Bat and Ball Warm-up Drills

Purpose:

These warm-up exercises incorporate visual skills training and should proceed the actual net training session.

1. The players bounce a ball on the bat, first running forward and then sideways; as a variation, a coach can get the players to run backwards as well.

2. Players bounce a ball on the bat, first running between cones and then alternately forward and sideways.

3. Players bounce a ball on the bat while running forward, sideways and backwards, depending on the signal given by the coach.

Eye-hand Co-ordination Drills

Purpose:

The following drills can be used to improve the eye-hand coordination, peripheral vision and reaction of the players.

1. Two players stand opposite each other; each has a ball in his right hand and simultaneously throws to his partner’s left hand. The players try to keep the ball moving as fast as possible for about two minutes. As a variation, they can throw the ball criss-cross, from right hand to right hand.

2. A player starts with a ball in each hand. He throws both balls simultaneously for his partner to catch. This exercise can be done individually by throwing two balls simultaneously against a wall and catching them on the rebound.

3. A player plays ‘wall tennis’ using a cricket stump.

(video)

4. The player lobs a ‘reaction’ ball against a wall and tries to make as many catches as possible in 60 seconds.

Eye-foot Co-ordination Drills

Purpose:

The following drills can be used for the improvement of moving the feet quickly to visual stimulation. Two different-coloured cones are placed in front of a player. His partner flashes a coloured ball and the player must react as quickly as possible and touch the corresponding coloured cone with his left foot.

Agility Drills

Purpose:

These drills can help to train the overall agility of a player; it will improve his ability to change direction suddenly or turn quickly as well as to run faster and in short, sharp movements.

1. A group of players form a wide circle around a catcher inside the circle and then attempt to throw balls just out of the reach of the catcher who must either dive or jump for the catch.

2. A catcher stands in front of his partner who has several balls on the ground. The partner throws the balls rapidly for the catcher to react as quickly as possible.

Speed Training Drills

Purpose:

Warm-up exercises incorporating speed training and acceleration can improve aspects like running between wickets, chasing the ball in the outfield, running to take a high catch or to stop a boundary.

1. Players first sprint with short steps over the top of cones and then continue sprinting to a marker 20 metres from the last cone. They then run sideways to another marker before completing the circuit by sprinting.

2. A player starts at a marker and then sprints diagonally to a cone to pick up a ball; he then runs sideways to place the ball on another cone. He continues in this way until he has picked up and placed all the balls. He then completes the circuit by sprinting back to the first marker.

3. ‘The Snake’: An even number of players form two rows standing opposite one another. A player at the front of one row starts with a designated number of balls. He throws the balls to the player immediately opposite him and once he has thrown all the balls he sprints behind the players in his row to the end of the line. The players continue in this way until a designated distance has been covered. If a player drops a ball it is returned to the first man in the line to start again.

4. A player sprints over cones and then runs to field and throw a ball rolled out by the coach. He then runs back to his starting point. Ideally between 4 and 6 players should take part in this exercise.

Balance Drills

Purpose:

Balance is one of the most important factors in cricket. These are a few exercises which can be used to improve an individual’s balance and contribute to greater efficiency of skill execution.

1. Balls are placed on alternate cones that have been placed in a straight line. The player bends to pick the ball up off the first cone and then jumps over the cone before bending down to place the ball on the second cone. He then jumps over the second cone to pick up the next ball and continues until he has picked up and replaced all the balls.

2. As in the previous drill, but now the cones are placed at an angle.

3. The player kneels on a balance ball while his partner throws a ball for him to catch, varying the height and angle of the catch.

Reaction Drills

1. A player again sits on a ‘Swiss Ball’. His partner throws a series of tennis balls under-arm, aiming to hit him on the head. He must avoid the ball while maintaining his balance.

2. The player stands facing a wall. His partner throws a reaction ball at different heights for him to catch. He then stands with his back to the wall and turns to catch the ball as he hears it hitting the wall.

3. A player stands in a batting stance position. His partner throws balls at his head for him to take evasive action.

Stability Drills

1. A player stands on one leg. His partner throws soft balls at him from a distance of 10 metres. He must take evasive action while retaining his balance throughout.

2. A player sits on a ‘Swiss Ball’ with a stump in his hands. His partner throws soft balls at him. He must either take evasive action or hit the ball, retaining his balance.

