-Ended Questions

Listening intently to the Answers

Reacting to the Answers with Appropriate Thoughtful Responses

Use of Funnelling Questions to Self-Empower the Bowler

Ensuring a Positive Learning Environment

Dealing with Bowlers’ Non-Selection

Summary

EIGHT: LOOKING AFTER YOURSELF

Pre-Match Preparation

Pre-Match Bowling Warm-Up Routines

Post-Match Bowling Cool-Down Routines

Weekly Workload Record Sheets (Summer Matches and tTaining)

Rehabilitation Work Routines

Strength and Conditioning (S&C) work

Weekly Workload Record Sheets (Winter Training and Body Conditioning)

Fitness

Nutrition

Bowling in Hot Temperatures

Bowling in Cold Temperatures

Sleep

Bowling Equipment

NINE: BOWLING DRILLS

Coaching Styles

Bowlers Coaching Development Methods

Games-Based Learning

General Technical/Tactical Net Drills

Technical Remedial Work Drills

Fitness and Stability Drills

Useful Coaching Quotes to Remember

TEN: INTRODUCTION TO VIDEO ANALYSIS

Filming Location

Key Elements to Study in the Bowling Action

Snaking Run-Up

‘Cutting In’ or ‘Jumping In’ During the Bound

Excessive Bound Height with Backward Body Lean

Excessive Back-Leg collapse

Falling to Off Side

Front Leg Not Braced

Front Foot Cutting Off

Redundant Front Arm or Non-Bowling Arm

Seam Bowler’s Arm, Wrist and Fingers Not Vertical

Seam Bowlers Not Flicking Wrist

Off-Spinners Undercutting the Ball

Spin Bowler not rotating 180deg

Weak Follow-Through (Shoulders, Arms and Feet)

Weak Back-Leg Knee-Drive

ABOUT THE AUTHORS

ABOUT THE PLAYERS AND COACHES

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

FOREWORD BY

DARREN GOUGH

I have been lucky enough to witness some great bowling spells as a player and broadcaster for many years and I have been involved in many great duels with some of the world’s best batsmen like Brian Lara, Sachin Tendulkar, Ricky Ponting and Jacques Kallis to name just a few of them.

There is nothing more exciting in the game than to witness a great fast bowler steaming in – from Michael Holding bowling to Brian Close, to Allan Donald to Michael Atherton, Freddie Flintoff to Jacques Kallis or indeed a great spinner weaving a web like Shane Warne or Muttiah Muralitharan.

My memories of Donald versus Atherton were – ‘I hope I don’t have to face him!’ Donald was disappointed that he didn’t get a decision, so he turned up the volume on Atherton with rhythm and anger, but always maintaining control with pure athleticism and technique. Fair play to Atherton – he was always up for the challenge of facing fast bowling, as he proved a few years earlier in Johannesburg when South Africa threw everything at him.

It is important as a bowler to believe in your ability, to enjoy the challenges and always remember it only takes one ball, no matter how much the batter may be on top up to then. You’ve got to want to bowl at the best at any stage of the game. I’ve had many battles over the years – the ones against the great Australia team of the 90s arguably the greatest ever.

With the new ball there were challenges bowling to the likes of Michael Slater who played aggressively from the outset, wanting to dominate. You win some, you lose some. Then there was Ricky Ponting and Steve Waugh in the middle overs, when the new ball had gone, knowing they were huge scalps – you had to get them early or they usually went big. Then there was Adam Gilchrist coming in at seven, when you’re tiring, runs are already on the board, and he wants to take the game forward quickly.

You have to be strong, positive and have a plan A and a plan B. I was lucky enough to dismiss Ricky Ponting and Brian Lara on quite a few occasions, of which I’m immensely proud as they are two genuine greats of the game.

No two bowlers are alike, and these differences can make a devilish duo when bowling together. Wasim Akram + Waqar Younis, Alan Donald/Dale Steyn + Shaun Pollock, Glen McGrath + Jason Gillespie, Courtney Walsh + Curtly Ambrose, Jimmy Anderson + Stuart Broad, and even Darren Gough + Andy Caddick.

The most destructive for me was Akram and Younis. In their pomp both bowling 90mph+, swung the new ball, and when the pitch got flat, in any country, they could bowl deadly reverse swing, a real skill to devastating effect – often teams went from 100-1 to 150 all out!

Dale Steyn and Shaun Pollock from South Africa are a close comparison. Steyn with his pace and skill in all conditions. Pollock with his height and accuracy gives you no freebies along the same lines of McGrath, Walsh and Ambrose.

