Fielding Fundamentals – Tips to Improve Your Skills
It can be make or break for teams.
In tight cricket matches, saving a few precious runs with some quality fielding can be the difference between winning and losing.
Every player on a cricket team will spend significant time fielding, which is why it is essential that individuals work to constantly improve their skills.
Here are some tips to improve your fielding.
1. Get your stance right
Having a good stance is one of the keys to having a good fielding game.
You want to keep your centre of gravity low, allowing you to make quick movements in any direction if the ball comes your way.
This means spreading your feet apart and bending your knees slightly to stay lower, rather than standing up straight.
It is important to have your stance set as the bowler begins their approach so that you can then focus all your attention on tracking the ball from the moment it leaves the bowler’s hand.
2. Know your positions
There are a wide range of fielding positions, each with their own nuances.
Fielding at deep mid-wicket is very different to fielding in one of the slip positions.
Learn all of the different positions and practice playing them so that you feel comfortable in any role.
You can also practice your communication with teammates, which is vital when setting the field.
3. Stay alert
In the field, lapses in concentration can be costly.
When the ball is in play, you have to be ready to catch or chase it.
Closely studying the positioning of batsmen and their shots can also help you anticipate their next move at the crease and potentially assist with your reaction time if the ball comes your way.
4. Practice your catching
Using the correct techniques for each, practice your catching for both low balls and high balls.
You can have a partner throw balls to you at different heights and at different speeds.
You can even practice high catching yourself at an oval or in the park, while throwing a tennis ball against a brick wall can help you practice lower catching and assist in improving your reaction times.
Other activities like juggling can help with your hand-eye coordination, which can in-turn help with your catching.
It is not always about catching the ball off the bat, either.
You may need to catch throws from teammates when you are fielding, providing back-up around the stumps for the bowler or wicketkeeper.
5. Practice your throwing
Getting the ball back to the wicketkeeper or bowler quickly and accurately is vital when the batsmen are running between wickets.
You can practice your throwing to the hands of a partner, from different directions and different distances.
While more challenging, you can also practice your throwing to hit the stumps from different angles and distances.
Practicing this in training can greatly assist in improving your accuracy in match situations.
Want to improve your fielding game?
Whether you need to work on your fielding, batting or bowling, at Cricket For All we can help.
Based in Adelaide, we have an experienced team of nationally-accredited coaches and offer both private coaching sessions and Academy programs for children.
If you want to lift your cricket game, get in touch with us today.
