Cricket: Ducking 2

Drop hands Maintain side on position, achieved by encouraging player to keep shoulders parallel. This keeps batter a smaller target

Keep weight forward even when moving back and across, to maintain balance and control of the shot Played to a ball that is rising, usually too high to play Hands are dropped straight down, away from the path of ball Batter must look to go back and across stumps Batter must keep eye on ball all the way.

Played to a ball that at the body, usually head high Batter flexes knees, and aims to duck underneath path of ball. Maintaining balance is essential. Batter must look to go back and across stumps Maintain side on position, achieved by encouraging player to keep shoulders parallel. This keeps batter a smaller target Keep weight forward even when moving back and across, to maintain balance and control of the shot Batter must keep eye on ball all the way.

Played to a ball short of a length and wide of off stump.

Ball is aimed square of the wicket. Relaxed, balanced stance, head still, eyes level.

Back swing and step back towards off side. Base established, weight stays slightly forward.

Shoulders rotate towards offside, horizontally. Bat accelerates, hitting from high to low.

Ball contact is made level with head, allow for natural follow through.

Can be done in pairs/ groups of three.

Feeder drops ball in front of batter (with arm out horizontally, standing on the off side of the batsman for safety purposes).

Batter steps towards the ball, and aim to drive the ball on the second bounce/half volley, driving the ball on the ground through the target zones.

Each group needs 6 tennis balls. 6 feeds per batter rotate clockwise.

Drill is best done in nets (2 grounds per net in opposite directions) .Encourage players to wear at least batting gloves when doing this drill.