Difference between revisions of "Bowl an Outswinger in Cricket"
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== Steps == | == Steps == | ||
===Preparing the Ball=== | ===Preparing the Ball=== | ||
| − | #Select a relatively young ball. Aerodynamics play a crucial role in swing bowls, and the longer a ball has been in use, the more its surface changes over time. Balls that have been in use for 20 years or more tend to effect a “reverse swing,” which means that the technique used to pitch a natural outswinger may result in an inswinger instead.<ref>http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/cricket/england/4155734.stm</ref> | + | #Select a relatively young ball. Aerodynamics play a crucial role in swing bowls, and the longer a ball has been in use, the more its surface changes over time. Balls that have been in use for 20 years or more tend to effect a “reverse swing,” which means that the technique used to pitch a natural outswinger may result in an inswinger instead.<ref name="rf1">http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/cricket/england/4155734.stm</ref> |
| − | #Choose one side of the ball to polish. The primary seam of a cricket ball runs along the ball’s center, creating two halves. Polishing one half will decrease air resistance on that side, causing the ball to swing in the direction of its other, rougher side when thrown.<ref>http://www.topendsports.com/sport/cricket/technique-swing.htm</ref> | + | #Choose one side of the ball to polish. The primary seam of a cricket ball runs along the ball’s center, creating two halves. Polishing one half will decrease air resistance on that side, causing the ball to swing in the direction of its other, rougher side when thrown.<ref name="rf2">http://www.topendsports.com/sport/cricket/technique-swing.htm</ref> |
| − | #Apply spit or sweat to the polished side. Rub it in with your trousers. Repeat frequently throughout the game, in between each delivery.<ref>http://cricketsecrets.com/2010/10/successful-swing-bowling-tips/</ref> | + | #Apply spit or sweat to the polished side. Rub it in with your trousers. Repeat frequently throughout the game, in between each delivery.<ref name="rf3">http://cricketsecrets.com/2010/10/successful-swing-bowling-tips/</ref> |
| − | #Inform your teammates as to which side is which to ensure consistency. Encourage them to shine the ball further while it’s in their possession during the match.<ref | + | #Inform your teammates as to which side is which to ensure consistency. Encourage them to shine the ball further while it’s in their possession during the match.<ref name="rf3" /> |
===Gripping the Ball=== | ===Gripping the Ball=== | ||
| − | #Keep the primary seam vertical. Face it forward from your grip.<ref>http://news.bbc.co.uk/sportacademy/hi/sa/cricket/skills/newsid_3230000/3230903.stm</ref> | + | #Keep the primary seam vertical. Face it forward from your grip.<ref name="rf4">http://news.bbc.co.uk/sportacademy/hi/sa/cricket/skills/newsid_3230000/3230903.stm</ref> |
| − | #Hold the ball with the polished side facing the batsman, or their “leg side.” The aim of the out swing is to force the batsman to strike the ball away from his body, on his “off side.” Since the ball will swing in the direction of its rough side, grip the ball with the rough half facing the batsman’s off side.<ref | + | #Hold the ball with the polished side facing the batsman, or their “leg side.” The aim of the out swing is to force the batsman to strike the ball away from his body, on his “off side.” Since the ball will swing in the direction of its rough side, grip the ball with the rough half facing the batsman’s off side.<ref name="rf3" /> |
| − | #Grip the ball with your thumb along the seam on the bottom. Spread your index and middle fingers slightly apart from each other along the seam on top.<ref | + | #Grip the ball with your thumb along the seam on the bottom. Spread your index and middle fingers slightly apart from each other along the seam on top.<ref name="rf4" /> |
| − | #Aim the seam at your first or second slip fielder.<ref | + | #Aim the seam at your first or second slip fielder.<ref name="rf3" /> The ball will swing wherever you aim the seam, so angling the seam away from the batsman, at a 15-20º toward the slips, will send the ball towards them instead of directly at the batsman.<ref name="rf5">http://www.espncricinfo.com/magazine/content/story/258645.html</ref> |
===Running Up to Bowl=== | ===Running Up to Bowl=== | ||
#Allow plenty of distance for your run-up. More distance will allow you to build momentum for a powerful delivery. | #Allow plenty of distance for your run-up. More distance will allow you to build momentum for a powerful delivery. | ||