3. A player stands on one leg with a stump in his hands. His partner throws soft balls at him. He must either take evasive action or hit the ball, retaining his balance.

Basic catching Drills

1. Balls are thrown to a keeper to catch, first with two hands and then alternately with the right and left hand.

2. Balls are hit hard at a keeper to catch with two hands.

3. Balls are hit hard at a keeper to catch one-handed.

Standing Back Drills

1. A thrower throws balls to a batsman who nicks the ball to a keeper standing back.

2. A thrower throws balls for a keeper to catch as he moves down the leg-side.

3. A thrower throws balls wide down the leg-side for a keeper to catch by running and diving down the leg-side.

Standing up Drills

1. A keeper stands up to the wicket in his normal stance position. His partner throws balls for him to take on
the off- and on-side.

2. A keeper stands up to the wicket with a batsman in front of him. A thrower throws balls to both sides of the wicket, outside the off-stump and down the leg side. The batsman plays at and misses the ball, trying to obscure the ‘keeper as he does so.

Slip catching Drills

Purpose:

To train the technique for slip catching.

1. Slip fielders stand a few metres behind a kneeling batter. A thrower throws balls under-arm for the batter to guide to the fielders.

2. Slip fielders stand at a safe catching distance behind a batter; a thrower kneels or stands and throws balls firmly for the batter to guide to the slip cordon.

Attacking fielding Drills

Purpose:

These drills are used to train fielders to attack the ball in the infield and to return the ball to the stumps as quickly as possible.

1. A ball is rolled out for a fielder to attack, steady and balance himself and throw over-arm at a single stump.

2. A player sprints over cones and then runs to field and throw a ball rolled out by the coach. He then runs back to his starting point. Ideally between 4 and 6 players should take part in this exercise.

3. A ball is rolled out for a player to run onto and dive. He must recover as quickly as possible and throw at a stump.

Hold  the ball comfortably across the seam with the thumb underneath the ball. The back foot is at right angles to the intended direction of the throw.

A long stride establishes a firm base. The elbow of the front arm is aligned with the target as the throwing hand is drawn back smoothly with the thumb turned down and towards the body. The thumb turns upwards at the apex of the back- swing with the wrist cocked.

The hips and shoulders begin to rotate while the front arm is pulled in and the upper body uncoils. The ball should be thrown from a low body position with a bent front knee.

As the chest faces the target the throwing arm strikes. The trailing leg must not pull through until after the ball is released.

The upper body completes a hundred and eighty degree turn as the non throwing arm drives through and is thrown out behind. The throwing arm follows through across the body. The back leg drives through and around.

Technique Drills

Accuracy Drills

Purpose:

To train players to master accuracy in throwing over-arm.

1. A fielder walks in to pick up a ball and throw over-arm at a target.

2. A single stump is placed in the ground. A number of balls are placed 5 metres from a marker. A fielder runs from the marker to pick up any ball and throw at the stump. After each throw he returns to the marker and runs to pick up and throw the next ball.

(video)

3. Two stumps are placed in cones of different colors. A number of balls with the same colours as the markers are placed 5 metres from a marker. A fielder runs from the marker to pick up a ball and throw at the stump with the corresponding colour.

As the ball is struck, the fielder is perfectly balanced in a low, crouched position with the weight on the balls of the feet, the head still and eyes level.

After assessing the line of the ball, the fielder moves at speed inside the line of the ball.

The fielder picks up the ball outside the corresponding foot, with the fingers pointing down and the non-throwing foot trailing behind. The head is kept steady while watching the ball into the hand.

The fielder maintains a low body position throughout and moves his head up to sight the target. The throwing arm completes the back-swing and commences the down-swing before the throwing hand, arm and body follow through in the direction of the target.

The eyes remain fixed on the target throughout.

Stationary Ball Drills

Purpose:

To train players in the correct basic technique for the pick-up and under-arm throw.

1. Place a ball on top of a cone or on the ground. A fielder crouches with his throwing side foot next to the ball and then picks it up with his right hand (right-hander). He steps forward with his left foot and under-arms the ball at the base of a stump or against a target marked on a wall (alternate hand and foot for left-handed player).

(video)

2. Place a ball on a cone. A fielder walks 5 metres and bends down to pick the ball up, ensuring that the throwing side foot lands beside the ball. He steps forward with his opposite foot and under-arms the ball at a stump.