Both of my sons, Liam and Brennan, were coached by the two authors, Andy and James, whilst they were at Stowe School. They are both highly committed coaches with decades of experience between them. They have created a book that will provide you with all of the fundamentals of bowling and also highlight the various different options in how to go about your craft. No stone has been left unturned as the book delves into the technical, tactical, mental, physical attributes required as well as a large drills section to help you improve your game.

My inspiration for bowling fast came from watching the fast bowlers of the 80s on TV – Botham, Willis, Marshall, Lillee and Hadlee. By working hard with my coaches, especially Steve Oldham (who was the one that discovered me and turned me into the finished article) and some inspiration along the way from Waqar and Wasim bowling to England in the early 90s, as well as chatting to Malcolm Marshall about fast bowling and Richie Richardson, our overseas captain, who pushed me to bowl faster.

Darren GoughYorkshire, Essex & England

FOREWORD BY

SAQLAIN MUSHTAQ

In the vibrant tapestry of cricket, where legends are born and battles are fought, a new chapter unfolds with Bowling: A Comprehensive Modern Guide for Players and Coaches. This book, crafted by my dear friend and teammate, James Knott, and his co-author, Andrew O’Connor, delves deep into the intricate art of bowling, be it the relentless seam attack or the mesmerising spin wizardry.

Cricket, they say, is a game of uncertainties, where no two bowlers are exactly alike. James and Andrew embody this truth in their work, emphasising the beauty of individuality and the ever-evolving journey of self-discovery on the cricketing path. As we journey through the pages of this guide, we are reminded that cricket is not just a sport; it’s a way of life.

The book’s approach is as diverse as the field of play itself. From the technical nuances that define a great bowler to the tactical acumen required to thrive in the ever-changing forms of the game. It touches on the physical attributes that can make or break a cricketer’s career and delves deep into the mental fortitude that sets champions apart.

For me, cricket has always been more than a game – it’s an art form. James’s book captures this essence as it unravels the intricate web of spin bowling. The challenges I faced and conquered during my career are stories that find their place in these pages. Spin bowling is a dance of deception, and the book’s exploration of variations is a treasure chest for aspiring spin maestros.

As I look back on my journey, I can’t help but reminisce about the drills and methods that shaped my craft. The enigmatic doosra, a delivery that left batsmen perplexed, was born from thinking beyond the ordinary. Mental drills and spot bowling became my allies on the relentless quest for control and precision. These insights, shared within these pages, serve as a guiding light for those who seek to master the art of spin.

Beyond the technical aspects, what shines through the book is the enduring camaraderie that cricket nurtures. Memories of sharing a room with James, of conversations that transcended language barriers, remain etched in my heart. Cricket has a unique ability to bridge divides and forge friendships that last a lifetime.

James and I share a history not only on the field but also off it. His father, Alan Knott, was a beacon of knowledge, illuminating the path for everyone. James himself is a consummate professional and a sophisticated mind who extended his wisdom beyond the cricket pitch. I learned from him not just about the game but also about life’s nuances. He was the guiding star, always there through the moments of frustration and triumph.

As for James, the man who donned multiple hats – a seam bowler, an off-spinner, a leg-spinner, and a wicketkeeper for Surrey – he is a testament to cricket’s enduring legacy. His commitment to the sport and the values it embodies is commendable. His co-author – Andrew – is a Northants Academy coach and has been coaching at the county for 20 years. His rich experience and knowledge shines through in these pages.

In the grand tapestry of cricket, every cricketer, be it the seasoned pro or the eager novice, finds their unique journey. This book, with its insights and stories, paves the way for each one to carve their path in the world of cricket. It is a tribute to the sport we hold dear and the memories we cherish.

With that, I extend my heartiest thanks to James and Andrew for this remarkable contribution to the cricketing world. To all those who embark on this journey through the pages of Bowling, I offer my best wishes. May this book be your guiding star as you step onto the field, armed with knowledge, passion and the indomitable spirit of cricket.

Saqlain MushtaqFormer International Cricketer& Specialist Spin Bowling Coach

INTRODUCTION

The bowler is the most important player of any cricket match. Without the bowler delivering the ball the game would not start, runs could not be scored and wickets not taken. Coaches will often talk about setting the right tone from the first ball of the match and it is always the opening bowler (whether seam or spin) who is charged with this. It is hard for a team to stay ‘energised’ and ‘vocal’ or ‘create an environment’ if a bowler is not performing.

