HOME Cricket Answers Cricket COACHING Q&A

Afraid of the ball whilst batting

How can you encourage and develop confidence of boys who are scared of the ball?

Cricket CoachCoach

1 answer

ANSWERS

Neville YoungCoach, Australia

Begin using tennis balls. Young players can easily have their confidence shattered by starting out using a hard ball. Get them very confident using a tennis ball and then introduce them to the hard ball. You can try one of the practice balls where a tennis ball is stitched inside a leather case as a transition ball. When you introduce the hard ball make sure you use a junior size ball. It is much easier to hold in a small hand.

JOIN SPORTPLAN FOR FREE

search our library of 350+ cricket drills
create your own professional coaching plans
or access our tried and tested plans

Cricket

LATEST COACHING TRENDS

Cricket Cricket Trends Match Simulation: Game-Based Training

Match Simulation: Game-Based Training

Game-based training and match simulation prepare players for real competition more effectively than isolated drills. Modern coaching integrates pressure scenarios, decision-making, and competitive situations into every training session.

December 2025

Sportplan Coaching

Cricket Cricket Trends Catching Excellence: High Catches and Slip Catching

Catching Excellence: High Catches and Slip Catching

Catches win matches remains cricket's truest saying. From high balls under lights to sharp slip catches, the ability to hold chances consistently separates winning teams from those that let matches slip away.

November 2025

Sportplan Coaching

Cricket Cricket Trends Running Between Wickets: Converting Ones to Twos

Running Between Wickets: Converting Ones to Twos

Elite running between wickets adds significant runs without risk. Quick singles, converted twos, and intelligent strike rotation separate the best batting partnerships from average ones across all formats.

October 2025

Sportplan Coaching

VIEW ALL COACHING TRENDS