The next few pages will show you some tips on improving your technique, by practicing these at every opportunity, they will eventually become part of your natural game. Not only will they help you to improve your cricket, they can help prevent injuries. CATCHING HOW TO CATCH - THE RIGHT WAY Cup your hands together with your fingers pointing away from you. Keep your elbows clear of your body. Catch the ball at eye level or above, and draw it in close to you. FINGERS One of the basic principles of catching. For low catches below the chest, the fingers are pointing down when in its cupped position, whereas the fingers should point up for those catches above the chest.
HOW TO CATCH - THE WRONG WAY Avoid catching a ball with your fingers spread out in this way. They can easily get caught under the ball and be injured. The elbows here are too close to the body
THE RIGHT WAY
Remember: Try and be balanced. Watch the ball closely all the way into your hands. Have soft hands and give with the ball. Fingers up, down or to the side depending on the where the ball is. If you are not sure of anything or want help or practice, ask the coaches. Catches win matches. Trust yourself. Trust your hands. Catching is 80% confidence. 10% practice and 10% faith. HAVE FAITH IN YOUR SELF
CLOSE-IN CATCHING When fielding close to the wicket, you should adopt a crouched position and stand on balls of feet. Keep your hands together and your fingers pointing downwards. Position your feet shoulder-width apart or slightly wider and watch the ball into your hands.
THROWING After gathering the ball a fast and accurate throw is needed. Learning to throw correctly not only helps help you achieve this, but also helps prevent injuries. Basic throwing action Keep your elbow above your shoulder and your wrist wider than your elbow. These basic principals will help you build a strong correct throwing action, by using the muscles in your arms and chest, instead of the tendons and ligaments that are used with a bad action. A bad-throwing action can cause long-term injuries. Ask your Coaches for help and practice, they are there to help you with all aspects of throwing.
BATTING GRIP AND STANCE 1. Take CENTRE guard from umpire and mark it clearly on the pitch with chalk. 2. Correct GRIP on bat with the V between thumb and first finger on the top hand should point to the front shoulder, and the V on the bottom hand should point to the back shoulder. Both hands together in the middle of the handle. 3. The FEET should be shoulder width apart either side of, and parallel to the batting crease. With the knees slightly bent and the head and eyes level and still. The player should be relaxed and comfortable. 4. Place BAT behind the back foot (allows for straight back lift), with the handle resting on the thigh and place the toe of the bat on the centre guard mark. Preparing to face the bowler 1. FINE FOCUS on the ball, this will give you a greater period of time to determine and be in position to play your shot. 2. Focus on the ball in the hand of the bowler as he runs in to bowl. As the ball leaves the bowlers hand start your BACK LIFT. The back lift should be towards 1st slip and about stump high. A well balanced stance, notice eyes are level.
FORWARD DEFENCE 1. Watch the ball onto the bat. 2. Keep the head steady and over the bat. 3. Front elbow bent and high, pointing back towards the bowler. Arms and bat form a figure 9 4. Front foot near to the line of the ball, knee slightly bent and weight transferring to the front foot as the body moves forward. 5. The bat is moved towards the ball, close to the front pad, with the blade slightly behind the handle.
BACK FOOT DEFENCE 1. The back foot moves back and across the wicket, the weight resting on the back foot as the shot is played. 2. The bat is kept close to the pad on the back foot, leaving no gap for the ball. 3. The eyes are kept level to the horizontal. 4. The front elbow is kept bent and high. The top is controlling the grip, while the bottom hand, thumb and index finger some support and control. Releasing the grip of the bottom hand enables you to make the ball drop at your feet. Remember:. Coaches are there to help you
Bat Sizing - Bat Length The table below provides a rough guide to the length of bat that most cricketers of a given height will find suits their game. This may vary according to individual preference. *AVERAGE PLAYERS HEIGHT BAT SIZE TOTAL LENGTH 1.3m (4'3") 1.3m-1.37m (4'3"-4'6") 1.37m-1.45m (4'6"-4'9") 1.45-1.50m (4'9"-4'11") 1.50m-1.575m (4'11"-5'2") 1.575m-1.60m (5'2"-5'3") 1.60m-1.68m (5'3"-5'6") 1.68m-1.75m (5'6"-5'9") 1.68m-1.75m (5'6"-5'9") 1.75m (5'9") and above 1.80m (5'11") and above 1.78m (5'10") and above 1.88m (6'2") and above 1.93m (6'4") and above ONE TWO THREE FOUR FIVE SIX HARROW WOMENS STANDARD SUPER SHORT SHORT HANDLE LONG BLADE : SHORT HANDLE LONG BLADE : SS HANDLE STANDARD BLADE : LONG HANDLE LONG BLADE : LONG HANDLE 64.1cm (25 1/4 ") 67.9cm (26 3/4") 72.3cm (28 1/2") 74.9cm (29 1/2") 77.4cm (30 1/2") 80cm (31 1/2") 82.5cm (32 1/2") 83.8cm (33") 83.8cm (33") 85.1cm (33 1/2") 86.4cm (34") 85.1cm (33 1/2") 87.6cm (34 1/2") 88.9cm (35") BLADE LENGTH 43.2cm (17") 46.3cm (18 1/4") 49.5cm (19 1/2") 50.8cm (20") 52cm (20 1/2") 53.3cm (21") 54.6cm (21 1/2") 54.6cm (21 1/2") 55.9cm (22") 55.9cm (22") 57.1cm (22 1/2") 57.1cm (22 1/2") 55.9cm (22") 57.1cm (22 1/2") BLADE WIDTH 8.9cm (3 1/2") 8.9cm (3 1/2") 8.9cm (3 1/2") 10.2cm (4") 10.2cm (4") 10.2cm (4") 10.5cm (4 1/8") 10.8cm (4 1/4") 10.8cm (4 1/4") 10.8cm (4 1/4") 10.8cm (4 1/4") 10.8cm (4 1/4") 10.8cm (4 1/4") 10.8cm (4 1/4")
Bat Care Do's and Don'ts of Cricket Bats DO NOT leave your cricket bat in the hot boot of a car. This is one of the worst things you can do especially in hot summer months when cricket is played. DO NOT take your dismissal out on the cricket bat once you get in the change rooms. DO NOT use your cricket bat against cheap cricket balls. Especially the very hard imported ones. DO NOT expose your cricket bat to excessive moisture or rain. Always dry your bat immediately if it does get wet. DO NOT OVER OIL your cricket bat. Less is best when it comes to oiling. It is just as dangerous to over oil a bat as it is to under oil. DO NOT try to discover the aerodynamic capabilities of your cricket bat after a dismissal. Cricket bats were not designed to fly and throwing your bat is one of the silliest things you can do to it. We have never known a cricket bat to be responsible for a dismissal anyway! DO take care of your cricket bat. DO prepare and Run your cricket bat in correctly. DO oil your cricket bat regularly (a very, very light coating once every few months). DO store the cricket bat in a cool dry location away from excessive heat or moisture. And.. DO go out and make runs with it!