Bowling, whether seam or spin, is very exciting. The most enticing viewing in a cricket match is watching a great spell of bowling. Witnessing the likes of James Anderson swing and seam the ball – setting the batsman up, or Mark Wood bowling 90mph+ and having the batsman ducking and swaying before getting the yorker in and sending the stumps flying, or Ravindra Ashwin extracting bounce and turn and working through all his variations. When a bowler is on top it is always very captivating viewing.

This book is aimed at all bowlers and coaches, wherever you are on your cricketing journey, be that a beginner or a senior player. The book provides detailed analysis of technique, tactics, game plans and variations for all types of bowling, as well as how to adapt to the various formats of the game. If you are just starting to learn to bowl this will give you a great insight into seam and spin bowling – give them all a go – there is no need to specialise yet.

Further, there are chapters on the physical and mental aspects of bowling, as well as training. For more experienced bowlers there is an advanced section and for coaches a comprehensive drills section which will help keep training fun and varied. Throughout the book there are contributions from players and coaches, past and present.

As with any aspect of cricket there are several ways of achieving the same thing, and there are so many different bowling styles out there. Watch any current international match – no two bowlers are the same. We will give you various options on bowling actions for seam, swing and spin and the many variations available to bowlers of all types. Hopefully, from the various methods suggested you will find as a player what works for you. Ultimately, you need to understand your own game and play to your strengths. As coaches we need to understand the various styles and adapt our approach to different players – finding out what works best for them.

Note for players and coaches

Remember, whatever level you are currently playing or coaching, you can always learn something new. Learn from watching video of the best players, learn from the players and coaches you play with and against, and always strive to be better tomorrow than you are today.

Throughout this book, all technical descriptions and drill references are for bowling right-handed to a right-hand batter unless stated otherwise.

ONE

THE BASICS

‘Practise, practise, practise! Having a repeatable action is key to consistency. You won’t get any better by not bowling so go hit some target areas and learn that skill.’

MARTIN BICKNELL

Surrey & England

Director of Cricket at Charterhouse School

What is a Bowler?

In every official game of cricket played all over the world, from the first ball of the match to the last, the bowler bowls the ball which subsequently initiates all the proceeding action. The batter can only react to what is bowled at them.

Their role is to take ten batters’ wickets and stop them from scoring runs. To help achieve this, the bowler has ten fielders who can be strategically positioned anywhere within the perimeter of the pitch. The bowler can bowl the ball at any speed and induce any ball movement available.

All of this takes place under variable weather and pitch conditions.

There are 11 methods of taking a batter’s wicket, the bowler being directly involved in eight of them. These are: Bowled, Caught, LBW, Stumped, Run Out, Hit Wicket, Handled the Ball, Hit the Ball Twice. (The remaining forms of dismissal are; Obstructing the Field, Timed Out, Retired Out).

The bowling action and number of deliveries bowled, methods of dismissal, pitch and ground dimensions, ball type, match format and duration, and finally the time of play, are all governed by the Laws of Cricket.

To bowl the ball consistently in the same spot or where you want it to go you need a strong, repeatable action where everything is the same every ball in terms of your grip (unless deliberately bowling a variation), your run-up, your bowling action and then your follow-through. As with any skill these take a lot of practice. To get better at bowling you need to bowl.

‘Practice is a balance between exploring (adding skills) and having a strong repeatable action that you can rely on.’GARETH BATTYSurrey & England, Surrey CCC Head Coach

The Grip

To be able to bowl the ball the first thing you need to know how to do is how to hold the ball – commonly called the bowler’s ‘grip’ of the ball.

In this book we will detail various different grips for the various types of bowling – seam, swing and spin, and all of the variations therein. For the purposes of this chapter we will only be dealing with the grip for a ‘seam-up’ delivery.

If you are reading this as an absolute beginner, the seam of the ball is the middle part where the leather is stitched together and creates a pronounced part of the ball known as the ‘seam’ of the ball. The photo below highlights the seam of the ball.

To grip the ball correctly for a seam-up delivery you should only use three fingers. Your index finger, your middle finger and your thumb as in these photos:

Try gripping the ball in both hands to see which feels the most comfortable. In terms of bowling, nearly all players bowl with their dominant hand (usually the one they write/throw with, but not always). Note that the ball is placed towards the ends of the fingers, with the second knuckle touching the ball, and there should be a gap between the ball and the hand. To start with have your two fingers slightly apart but so they are still touching the outer parts of the seam. Angle your thumb it a little so the side of the thumb is on the middle part of the seam. The grip needs to be tight enough so the ball does not fall out of the fingers but not so tight that it is hard to let go. Your third finger is bent and nestled lightly against the side of the ball. Ultimately, experiment to see how far into the fingers the ball goes until it feels comfortable.

