Shane Warne Masterclass

This is the best short video available outlining the basics of legspin bowling. Explanation is clear and easy to understand and the demonstrations are terrific! All the basics are covered - if you want to bowl legspin - or you want to help someone who bowls legspin - watch this video and do what warnie says!

Awesome Action - and Results. Michael Holding 1975

A great clip demonstrating how an efficient and athletic runup can make it easy to transfer your effort into your action and get all your energy going down the wicket and through the batsman! Apart from the magnificent running style (Mikey was a national 400m runner!) watch his delivery stride and the drive through he gets with his right knees and hip as he delivers the ball - right at his target!
Just beautiful - unless you are facing it!
Did I mention the time I scored 56 openning up against Mikey?...? Some other time maybe!...?

New Fast Bowlers Drill - Working on Acceleration in Run Up

Just starting to use this drill with the players who have done enough strength and conditioning work to keep good form throughout the drill.
In the demonstration Stephen is doing 2 reps of each drill, In the actual activity, the athlete should do a set of 6 reps on each drill - ie. Set 1 - Ankling to first cone (10m) then transfer to High Knees to second cone (15m) then around bottom cone, collect ball and transfer onto runup. Gradual acceleration to first cone then acceleration to maximum pace at delivery. Follow through to complete first Rep.
Possible Sets are as follows:

1. Ankling to High Knees
2. Jog to High Knees
3. Jog to Bound
4. Alternate High Knees to High Knees

Each set takes about 70-90 seconds to complete but it is physically challenging so rest for 2-3minutes between sets.

Tip - Always have a target for the bowler to aim at in the delivery so he has a point to run to throughout his runup. Coaches - Encourage your player throughout the drill as it is TOUGH!!
Enjoy!

Leg Spin Bowling Masterclass

Very very good video outlining basic grip for legspinner, topspin and wrongun'!
Jenner is very clear in explanation. Worth a look!

Analysing a Bowling Action for Safety - without video equipment

Tips for coaches who don't have access to video equipment but still need to satisfy the first rule of coaching fast bowlers - MAKE SURE THE ACTION IS SAFE!

Bowling Control Drill

This is a great drill for any bowler as it makes them concentrate on line and gives them immediate feedback about their "radar" That is, the relationship between where they aim and where the ball actually goes.
Remember - there is nothing that says the ball must go where you aim it! If you find that the ball CONSISTENTLY goes 10cms to the right of where you aim... Don't try and bowl differently, just aim 10cms to the left of your intended target! It is often the case that when a bowler goes for a little extra pace ie. his "Effort Ball", he will often spear it down the legside or bowl it too short. By using his radar, he can make the necessary corrections so that he does not waste the effort ball!

Key Points for this drill

1. Head still
2. Front arm and nose as rudder
3. Front arm and leg up and down at the target
4. Finish each delivery with a flick of the wrist
5. Run through the crease
6. Chase your ball down the wicket

Practice makes perfect – but what happens when things are less than perfect?

Most athletes arrive at a coaching session enthusiastic and ready to have a good, strong, focused and intense training session. But as we all know, sometimes our training sessions end up none of those things because nets are double booked; our training partners are running late or can't get there at all; or maybe even the coach is sick!

At these times, we need to realise this is a great opportunity to become stronger mentally! When training plans are going pear shaped, or conditions are less than perfect, take the opportunity to identify this as a time to TRAIN YOUR MIND!

Accept the challenge – realise that conditions are not perfect; understand that this makes training more like a game situation and train accordingly.

Focus harder, play conservatively, tighten up your technique and KEEP TRYING!

Just like training, athletes arrive at games ready to achieve great things, but many fail to perform at their best because "conditions just weren't right for them on the day!" It is the mentally strong athlete who manages to perform on these days and let's face it: conditions are never really perfect for ANYONE!

So what specifically should you be doing to perform when conditions are tough? Here are some ideas – they apply to practices and games.

Batsmen:

· Watch the ball harder! This is the key to success in just about any situation.

· Work at getting a good strong movement to the ball – either back or forward. This allows you to play later and therefore watch the ball longer.

· Play with soft hands – this will often get you out of trouble.

· Be patient! Realise the situation is tough and settle in to occupy the crease rather than dominate the bowling.

· Specifically in games, keep looking for opportunities to “break free”! Bowlers get tired; fielders go to sleep….opportunities are ALWAYS arising!

Bowlers: it’s just a matter of doing all the basic things right so you limit scoring chances!

· In tough situations, your ability to control your stock delivery is terribly important! By definition it should be the ball you can bowl with most confidence and as such, you should do so as often as 20 or more times in a 4 over set.

· Be patientand realize that your natural variations in line and length will always challenge the batsman. You are ALWAYS a chance of getting a wicket!

· Bowl every ball through the batsman to you keeper. If the wicket is not helpful, this will at least make the batsman hurry and give you every opportunity to nip them out.

· Bowl to your field. If you bowl with control, this will limit the batsman’s scoring opportunities and encourage him to take risks.

In general terms – always appear to be positive, confident and interested in contesting the result – of every contest! This is where training yourself to use positive body language, positive talk and positive thinking comes in handy. An individual who is doing this is a force to be reckoned with – imagine what a TEAM doing this would be like to play against!

Always train as you intend to play! Conditions are never perfect so accept this as a given and train accordingly. The benefits will flow!

Most people would be happy to finish their careers and have people say of them:

"He was always good when the going got tough!"

Train yourself to be that player!

JH

Basic Bowling Technique - Coaching Presentation