Cricket: Off drive

Front and Back Foot batting session - Whatever the weather decides to do make sure you're prepared with this indoor or outdoor driving session!

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 aims 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 and each batter gets 6 feeds.

Drill is best done in nets (2 grounds per net in opposite directions).

Encourage players to wear at least batting gloves when doing this practice.

Drill designed to increase power of top hand, and reduce use of bottom hand in strokes. Attacking stroke, played to a full delivery, using a ‘bobble feed’ Relaxed balanced stance, head and eyes level Backswing and step forward Front shoulder dips Base established, front knee bends Comfortable stride, with foot next to ball (on the outside of foot) Shoulders rotate vertically, bat accelerates on contact Bat swings through line of ball and follows through the direction of shot KEY- don’t lean back and try and hit ball too hard- follow all of the above as of the standard straight drive technique.

Each batter gets 6 feeds. Drill is best done in nets where available (2 grounds per net in opposite directions).

Can be done in pairs/ groups of three with 6 tennis balls per group.

The feeder bobble feeds the ball towards the batter who aims to drive the ball through the target cones.

Encourage players to wear at least batting gloves when doing this drill.

Played to a ball short of a length, roughly stump high Relaxed, balanced stance, head still, eyes level Back swing and step back Front Shoulder Dips Base established, weight stays slightly forward Shoulders rotate vertically, front leg drawn back Bat accelerates, follows through straight Ball contact under eyes