‘The grip is quite individual – more so than many non-bowlers might suspect. In general, I would encourage a starting point of the inside of the fingers sitting on the outside of the seam, so slightly apart. You will find plenty of bowlers who have a narrower grip with their fingers more on top of the seam. There is no right and wrong here and I definitely encourage experimentation with the grip, in particular when looking to achieve different outcomes.’PHIL ROWEFormer Northants Bowling Coach

Note for players and coaches

For a young player to be able to grip the ball correctly it is important that they use the correct size ball that enables this. This table below shows the correct weight and size for varying age groups.

Cricket ball specifications

Weight

Circumference

Men, and boys 13 and over

5.5 to 5.75oz (156 to 163g)

8.81 to 9in (224 to 229mm)

Women, and girls 13 and over

4.94 to 5.31oz (140 to 151g)

8.25 to 8.88in (210 to 226mm)

Children under 13

4.69 to 5.06oz (133 to 143g)

8.06 to 8.69in (205 to 221mm)

The Bowling Action

There are three main actions that bowlers adopt when bowling the ball. They are front-on, side-on and midway. The three photos below show each one:

For the purposes of this chapter we are going to detail a side-on action. To begin with place your feet wider than shoulder width apart with your left shoulder pointing at where you want the ball to be delivered. If you are in a net this would be towards the stumps at the other end. If in your garden or bedroom use something to act as the stumps and angle your shoulder towards that. Your head should be turned into the shoulder looking at where you want to bowl the ball. Although there are variations to this – start by looking at the spot where you want to land the ball:

‘Where you look is important, some bowlers rely on feel, others on focusing on where you want the ball to land.’MARTIN BICKNELL

From this point raise your left arm (referred to as your ‘front arm’ and can be either completely straight or slightly bent) so it is pointing at the sky. It needs to be slightly angled so you can look over your arm at the target as in these photos:

In this photo the player has an open fist, but it can be a clenched one as well. Now place the hand with the ball on under your chin as in these photos:

This position of the ball is often referred to as ‘biting the apple’.

At this your bowling arm is bent, but to be within the laws of the game it must be straight throughout the action. So, from here the bowling arm unfurls until, with a straight arm, it is pointing in the opposite direction to your front arm as in these photos:

Now, imagine both of your arms are working together. Your front arm should move towards the target and your bowling arm should move in time with it until eventually it is your front arm that is pointing down to the ground and your bowling arm above your head:

Note that the bowling arm is very close to the right ear, so you can maximise height on ball release and making it much easier to bowl straight and keep the seam upright. Some bowlers do have a lower arm but initially think of your shoulders working vertically not horizontally as in this photo:

Think of your arms as arms of a clock – working together around the clock face.

Note for players and coaches

When teaching a player to bowl for the first time, doing so in front of a mirror is a powerful tool for the player to see for themselves the technical aspects of their action. At first practise the action without involving the legs or a run-up, just to get used to how the arms work in the action.

Note at this stage we have not engaged the legs or hips – we just want you to get used to the action of the arms and how they work together and the importance of having a straight bowling arm. Practise this without letting go of the ball (or you can practise without bowling the ball). Just one thing to remember is when your bowling arm is above your head the ball and the palm of the hand must be facing the target and not rotated in any way. Lock the wrist tight. This is because we want the ball to go down the wicket straight and with the seam upright. An upright seam gives the ball a chance to move in the air (called swing) or move off the wicket (called seam movement). The reason we want the ball to have a chance to move in the air or off the pitch is that a moving ball is much harder to play.

Throughout the bowling action keep your front arm tight to the body – it should brush the outside your left thigh as it comes down – do not allow it to arc away. It should go towards where you want to bowl. Imagine if your left hand fell off whilst you were bowling it would hit off stump. Think of staying as compact as possible with both arms staying close to your body.