(video)

3. Place a ball on a cone. A fielder jogs from 5 metres and bends down to pick the ball up, ensuring that the throwing side foot lands beside the ball before stepping forward with his opposite foot to under-arm the ball at a stump.

(video)

Moving Ball Drills

Purpose:

To train players in the correct basic technique for the pick-up and under-arm throw. The coach starts with 5 balls. He rolls the first ball to a fielder who starts at a marker and jogs 5 metres to field the ball and then throws under-arm at a target before jogging back to the marker.

He continues until all five balls have been fielded and thrown.

Once the fielder has mastered the technique, the distance and speed of the throw can be increased.

(video)

High catching drills

Purpose:

To train the technique for the high catch as well as the more advanced techniques of moving backwards or turning for the catch.

1. Throwers stand at cones placed 10 metres apart. Each thrower takes turns in throwing high catches for the ‘catcher’ to take while running from side to side.

2. A fielder stands next to a hitter facing the direction of the hit. The hitter hits a high ball for the catcher to run onto and catch.

3. A catcher stands next to a hitter with his back to the direction of the hit. The hitter hits a high ball in such a way that the catcher can turn and complete the catch on the run.

Please note the following key aspects in each phase of the leg-spin action.

The grip:

Approach: The basic approach should be along a line taken from middle stump to halfway along the bowling crease.

The Gather: Both hands should be in front of the body and the weight should be moving forward. There is no rock back as in seam or swing bowling.

Back-Foot Landing: The back foot must land parallel to the bowling crease. The hips and shoulders are aligned towards the target.

Delivery Stride: As a rule, the delivery stride should be a little more than shoulder width. The head should lead the shoulders, hips and non-bowling arm directly towards the target.

Front-Foot Landing: The front foot should land firmly on the ball of the foot with the weight well forward and the leg braced. The back and front heels should be aligned and the front toe should be pointing toward fine-leg, to help form a stable base. The front arm should be pushing out hard towards the target.

The Release: The weight should be over a braced front leg with the release position of the bowling hand at approximately 30 degrees to the vertical. The bowling wrist should un-cock (unlock) with the palm of the hand facing the batsman.

Follow-Through: If all the other aspects of the action are correct, the shoulders and hips will drive powerfully through with both arms coming across the body to complete a 180 degree rotation.

Wrist and Finger Drills

Purpose:

Spin is imparted by using the wrist and fingers correctly. This sequence of drills is ideal training in the correct use of the wrist and fingers.

1. Spin the ball in the air from the bowling to the non-bowling hand, using the wrist and fingers. Make sure that the ball is spun upwards in the direction of the body.

2. Spin the ball so that it bounces in front of you. If spun correctly, the ball should spin back towards you.

3. Stand about 15 metres from a net, a wall or a partner in a side-on position with your feet in the delivery stride position. Bowl the ball under-arm, spinning it as hard as possible into the air with a genuine leg-break action. Make sure that the weight is fully transferred onto the front foot at the moment of delivery.

Action Drills

Purpose:

These drills are used to teach the correct basic action for leg-spin bowling.

1. The bowler stands in a side-on position with the feet a comfortable distance apart. Using shoulders, arms and weight transfer, bowl a leg-break over the length of a full pitch. This exercise is excellent for making full use of the front arm and ensuring full body rotation and follow-through.

2. The bowler stands side-on with his front foot raised off the ground. From this position, he pushes forward with his head and shoulder and completes the action as in the video.

3. Walk and bowl.

(video)

4. Two rows of cones are laid as in the video. The bowler must jump forward over the cones and complete his action as in the video.

Swing Bowling

Swing bowlers use their body, wrist and fingers to bowl the ball in such a way that it swings in its flight. Provided the seam remains vertical, the ball will generally swing in the direction that the seam is angled with the shiny side on the outside of the intended curve. The way the ball swings is determined by the angle and presentation of the seam at release.

AWAY-SWING BOWLING: Right-arm away-swing bowlers swing the ball from leg to off, away from the right-handed batsman.

GRIP: The first two fingers are close together and along the seam. The side of the thumb is underneath the ball on the seam.

RELEASE POSITION: The seam is angled towards first slip in a vertical plane.

IN-SWING BOWLING: Right-arm in-swing bowlers swing the ball in from the right-hander’s off-side towards the leg-side.