Selecting A Bat If you re serious about your cricket, always select a good quality bat that is the correct weight and length for the player. It can be difficult for young cricketers, being that they grow so quickly. Try not to be tempted into thinking a bigger bat will be ok because he or she will grow into it. For the serious young cricketer, building a sound and proper technique is important, trying to build that technique swinging a bat that is to big and to heavy, is a step in the wrong direction. If a junior cricketer, I should say any cricketer, whether they are serious or just play for fun, experiences the feel and sound of a ball cracking off the middle of a nice piece of willow, their appreciation for the game would be greatly enhanced. From a junior point of view, learning that you can get value for a correctly played stroke and hit the boundary, without trying to belt the cover off the ball. Try not to buy a bat just because it looks good, get the one that feels comfortable and balanced when you hold it. A well-balanced bat with a good middle, is a good start. Factory made bats can be good bats. No two are a like, so try several before choosing, look for one that has the balance and middle you prefer. With bats you generally get what you pay for. If you re really serious about your cricket, you may even want to go a step further and go for a custom hand-made bat, there are a few bat makers around, all will have different profiles and options on their bats.
Bowling The skill of bowling can be a tuff one to master. Your coach can help you with your run-up and action, It s important that your action is correct, a mixed action (when shoulders and hips don t align) can cause injuries, especially for pace bowlers. Practice your grip on the ball and get comfortable with it, below your will see how to grip the ball for different types of deliveries. Pace
Bowling Spin Wrist Spin / Leg Spin
Spin Bowling Off Spin / Finger Spin
Code of conduct Players Always play by the rules and in the correct spirit of the game. Never argue with an umpire. If you disagree, have your captain, coach or team manager approach the umpire during a break or after the game. Control your temper. Verbal abuse of umpires and sledging other players is not permitted at any time. Be a good sport. Applaud all good efforts whether they are made by your team or the opposition. Treat all players in the game as you would like to be treated. Play for your own enjoyment and benefit, not just to please parents and coaches. Coaches / Captains / Team Managers Remember that young people participate for pleasure and winning is only part of the fun. Never ridicule or yell at a younger player for making a mistake or not winning. Be reasonable in your demands on players time, energy and enthusiasm. Always operate within the rules and the spirit of the game and teach your players to do the same. Ensure that the time players spend with you is a positive experience. All young people are deserving of equal attention and opportunities. Avoid overplaying the talented players, the average need and deserve equal time. Display control, respect and professionalism to all involved at the game. This includes opponents, coaches, umpires, parents and spectators. Encourage your players to do the same. Obtain appropriate qualifications and keep up to date with the latest practices, including Level 1 accreditation. Respect the rights, dignity and worth of every young person regardless of gender, cultural background or religion.
Players/Parents Parents, please don t be shy about wanting to get involved, we value your involvement and support. You can support the kids at their games, you may like to go a step further and get involved in the game, by scoring. (a great way to see exactly how the game unfolds). Another great way to support the kids, is to come to the junior match reports at the club. The family can get a great cheap meal, hear all about the games and still be home early, or stay a while, either way the kids and the Club appreciate your support. Remember coaches and committee members are there to help you, if you have any issues at all please speak to the appropriate person, they will be more than happy to help you. Junior Development Marty Kelly 0413 931 624 Peter Welsh 0488 010 922 President Shaun Petrie 0438 632 482 Vice President Andy Ligt 0402 392 656 Junior Vice President Clinton Scott 0417 547 691 Milo-have-a-go coordinator Hayley Baker 0417 530 928 Senior Coach Trevor Johnston 0412 760 038 Ass Coach Te ahu Davis 0405 816 624
Name: Age: Level Playing U/ Previous Levels Played BATTING: LH RH BOWLING: LH RH Fast Wicket Keeper: Yes Medium No Leg spin Off spin Nick Name: Highest Score Best Bowling: Favorite Sport: Have you played Rep Cricket? Favorite Music Favorite Movie Hobbies Favorite Sports Person: Favorite Team: What do you like most about cricket? Favorite Sporting Moment: What s your prediction for your season? Runs Wkts Cricketing Ambitions:
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