‘Line and length comes down to the repeatability of your action. If everything is the same each time, you’ve got more chance. Factors that influence this are your alignment, momentum and balance, which all incorporates a physical element. When that’s all nailed down, then it’s just repetition. Practise, practise, practise!’DAVID WILLEYNorthants & England

The Gather

Once you have mastered the arm movement now it is time engage the lower parts of your body – your legs and hips. Now when you raise your front arm and place your bowling hand under your chin also raise your left leg up to waist height:

From here step forward towards the target (off stump at the batter’s end) and at the same time start unfurling your arms. Your front foot should land flat with your toes pointing at the target. Try and keep your knee straight, not bent – known as a ‘braced’ front leg. If you can’t manage that it is fine to have a slight knee bend on landing. A braced front leg is good for bowling fast and maintaining height in your bowling action.

Your front arm should be waist height pointing at the target as your foot lands. Your bowling arm should be straight – pointing in the opposite direction:

As you can see in the photo the head remains upright (although most bowlers’ heads lean away slightly to allow the bowling arm to come over) but moving towards the target. From here complete the arm movement but do not move the legs any more:

Completing the Action

We are not quite ready to add a run-up, but we do need to engage our other leg and hips to enable more momentum in our bowling action and generate more pace. This time, as we move our bowling arm from hip height up above our head, bring your right leg forward in line with your other leg:

Note that the right leg is not splayed out, it is close to the left leg. Practise that a few times to get the feel of it and then add a drive through with the right knee and hips towards the target and allow your arms to go full circle so that your front arm is now behind you pointing directly behind your bowling arm to finish in line with your left hip. Your right foot should now be pointing at the target:

Note that, although your upper body has moved forward toward the target, ideally the head should be angled upright looking at the target. At all stages of the action aim to keep your eyes focused on where you want to bowl the ball, even after you have let go of it. For all pace bowlers it is important to emphasise that it is a drive through with the back leg.

When to Release the Ball – the Timing of Release

The mechanics of your action can help determine the line that you bowl, but the timing of when you let go of the ball determines its length. This will vary depending on your height and strength initially. The main factor to consider is we want the ball to bounce, but only once. We want it to be straight and in a perfect world be hitting the ‘top of off stump’ as this is the length, if the batter is stood in their crease, that is the hardest to play. This will be the ball that you bowl most often – referred to as your ‘stock’ ball. If you can repeatably hit this length and move the ball in the air or off the pitch you will cause problems for the batter. As a guide to the different types of length please refer to this diagram.

So, if you are a young player starting out then you’re likely to need to release the ball just before your bowling arm is completely vertical above your head so that the ball’s flight goes up slightly first before coming down. If you are older, taller and stronger then you would need to release the ball slightly after the vertical point so the ball has a downward trajectory to achieve the length we are after. It is very much about ‘feel’.

Varying your length depends on the timing of release. To bowl a fuller length (closer to the stumps and the batter) then your release needs to be earlier, and to bowl a shorter length a later release is required. However, these are only small changes – all release points are close to the vertical.

As noted earlier, to start with, have your eyes fixed on the spot where you want to land the ball throughout all parts of the bowling action. If you were throwing a ball to a friend then you would be looking at them and more precisely at their hands that are going to catch the ball. So initially that’s where you should focus your eyes when bowling – on the spot where you want to land the ball. You can adjust from there. If the ball is going fuller than where you are looking, then look at a shorter length. If it is going shorter, then look fuller. Some bowlers like to have a broader area in mind to target but the principle remains the same.

Before we add a full run-up move back from the stumps a few steps and walk a few steps towards the crease before performing and competing the action. Get used to having an approach to the crease before bowling.

Note for players and coaches

It is important the players practics on the correct length wickets for their age groups. The chart below shows these:

Age Group

Boys

Girls

Under 9

15 Yards / 17 Yards*

15 yards

Under 10

17 Yards*

17 yards

Under 11

17 Yards*

17 yards

Under 12

18 Yards*

18 yards

Under 13

19 Yards*

18 yards

Under 14

21 Yards*

20 yards

Under 15

22 Yards*

20 yards

Under 17

22 Yards*

22 yards

*Please note that U9 hardball cricket will take place on 17-yard pitches, with all softball on 15 yards.

The Bound

Before running in, though, we need to discuss the ‘bound’. To achieve a side-on position for your bowling action you will have had to leave the ground a little to achieve this whilst running at pace. As a right-arm over, side-on bowler you will take off from your left foot and rotate your body side-on in mid-air to land on your right foot, which should be parallel to the crease. This photo sequence shows from take-off to landing:

So having tried a few walk-throughs previously, now move back a bit further adding a few more steps and add some more pace to these steps (still walking, not running) and practise your left-foot take-off and right-foot landing. You should approach the crease square-on and then turn in mid-air to gain the side on position. If you turn too early it will be harder to align towards the batter’s off stump.