GRIP: As with the away-swinger, the first two fingers are again close together and along the seam. The flat part of the thumb is underneath the ball on the seam.

RELEASE POSITION: The seam is angled towards leg-slip in a vertical plane.

Away-swing:

In-swing:

Seam and Swing Drills

Purpose:

These drills assist the bowler in learning to keep the seam upright and to deliver the ball with the seam at different angles.

1. Grip a bi-coloured ball with the seam upright and pointing in the direction of the desired swing. Stand about a metre from a brick wall and select a brick about delivery height. Flick the wrist to release the ball from above the head so that it strikes the selected brick. Check the position of the seam making sure that it stays upright. Vary the distance from the wall.

2. Draw a line or place a string from the batsman’s off-stump through to the bowlers end. The bowler must attempt to pitch the ball on either the inside or outside of the string depending on the direction of the swing and then pass the string on the opposite side.

Seam Bowling Accuracy Drills

Purpose:

These drills incorporate target bowling for basic accuracy as well as bowling different variations of line and length.

Place targets at different lengths and directions for both right- and left-hand batsmen. The bowler must hit the target as nominated by himself or his partner.

Purpose:

These drills incorporate target bowling for accuracy as well as bowling over a rope for control and flight.

1. Place targets on different lengths for both right and left-hand batsmen. The bowler must hit the target as nominated by himself or his partner.

2. Place a rope across the top of a net two metres from ground level and 7 metres from the bowling wicket. Draw targets just short of a drivable length and on the correct line for either off-spin or leg-spin as required. The bowler must bowl the ball over the rope and land the ball in the required target.

APPROACH AND BOUND:

The feet follow a normal running pattern. The arms must be close to the body, and the hands above waist height. Jump is off the left foot (right-arm bowlers) or off the right foot (left-arm bowlers).

BACK-FOOT LANDING:

The most important aspect in this phase is alignment; the hips and shoulders should be as close as possible to 90 degrees to the back-foot landing position. The body remains upright, head steady and eyes fixed on the target.

FRONT-FOOT LANDING:

The front leg stabilises and braces in order to support the shoulder rotation. NB! The front foot points down the pitch for both the front-on and semi-front on actions while at landing with the side-on action, it points towards fine-leg.

RELEASE:

Release the ball at the highest point of the delivery arc. The front elbow drives into the front hip and the front arm remains still at release. Ensure that the seam is vertical; keep the head still with the eyes fixed on the target.

FOLLOW THROUGH:

The rotation of the shoulders is completed. The arms follow through across the body; the back leg drives forward; the head remains still and the eyes fixed on the target.

The Drills

Purpose:

These drills are used for teaching the basics of the run-up, the gather, bound, delivery and follow-through phases of the action.

1. The bowler walks between the channel stakes, moving his arms at his side as he does so.

2. The bowler runs between the channel stakes, using his arms in a forward motion and not sideways or across his body.

3. Place three rows of cones behind the bowling crease. The bowler must jump forward off the front foot (left foot for a right-arm bowler and vice versa) over the cones to complete his back-foot landing (proper alignment of hips and shoulders is critical – the hips and shoulders should be at right angles to the back-foot landing!!).

4. The bowler completes his full action, running through the channel stakes in a straight line as he does so.

‘Cricket Drills and Skills’ go hand-in-hand and over the decades, coaches have literally used and developed hundreds and hundreds of drills that have always been regarded as vital for the development of technique and skills in all facets of the game.

The “Essential Cricket Drills” were produced by the CSA Coaching Department and contains over 100 different drills covering all aspects of batting, bowling, fielding and wicket-keeping.

These range from basic beginner drills to drills for highly advanced cricketers, and also include several warm-up exercises and drills for other aspects of the game such as eye-hand and eye-foot coordination, reaction, agility, balance, speed and stability, which are critical as far as mastering the various technical skills are concerned.

So whether you are a beginner coach striving to provide your players with the ‘roots to grow’ or whether you are coaching at a high performance level supplying them with the ‘wings to fly’, these drills should assist you in helping your players master the full range of cricket skills.

Purpose:

The front foot cut drill is ideal for keeping the hips properly aligned and for playing the ball as late as possible.

Batting with a stump assists the batsman with correct body positioning as well as watching the ball.

