COACHING TIPS FOR THE INTERESTED
I don't claim, nor do I pretend, to be an expert in this field - never have, never will. But I have at least attended the English Cricket Board's Level 1 Coaches course, so I am qualified to quote what they say is the right way to do things. Having said that, everything on these "tips" pages is in my own words, and any opinions expressed are mine and mine alone, so any complaints to me, not the ECB please!
So, on a weekly basis starting now, that is exactly what I intend to do.
I realise not many people will read this page, and it probably won't be worth the effort - but what the hell, if it keeps me off the streets...
If you have any questions or comments, please feel free to email me - helsinki dot phil at gmail dot com
WEEK 14 TIPS
THE BASIC BOWLING GRIP
The terms used here are for RIGHT-handed bowlers, bowling to right-handed batsmen. Lefties should reverse any of the instructions with regard to direction etc., and similarly if you are bowling to a lefty.
Basic Grip
This is the basic grip for a bowler who isn't trying to spin the ball. It is meant for the bowler who is trying to use line, length, and pace, to do the job. The spinner's grips follow at the bottom of the page here, but for now, this picture shows how you should be holding the ball at the moment you let it fly if you are bowling seam or swing.
Place the forefinger and middle finger on either side of the seam, but very close (resting on it is probably best) to it, the thumb resting underneath the ball (actually ON the seam for swing bowling, unlike in the piture here) with the seam as upright as possible. This will give you the best possible chance of landing the ball on the seam when it pitches (bounces) which, together with the swing, will give you the best chance of making the ball bounce into or away from the batsman.
This is the basic grip for seam bowling. You should experiment with it, change little bits and pieces, for example how close to the ends of your fingers you hold the ball, how far back or forward your thumb is, how tight you grip the ball etc., in order to give you the best grip for your own action, the best 'feel' for the ball. But don't stray too far from this picture, the basics WORK :)
Swing Bowling
Bowling inswing or outswing - making the ball move away from, or in towards the batsman, will depend on which way the seam is pointing, and whether the "shiny" side of the ball is on the left or right as the bowler looks at it at the point of delivery. Changing how th thumb sits underneath the seam will help in the aiming process.Inswing
To make the ball swing in the air in towards the batsman, hold the ball with the flat part of your thumb resting on the seam underneath the ball, with the seam pointing towards leg slip, and the shiny side of the ball on the left as you look at it at the point of delivery. Because of the very complicated laws of physics controlling swing bowling, the ball will swing away from the shiny side. So to make the ball swing left to right, the seam points right, the shiny side points left.
KEEP THE SEAM AS UPRIGHT AS POSSIBLE AT DELIVERY
Outswing
With one small change to the grip, simply reverse the instructions for inswing. Point the seam towards first, and keep the shiny side on the right as you look at it. This will make the ball swing right to left in the air. The change in the grip comes from the thumb. Rest the ball on the side of your thumb for this action.
KEEP THE SEAM AS UPRIGHT AS POSSIBLE AT DELIVERY
SPIN GRIPS
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