It is important not to lean back too much as you bound or bend your right leg too much as you land, although some bending is required. You will see in these photos the position of the front arm and bowling have begun moving into position. One important aspect of the bound is not to jump too high so that you lose momentum going towards where you want to bowl. Also, the higher you jump the more the right knee needs to bend to absorb the landing, which can lead to you falling away and not aligning to the target.

Note for players and coaches

A good method for learning the bound and getting into a side-on position is to introduce a small hurdle that bowlers need to jump over and towards the target. Approach the hurdle square-on and then take off from your left foot over the hurdle and complete your bowling action having landed on your right foot the other side.

The Run-Up

‘The run-up plays a huge part in how we bowl, we have to gain enough momentum to allow the bowler to maintain that through back-foot and front-foot contact. Each bowler will have an optimum pace that allows them to feel control of their base at the crease. Athletic running strides that the bowler can maintain form at when they are at their optimum pace is very important.’CHRIS LIDDLENorthants Bowling Coach

Now that the basics of the action are in place we can start thinking about adding a run-up. For all types of bowlers a run-up is important so we can gain the required momentum to add pace on the delivery. Some spinners may walk up to the crease, but for seam bowlers it is a run.

The run-up is not a sprint, it is a controlled running approach that should accelerate as you get closer to the crease and be quick enough to add pace to your bowling, but not too quick that you cannot perform the bowling action correctly and you are out of control of your body’s movements.

To begin with, start at the point where your front foot would ideally land upon release (this is usually cutting the popping crease in half). Do not have a ball in hand. Begin running away from the crease in a straight line, gradually accelerating until you reach around 75% of your maximum pace and then complete your bowling action. Don’t stop immediately – allow yourself to keep going until you naturally come to a stop.

Note for players and coaches

One of the important parts of a run-up is it is the same every ball. Therefore, it is important to always begin your run-up with the same foot each time and that step is always the same length. This can be marked if necessary. Also encourage your bowlers to lean forward slightly with chest and head before stepping so they lead the way in the approach to the wicket.

No two bowlers have the same length run-up (and yours will most likely change as you get older, grow and become more experienced) but to begin with start your bowling action when you reach 75% of maximum pace and very importantly when it feels natural to do so. It has to feel right for you. Do this a few times – still with no ball in hand. The reason to do this without a ball in hand is so that you run naturally as you would in a race with arms and legs pumping in a straight line.

‘A bowler’s run-up is very individual but the most important thing is your alignment and momentum. Everything should be working towards where you want to deliver the ball – the direction you run and the direction you follow through. Very often you put a ball in somebody’s hand and they run completely different. Try and keep it relaxed and natural – it should feel good.’DAVID WILLEY

‘Rhythm is the key, followed by good balance through the crease, maintaining a straight line through to the target. When you hit the crease, make sure you drive through with your landing leg, and get your bowling shoulder all the way through, following through towards the target. To improve accuracy, balance through the crease is crucial. Keep your head as upright as possible, driving it, your front and bowling arms again in a straight line towards the target.’BRENDEN FOURIEBorder and Leicestershire CC

One major aspect to avoid is your legs crossing over as you run up:

You will now need a coach, parent or friend with you, then ask them to mark with a flat marker where your front foot lands as you run away from the crease. Do this for six balls, asking them to mark each one. There will most likely be some variation to begin with but identify which one ‘felt’ the best and most natural. Leave that marker there and do six more – thinking of the timing to land your front foot on that same marker. With more repetitions the run-up will start to gain more consistency.

Now try a few from the mark to the crease. You should land on or behind the line. If you land over the line it will be called a ‘no-ball’. Each time remember to allow the momentum to carry you forward down the wicket – do not stop still. In terms of how close to land your front foot in relation to the stumps then start ‘mid-crease’, which is a point equal distance from the stumps to return crease as marked on this diagram:

There are variations to this, which are discussed later in the book.

At this point you also need to take note of the length of your run-up. Taking even strides (as in every stride the same length), count how many back to the crease and make a note of this number. Now next time you are playing you can pace out your run-up.

We identified earlier that the ideal line and length is one where the ball is hitting the top of off stump after bouncing once. The point where you start your run-up is the point where you can draw a straight line from that point through the middle of the popping crease to the off stump. If you have a long piece of string you can mark this out. You will notice there is a slight angle towards the wicket.