1. Throw a ball over-arm from 15 metres, wide of off-stump and short of a drivable length. The batsman plays forward as if playing the drive but waits for the ball to be in line with his back foot before playing a full-blooded cut shot.

2. A batsman moves down the pitch, following his partner who drops a ball at regular intervals for the batsman to drive.

3. A batsman attempts to play different shots using a stump.

(video)

Purpose:

Placement of the ball is a crucial part of batting. These drills enable the batter to practice hitting the ball into gaps through correct use of the hands.

1. Two zones, each 5 metres wide, are marked out and a fielder stands in one of the zones. A ball is placed a comfortable step in front of the batter either on the ground or on a low tee. The batter plays a front foot drive through the vacant zone (finds the gap).

2. Two zones, each 5 metres wide, are marked out and a fielder stands in one of the zones. His partner drops a ball for the batter to hit through the vacant zone (finds the gap).

3. Two zones, each 5 metres wide, are marked out and a fielder stands in one of the zones. His partner lobs or throws a ball for the batter to hit through the vacant zone (finds the gap).

Purpose:

Correct judgment of line and length is a vital part of batting. These drills assist batsmen in developing correct judgment.

1. Cones are used to mark zones of different lengths. A thrower throws a soft ball over-arm to land in the different zones. The batsman must play the appropriate shot according to where the ball lands.

2. A fourth stump is placed two stump widths outside the off-stump. A chalk line is drawn from this stump. A thrower throws balls from a distance of 10 metres and the batsman uses this line as a guide as when to play or leave the ball.

(video)

Head, shoulder and back foot move back and towards the line of the ball as the back-swing commences. The front shoulder dips slightly. If the ball is directed at middle stump or leg-side of middle stump, the step and shoulder movement should still be towards middle or middle and off-stump.

The back foot stabilises parallel to the popping crease for balls on or outside off-stump, and points towards cover for balls on the middle stump or leg-side of middle stump. The head should remain slightly in front of the back leg.

As the top of the back-swing is reached, the shoulders begin to rotate vertically, initiating the down-swing (the majority of top batsmen have a slight loop at the top of the back-swing). The front leg is drawn back to a point of balance as the bat accelerates vertically to the point of contact which is made underneath the eyes. The figure 9 shape is retained.

The bat accelerates through the point of contact and stays on line with the shot for as long as possible to a high finish position.

The Drills

Purpose:

These drills are used to train the correct body movement, weight transfer and bat swing in the execution of the vertical bat back-foot shots.

The drills are ideal for teaching beginners and for assisting any player who is having problems with the above.

1. Throw the ball under- and over-arm for a batter to play back to and catch close to his body next to his left thigh. Vary the throw from off- to leg-side.

2. Throw a ball under-arm so that it passes the batter on the full between knee and waist height on the off-side. The batter must play back and drive the ball with the full swing of the bat, hitting through the line of the ball with the weight transferred forward in the direction of the line of the ball.

3. Throw the ball over-arm from about 15 metres so that it pitches short of a length, bouncing between knee and waist height. The batter must play back with his back foot parallel to the crease and his head over the line of the ball. The ball must be hit with the full face of the bat and the weight transferred forward in the direction of the line of the ball.

The basic principles of a front-foot drive apply.

The ball is played slightly earlier while the body weight remains slightly behind the point of contact.

The arms extend fully in the intended direction of the stroke.

The Drills

Purpose:

The lofted drive is an important shot in playing spin bowling. Doing these drills progressively will enable a batsman to master the shot.

1. A batsman starts in his normal stance position. A ball is dropped in front of the batsman who hits a straight, lofted drive as the ball bounces.

2. A ball is lobbed just short of a half-volley from about 10 metres. The batter must play the appropriate lofted drive (off-, on- or straight drive) depending on the direction of the throw.

The head, shoulder and front foot move towards the line of the ball. Adopt a low body position by collapsing the back leg. The front shoulder turns towards the ball with high hands and a back-swing.

Contact is made in line with the front leg at full arms-length, keeping the head over the front knee. The bat should be as close to parallel to the ground as possible with the bat face angled slightly downward to keep the ball down.

The follow-through should be a natural and balanced extension of the stroke, with the head turning to follow the ball after contact.

The Drills

Purpose:

These drills are useful not only in learning to play spin bowling, but also for quick foot movement, balance and eye-feet coordination.