| − | #Face your target. Your body’s momentum will instinctively follow the direction in which your head is aimed. Hold your head steady with your eyes fixed on your target.<ref>http://www.topendsports.com/sport/cricket/technique-bowling.htm</ref> | + | #Face your target. Your body’s momentum will instinctively follow the direction in which your head is aimed. Hold your head steady with your eyes fixed on your target.<ref name="rf6">http://www.topendsports.com/sport/cricket/technique-bowling.htm</ref> |
| − | #Balance your run. Speed alone can deliver a powerful bowl, but a steady rhythm helps, too.<ref>http://www.coachingcricketexcellence.co.uk/cricket-coaching-advice/questions-and-answers/cricketing-problem-answers.shtml</ref> Keep your speed consistent and your motions fluid, balanced, and relaxed.<ref | + | #Balance your run. Speed alone can deliver a powerful bowl, but a steady rhythm helps, too.<ref name="rf7">http://www.coachingcricketexcellence.co.uk/cricket-coaching-advice/questions-and-answers/cricketing-problem-answers.shtml</ref> Keep your speed consistent and your motions fluid, balanced, and relaxed.<ref name="rf6" /> |
| − | #Increase your strides as you near the batsman.<ref | + | #Increase your strides as you near the batsman.<ref name="rf6" /> Angle slightly toward their leg side as you approach the stump.<ref name="rf3" /> |
===Bowling the Ball=== | ===Bowling the Ball=== | ||
| − | #Bowl close to the stump.<ref | + | #Bowl close to the stump.<ref name="rf3" /> Once thrown, the ball should ideally begin to swing late in its delivery.<ref name="rf8">http://www.alloutcricket.com/cricket/performance/swing-bowling-masterclass-matthew-hoggard</ref> Decrease the distance between yourself and the batsman before you bowl to ensure that the ball doesn’t swing too soon. |
| − | #Tempt the batsman to play the ball. Aim at either the stump itself or very close to it.<ref | + | #Tempt the batsman to play the ball. Aim at either the stump itself or very close to it.<ref name="rf3" /> |
| − | #Focus on your front arm. Keep it high at first. Then, as you bowl, pull it straight down, close to your body. This will keep the front of your body clear for your bowling arm to follow through after the ball’s release.<ref | + | #Focus on your front arm. Keep it high at first. Then, as you bowl, pull it straight down, close to your body. This will keep the front of your body clear for your bowling arm to follow through after the ball’s release.<ref name="rf8" /> |
| − | #Release the ball. Pitch it while your bowling arm is still high. Follow through by bringing your bowling arm down across your body so that your fingers touch your other armpit.<ref | + | #Release the ball. Pitch it while your bowling arm is still high. Follow through by bringing your bowling arm down across your body so that your fingers touch your other armpit.<ref name="rf8" /> |
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== Tips == | == Tips == | ||
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*Remember, pace isn't everything; accuracy is what counts. Pace intimidates the batsman, but it also allows different things to happen to the ball. | *Remember, pace isn't everything; accuracy is what counts. Pace intimidates the batsman, but it also allows different things to happen to the ball. | ||
*With an older ball, the ball will swing into the batsman if you keep the ball in the out-swing position. This is called a reverse swing: a very complex but effective delivery that requires a certain bowling action. | *With an older ball, the ball will swing into the batsman if you keep the ball in the out-swing position. This is called a reverse swing: a very complex but effective delivery that requires a certain bowling action. | ||
| − | *Before attempting the outswinger, practice throwing the ball with your sole focus on keeping the seam vertical once the ball is released. Once you’ve mastered this, practice aiming your out swing by establishing a target at the approximate distance that a batsman would be upon release of the ball; aim the ball so that it swings through the air toward the target.<ref | + | *Before attempting the outswinger, practice throwing the ball with your sole focus on keeping the seam vertical once the ball is released. Once you’ve mastered this, practice aiming your out swing by establishing a target at the approximate distance that a batsman would be upon release of the ball; aim the ball so that it swings through the air toward the target.<ref name="rf3" /> |
| − | *Take the weather into account; conditions that are both hot and dry may reduce a ball’s swing.<ref | + | *Take the weather into account; conditions that are both hot and dry may reduce a ball’s swing.<ref name="rf3" /> |
== Warnings == | == Warnings == | ||
