The Cover Drive: Get your foot across to the pitch of the ball and to stroke the shot, rather than hit it too hard. The kinetic energy of the ball as it speeds towards you only requires a slight change in direction in order to score 4 runs.
Off the Pads through the On-side: Let the ball come to you and then turn your wrists at the last instant.
Backfoot Defence: Decisive footwork, a straight bat and soft hands which allow you to adjust up or down depending on the bounce, and to pull your hands and bat inside the line if you decide late to let the ball go. Stay on line, not follow the ball if it leaves you late.
Forward Defence: Soft hands are important. Keep your bat and pad close together and your head over the ball.
When you play a forward or backward defensive, make sure you pick a delivery that you can get your head and body right behind. If you can't, let it go or play a more suitable shot. When you bring the bat down towards the ball, bring it down very very slightly outside the line of the ball. This means that if the ball swings away, your bat is already in a position to partially make up for this. If it swings too much you can easily tuck the bat right inside the line and if the ball doesn't swing, or swings in, you can move the bat into line and hit the ball very slightly onto the on-side.
This technique was first used by Sir Donald Bradman when he was batting, and it helped him to avoid getting outside edges.
- If you keep getting out by playing silly shots or just getting out cheaply, try practising only 3 or 4 shots (e.g. on/off drives, pull and cut) and get really good at them. Then only play those shots in games.
- Make sure your head and eyes are in line with the ball and remember to keep your backlift below waist height. Give yourself as much room as possible.
- Look to where the gaps are, not to where the fielders are.
- No matter what your last score was, it isn't good enough. You need to challenge yourself to become a better player.
- Keep your feet shoulder width apart and your weight on your toes. Elbow towards the bowler.
- Always keep your eye on the ball when it is bouncing towards you.
- Concentrate on getting your front foot to the pitch of the ball.