1. A batsman takes up the ready position for the sweep. A partner stands in front of and to the off-side of the batter. He drops the ball from shoulder height for the batsman to sweep as it bounces.

(video)

2. Toss the ball from about 5 metres onto a good length. The batter must step forward and play the sweep correctly. As the batter becomes more adept at the shot, the thrower can vary the line of his throw and the batter must hit the ball through appropriate markers.

(video)

3. Throw the ball over-arm from about 15 metres onto a good length. The batter must step forward and play the sweep correctly. Again, as the batter improves and masters the shot, the thrower can vary the line of his throw and get the batter to try and hit the ball through target cones or markers.

(video)

The head and shoulder move toward the line of the ball and a significant front foot step is taken.

The head and eyes remain steady with smooth foot-work. Usually the back foot passes closely behind the front foot although some batters prefer to slide the back foot up to the front foot.

The front foot must stabilise and the body should be completely still before the down-swing commences.

The shot is completed as in the drive.

The Drills

Purpose:

These drills are useful not only in learning to play spin bowling but also for quick foot movement, balance and eye-feet co-ordination.

1. Draw a line about 3 metres in front of the batting crease. On this line draw three circles, one on the off-side, one straight and one on the on-side and place a ball in each circle. From his normal stance position, the batter moves down the wicket to drive each ball in turn. It is important for the batter to maintain the correct balance, body position and swing of the bat for the drive.

2. Draw a line about 3 metres in front of the batting crease. On this line draw three circles, one on the off-side, one straight and one on the on-side and place a ball in each circle. A batsman takes up his normal stance position and his partner drops the ball from shoulder height into the off-side target. The batsman moves down the wicket to drive the ball. It is important for the batter to maintain the correct balance, body position and swing of the bat for the drive.

3. Draw a line about 3 metres in front of the batting crease. Roll the ball along the length of the pitch. The batter must come down the wicket and drive the ball before it reaches the line.

Head, shoulder and front foot move towards the line of the ball as the back-swing commences. The bat is swung back between the wicket-keeper and second slip.

The front foot stabilises and the body weight is transferred to it through a bent front knee creating a base for the shot (for maximum stability and proper shoulder alignment it is important that the front toe points between mid-off and extra cover for all front-foot drives).

As the top of the back-swing is reached, the shoulders begin to rotate vertically before initiating the down-swing (the majority of top batsmen have a slight loop at the top of the back-swing).

The figure 9 shape is retained as the bat accelerates vertically to the point of contact which is made underneath the eyes.

The bat accelerates through the point of contact and stays on line with the shot for as long as possible to a high finish position.

Body Alignment and Bat Swing Drills for the Drive

Purpose:

These drills are used to train the correct body movement, weight transfer and bat swing in the execution of the front-foot drive.

The drills are ideal for teaching beginners and for assisting any player who is having problems with the above.

1. Lob the ball to the batsman in the stance position. The batter moves forward to catch the ball next to the front knee. Vary the throw from off-side to on-side.

2. The batsman starts in a position at the top of the back-swing. His partner drops the ball from shoulder height on the off-side. The batsman drives the ball on the second bounce.

3. A batsman with a plastic stump or plastic bat takes up his normal stance. Using a complete step and back-swing, he simulates the drive by throwing the stump in the direction of the intended stroke.

(video)

Basic Hitting Drills for the Drive

Purpose:

These drills are used to train the correct body movement, weight transfer and bat swing in the execution of the front-foot drive.

The drills are ideal for teaching beginners and for assisting any player who is having problems with the above.

1. The batsman starts in his normal stance position. His partner drops the ball from shoulder height on the off-side. The batsman drives the ball on the second bounce.

2. A batter takes up his normal stance. His partner stands between 6 to 10 metres away and under-arms a low, bouncing ball towards the batter, who steps forward to play a front-foot drive.

3. A batsman takes up his normal stance position. His partner throws a half-volley from the full length of the pitch for him to play the front-foot drive.

Balance Drills for the Drive

Purpose:

Balance is one of the most important factors in batting. This sequence of drills assists in training proper balance when playing the drive.

The batsman plays a drive to either a dropped or rolling ball lifting his back foot off the ground just prior to making contact with the ball and maintaining perfect balance on his front foot throughout the execution of the shot. This drill can also be done individually by the batsman dropping the ball in front of him.

