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Craig HillCricket Tips #3: Batting stance
June 19th 2006 10:13
A facet of batting which is often neglected, is the stance. Not many people realise that batting stance is one of the most basic and essential techniques in batting - batting doesn't merely involve just standing there at the crease. Where your feet are, how they're positioned, where your centre of gravity is all have an effect on the effectiveness of your strokeplay, and determines your balance at the crease.
What you're looking for:
1. Ensure that you are basically side on to the bowler. This decreases the time you need in order to get your feet in a good position to hit the ball. You might have seen some front-on stances (eg. West Indian batsman Shivnerine Chanderpaul), but if you do notice, the fact that in order to play a 'proper' cricket stroke, they must turn their whole body around 90 degrees before they can initiate the stroke. Hence, this reduces the amount of time available to hit the ball. Standing side on also makes it easier to evade bouncers and reduces the chances of getting hit square in the face if the event ever unfortunately arises.
2. Your feet are shoulder width/a little more that shoulder width apart. This ensures that you are balanced at the crease, as your weight is evenly distributed and you are in a stable position, but at the same time you are able to react without trouble when the ball comes down the pitch.
3. It most circumstances the bat should be places behind the back foot. Some professionals decide to put there in between their feet, but I guess it feels comfortable for them. The reason for placing the bat behind the foot is to prevent the occassion where your bat may become entangled or flick the pad during the backlift which may obviously result in your dismissal - not a fair way to get out.
4. The most important aspect is to ALWAYS watch the ball. By watching the ball before the bowler has let go of the ball enables you to concentrate for a longer period of time on the ball - your brain does not have to suddenly switch on and go 'Oh, I have to look at the ball now because it's flying at me'. Watching the ball early is the key as you can pick the ball up earlier, and perhaps even have the chance to pick a slower ball or if facing a spinner and a top-spinner, etc.
Keeping these aspects in mind will ultimately enhance your strokeplay and really just keep you in balance both biomechanically and mentally before the ball is bowled - so you know that you're ready to hit the thing!
What you're looking for:
1. Ensure that you are basically side on to the bowler. This decreases the time you need in order to get your feet in a good position to hit the ball. You might have seen some front-on stances (eg. West Indian batsman Shivnerine Chanderpaul), but if you do notice, the fact that in order to play a 'proper' cricket stroke, they must turn their whole body around 90 degrees before they can initiate the stroke. Hence, this reduces the amount of time available to hit the ball. Standing side on also makes it easier to evade bouncers and reduces the chances of getting hit square in the face if the event ever unfortunately arises.
2. Your feet are shoulder width/a little more that shoulder width apart. This ensures that you are balanced at the crease, as your weight is evenly distributed and you are in a stable position, but at the same time you are able to react without trouble when the ball comes down the pitch.
3. It most circumstances the bat should be places behind the back foot. Some professionals decide to put there in between their feet, but I guess it feels comfortable for them. The reason for placing the bat behind the foot is to prevent the occassion where your bat may become entangled or flick the pad during the backlift which may obviously result in your dismissal - not a fair way to get out.
4. The most important aspect is to ALWAYS watch the ball. By watching the ball before the bowler has let go of the ball enables you to concentrate for a longer period of time on the ball - your brain does not have to suddenly switch on and go 'Oh, I have to look at the ball now because it's flying at me'. Watching the ball early is the key as you can pick the ball up earlier, and perhaps even have the chance to pick a slower ball or if facing a spinner and a top-spinner, etc.
Keeping these aspects in mind will ultimately enhance your strokeplay and really just keep you in balance both biomechanically and mentally before the ball is bowled - so you know that you're ready to hit the thing!
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