From starting the bound to gather and then completing your action you want as much of your momentum going in a straight line towards the batter’s off stump. Run in a straight line to that target. Ideally, if you want to bowl the ball straight then your run-up needs to be straight. We don’t want it to curve or move in to out or out to in. As well as enabling a more consistent line to your bowling, a straight approach makes it easier to gain optimum momentum and therefore more pace to your bowling, as well as good alignment of your feet from back-foot contact to front-foot contact.

It should also be noted that if your back foot, upon landing, whether grounded or raised, cuts the return crease, this is also a no-ball. As mentioned earlier, if your front foot oversteps the popping crease this is also a no-ball – you must have some part of your foot, whether grounded or raised, behind the popping crease. A batter cannot be dismissed off a no-ball. It will cost you one run and you will have to bowl the ball again.

Another type of no-ball is if you deliver the ball and it bounces twice before reaching the batter and also if you bowl a delivery above waist height to the batter without bouncing. Lastly, if you deliver the ball with a throwing action (arm bent to straight on release) this also can be signalled a no-ball by the umpire. Your bowling arm must not straighten throughout the bowling action.

A wide is different to a no-ball. It is called by the umpire if it is perceived by the umpire to be wide enough that the batter cannot play the ball with a legitimate stroke. In some limited overs matches the wide is brought closer into the batter and maybe signalled any time you bowl a ball down the leg side. A wide costs you one run and the ball must be bowled again.

The Follow-Through

Despite happening after you have let go of the ball the follow-through is still an important part of the bowling action. For a lot of bowlers, concentrating on the follow-through keeps them upright at the crease and driving towards the target. That is the key point – the follow-through is a drive through to where you are bowling and then you naturally slow down.

The principle is – ‘follow the ball down the pitch’. The caveat to this is when playing on turf wickets then there is an area of the pitch that you are not allowed on, so your follow-through does have to move from this area. The following photos show the path of a good follow-through:

Even in the follow-through you should have your eyes still drilled on where you want to land the ball.

The following diagram highlights the area of the pitch that you are not allowed to follow through into:

Front-Arm Variations

If you have watched any cricket live or on TV, you will have noted that bowling styles are very different and vary greatly from player to player. One of these differences is the use of the front arm. When discussing the front arm earlier in the chapter it was very much about keeping this arm (as well as the bowling arm) straight. However, most pace bowlers do not do this – they pull their elbow into the side of their body. For some this happens when the arm is vertical above the head while others keep the arm straight until waist height and then the elbow is pulled in. The following show the differences between all three.

One of the reasons bowlers use these methods is to gain more pace. So do try both and see what you prefer – you might use a combination like a hard pull-down for your bouncer. The important aspect is for it not to allow the head to drop as you pull in. Pull in hard but keep your head up and momentum going forward.

The other reason bowlers use a pull-in rather than straight front arm is it can help keep them ‘compact’ and keep the front arm tight to the body so they do not fall away in the action. A straighter arm for longer can lead to the front arm arcing away from the body and not going in a straight line to the target.

In terms of the front arm starting position, it can start bent, but the important part is having the elbow high – ideally at least to eye level as in this photo:

The important part here with a bent front arm is that the bend does not result in the hand starting to point to the leg side because when pulling in from here the natural arc of the arm is to go to the off side with the shoulders working horizontally not vertically, which will affect your wrist position on release and decrease accuracy.

Midway and Front-On Bowling Actions

Again, if you’ve watched some cricket you will have definitely noticed that all bowlers are side-on – some are partially side-on (called midway) or completely front-on. Perhaps your favourite bowler is the England fast bowler Gus Atkinson and you would rather bowl like him. That is fine – the principles for all three are very similar and in terms of the bound is actually easier when front on. The key is not to be mixed with your bottom half landing side on and your top half front-on, or the other way round. This stresses the back, which can cause problems later in life.

The following photos show the full sequence of both midway and front-on bowling actions. Note the differences in feet position on back-foot landing and where the front arm is in relation to the head. With any action it is important to avoid a cross over of arms as you run in and then gather.

Note for players and coaches

If you find a player with a mixed action and feel they are putting a lot of stress on their back, then it is usually (although not always) easier to then align the top half with the feet rather than the other way around. These are mixed actions and can put a lot of stress on the back.

The bowling action, particularly the path of the arms, shoulders and hands, is quite a complicated series of movements for both bowling and non-bowling (front) arms.

A simple and effective way of visualising this for very young bowlers is by using a plastic hoop (size suitable for age and size of bowler) to provide a track for the hands and arms to run around. The importance of trying to move each arm in relatively vertical alignments, moving towards the target, can be both seen and felt by the bowler.