Bottom-Hand Hitting Drills for the Drive

Purpose:

The bottom hand supplies the power for the drive at the point of contact with the ball. It is vitally important that the hips and shoulders remain correctly aligned and the bottom hand hits through the line of the ball.

1. The batsman takes up his normal stance. His partner drops the ball for him to play a drive using the bottom hand only. It is important to keep the front side stable and the top arm extended throughout the shot. This drill can also be done individually by the batsman dropping the ball in front of him.

2. The batsman takes his normal stance and throws a ball underhand against a wall. He drives the ball on the rebound, using his bottom hand only and keeping his top arm extended.

3. A batter takes up his normal stance. His partner stands 10 metres away and under-arms a low, bouncing ball towards the batter who steps forward to play a front-foot drive, using his bottom hand only.

Head, shoulder and back foot move back and across towards the line of the ball as the back-swing commences.

The back foot stabilises with the toe pointing slightly behind square. The body weight is transferred fully onto the back foot. The shoulders rotate away from the line of the ball.

At the top of the back-swing, the shoulders begin to rotate initiating the down-swing. The bat accelerates towards the point of contact, which should be made under the eyes with the arms fully extended.

At the completion of the stroke, balance should be maintained over the back foot and a full, natural follow through completed.

The Drills

Purpose:

These drills are used to train the correct body movement, weight transfer and bat swing in the execution of the square cut.

The throwing drill is particularly useful in simulating the movement of the body parts in the execution of the shot.

1. The batter takes up his normal stance position with a ball in his right hand and holding his right wrist with his left hand. He steps back into the cut position, swinging his arms back as he does so. He then throws the ball between the markers, fully extending both arms as he does so.

2. The batter steps back and across so that his back foot is about 10cms behind the crease and just outside off-stump. The batter then stands in position at the top of the back-swing with his back knee bent and his weight on the back foot. His partner throws a bouncing ball from about 10 metres, just wide enough for the batsman to play the cut shot.

3. Throw the ball over-arm from about 15 metres, short of a length and wide of off-stump so that it bounces between waist and chest height. The batter plays the cut shot, starting from the normal stance position.

The head, shoulder and back foot move back and across as the back-swing commences.

The front leg moves back and towards the leg-side. The head remains slightly forward of the base with the eyes fixed on the ball and the knees slightly bent.

At the top of the back-swing, the body weight is transferred to the front leg and the shoulders rotate horizontally. The bat accelerates towards the point of contact in front of the body, with the arms fully extended.

At the completion of the stroke, balance should be maintained and a full natural follow through completed.

The Drills

Purpose:

These drills are used to train the correct body movement, weight transfer and bat swing in the execution of the pull shot.

1. The batter stands chest-on to his partner who lobs the ball about waist high. The batsman plays the pull shot as in the video.

2. The ball is lobbed gently on the full to the batter who plays the pull shot from the normal stance position.

3. A partner bounces the ball between waist and chest height to a batter who plays the pull shot from the chest-on position.

4. A partner bounces the ball between waist and chest height to a batter who plays the pull shot from the normal stance position.

Level One (Basic Skills Coach)

The Level I course is designed to enable successful candidates to coach basic cricket skills and to organise an effective practice or training session for junior cricketers. Candidates must be at least 18 years of age and have a sound understanding of the game. Course duration is 18 hours and assessment includes an hour-and-a-half theoretical exam and a practical evaluation.

Level Two (Intermediate Skills Coach)

To register for this course, a candidate must be 21 years of age and have held a revised Level I certificate (post 2005) for at least 12 months. This serves as an entry level for first-class cricketers and a holder of this certificate should be able to coach any school or junior club side with confidence. The course covers all aspects of coaching and various teaching methods, as well as practice organisation and planning.

A 3-week self-study period is followed by a 24-hour course (8 x 3-hour modules) while the overall evaluation consists of a pre-course assignment, two-hour theoretical exam and practical assessment. Candidate-coaches are required to conduct community coaching sessions that form part of their ‘work experience’.

Level Three (Senior Skills Coach)

Whereas all the above-mentioned courses are conducted by the provinces, the Level III & IV programmes are the responsibility of the CSA office.

The affiliates annually nominate experienced and suitably qualified Level II coaches (revised 2005 course) to attend this particular course, while CSA reserves the right to invite or select individuals at its discretion to enable the nominees who have the necessary coaching experience to become competent provincial youth, academy and senior club coaches.

The 5-day, 34-hour course covers the technical/tactical aspects of the game and includes more advanced topics and principles of sport science and medicine. Emphasis is also placed on skill assessment methods to assist the coach with individual technique analysis, error detection and fault correction.

The theoretical assessment consists of a pre- and post-course assignment, a 2-hour written examination and an individual presentation during the course, while the practical evaluation comprises a video analysis section, a one-on-one as well as a group coaching session.

Level Four (High Performance Cricket)

This is the highest cricket coaching qualification currently obtainable in South Africa and is mainly for professional, career coaches working within the national and domestic professional structures. Attendance is by CSA invitation only.

The emphasis and focus is mainly on team and individual game plans, analysing the opposition and different conditions, strategic management, sports law and the use of technology. Successful candidates will be qualified to undertake cricket coaching at its highest possible level.

The course lasts a period of 10 days (2 x 5-day contact sessions) and focuses on coaching styles and man-management skills. In addition to these interactive workshops and group discussions, the professional coaches are required to submit detailed pre- and post-course assignments and write a 3-hour examination, with an emphasis on strategies, tactics and foreign playing conditions.

The Coaches Academy also focuses on the continued development of qualified, certified coaches and places a strong emphasis on improving the ‘soft skills’ of coaches. Quite simply, quality coaches will produce quality cricketers and it is imperative that we constantly improve the standard of coaches and coaching in our country. As a result, a number of training programmes are in place to accelerate the growth of coaches around the country.

Senior Coaches Conference

Professional coaches operating at the top end of the Cricket Pipeline are invited to attend the annual conference in August – National Team Management, Franchise and Semi-Pro Coaches, CSA High Performance and Specialist Skills Coaches as well as Provincial Coaching Managers gather for 4 days to discuss critical issues related to Leadership, and to stay abreast with developments and trends in coaching internationally. Furthermore, it is an ideal opportunity to communicate matters of national interest and ensure a unified approach to strategic objectives.

CSA Coaching Consultants facilitate the conference programme that includes interaction with some of CSA’s commercial partners and event sponsors.

CAP Camps

The Coach Acceleration Programme was introduced in 2009 and was originally aimed at the provincial age-group coaches in charge of the respective squads that participate in the annual national tournaments.

These coaches are invited to the Centre of Excellence once a year to spend a couple of days in the company of senior, experienced coaches and enhance their overall coaching skills. As mentioned elsewhere, these camps focus primarily on the improvement of ‘soft skills’ and creating the kind of environments that will produce self-reliant cricketers who in turn, take responsibility for their own growth and development.

CAP camps have since been extended at regional level to provide similar training opportunities for coaches operating at HUBS/RPC’s, schools and clubs across the country.

Coaching Forums

Coaching forums have become an integral and vital component of the overall coach education programme, as well as the annual provincial coaching calendars, and have the following aims & objectives:

• to provide opportunities for coaches to network and build relationships;
• to develop a standardised approach and shared vision, and ultimately an integrated and unified pipeline;
• to promote interaction with management structures;
• to upskill coaches, build greater capacity, facilitate personal growth and contribute towards continual development.

Each affiliate implements these forums according to their individual needs and specific requirements; some provinces have centralised forums while others that serve vast areas and have greater distances to travel, have established these on a regional basis.

In addition to the provincial forums, similar roundtable discussions are held during the December age-group tournaments for all the junior provincial coaches.

Practical Training Opportunities for Developing Coaches

CSA utilises the various Elite Player Development programmes to assist with the personal growth and development of identified provincial coaches.

The SA U/19, National Academy and other High Performance programmes provide ideal opportunities for regional coaches to work extensively with more senior, experienced professional coaches and expose the younger coaches to international competition. This obviously includes accompanying such representative national teams or squads on overseas tours that in turn introduce them to foreign playing styles and conditions. This similarly applies to the SA Women’s team commitments and events.

Mentors & Master Coaches

CSA has appointed Master Coaches and Coaching Mentors at the semi-professional and provincial age-group levels respectively to guide, mentor and assist coaches in the execution of their roles and their further development.

It is the role of the Master Coaches and Mentors to assess the quality of coaching within these systems and structures, and to make appropriate recommendations in terms of the areas of coach development that may be required.