Firstly this should be demonstrated by the coach, holding the hoop in the following manner:

• Bowling arm. The hoop is held in the non-bowling hand (front arm) across to the appropriate ball-starting position for the bowling arm. The hoop is held slightly away from the body, creating a big vertical circle for the ball and bowling arm to track around. The coach demonstrates the tracking movement from the bent-arm gather position, through to the high, straight-arm release. This can be done with or without a ball.

• Non-bowling (front arm). The hoop is now held in the bowling hand across to the appropriate starting position for the front arm and hand. The hoop is held slightly away from the body, creating a big vertical circle for the non-bowling (front arm) to track around. The coach demonstrates the tracking movement from the raised vertical front forearm and elbow position, through to the high, follow-through finishing position.

The bowler can then try this themselves or with the assistance of the coach holding the hoop in its approximate position. This visual method of coaching should help the young bowler to feel the arm and body movements necessary to deliver the ball from a vertical arm position, and with practice develop an efficient action co-ordinating both arm movements simultaneously.

Another successful method of coaching a young bowler the importance of balance and the vertical movement of the bowling and non-bowling arm is to ask them to imagine bowling through a single doorway. Ask them what would happen if they fall to the side or lean or lower the angle of their arms. They always answer, ‘I’ll smash my hands into the door frame!’

With this in mind suggest to them that a good principle to remember would be to ‘stay tall and narrow and go straight’. Even discussing bowling through airport customs X-ray machines can help them understand these bowling principles. Ask them, ‘What is the first part of your body to go through the beam?’ The answers are invariably ‘foot, hand or head’. Any answer is fine, as long as all three are going straight!

Finally, another method of helping to attain a ‘tall, narrow and straight’ bowling alignment is to use an intervention pole corridor. This method is shown in the Bowling Drills and Video Analysis chapters.

TWO

SEAM AND SWING BOWLING

‘As a fast bowler you must be willing and able to push your body to gain the most out of what you have, and, when under pressure, be able to know what your best options are and how to deploy them.’

CHRIS LIDDLENorthants & England Women’s Bowling Coach

In this chapter we will discuss the various technical components of pace bowling, which incorporates the art of swinging the ball, seaming the ball, bowling variations (use of the crease, slower balls, bouncers and yorkers) and how to add pace. Tactical advice is in chapter six. All of the skills below can only be mastered with lots of practice and this should often be done when a batter is not present to allow you to hone skill without the consequence of what the batter is doing.

‘Wrist position is the absolute key. Seam presentation either angling towards fine leg or slip depending on which way you want to swing the ball. The seam must not wobble so ensure the ball is released off the end of your fingers. Practise with a red and white ball for an idea of what your seam does.’MARTIN BICKNELLSurrey & England

‘To maximize any swing that is available, a good wrist position is critical, ensuring that you keep your fingers behind the ball.’BRENDEN FOURIEBorder & Leicestershire CC

Outswing

In the last chapter we looked at a side-on action predominantly with a grip for a seam-up delivery. A side-on action, to generalise, assists outswing bowling with the way the shoulders work and how that can affect the wrist and release of the ball. However, it is possible to bowl an outswinger with a midway or front-on action. It is all to do with the grip you have on the ball and wrist position on release of the ball.

‘The conventional view here is that a bowler needs to be ‘side-on’ to swing the ball out and more ‘front/chest-on’ to swing the ball in. My opinion is that it’s possible (not always easy) to swing the ball either way with almost any bowling action. The less the bowler changes their action to achieve a different outcome, the more difficult things become for the batsman. The arm path and in particular the wrist position/ball presentation are crucial factors.’PHIL ROWEformer Northants bowling coach

An outswinger is a ball that swings away from the batter as it comes down to them. The England great Jimmy Anderson is a great exponent of the outswinger (as well as inswing and other variations) so do watch some video of him. The diagram opposite shows what the path of the ball should be like for an outswinger.

This delivery is generally used to try to have the batter caught behind by the wicketkeeper or slips. The higher the level you play the more important this delivery will become.

In terms of gripping the ball it can help to angle the seam slightly to the left – pointing to where 1st or 2nd slip would be:

In terms of your index and middle finger they can remain slightly apart or can come together on the seam – experiment to see which is better for achieving outswing – it is different for all bowlers. The thumb should be on its side in the middle of the seam – this helps lock the wrist in place.

Note for players and coaches

In terms of locking the wrist it can help to have the thumb knuckle bent on the seam as in this photo: