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Cricket: straight drive

straight drive DRILLS
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Back foot straight drive

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

Extras

Front Foot Drive Positioning

Set up two cones half way down the wicket, one central and one leg side. Feed from a bobble feed. Batter to hit from the front foot drive set position, knees and feet facing down the wicket, and aiming for one of the two cones. If the shot is an on drive (towards left cone), batter to hold the shape, and take small steps towards the direction of the shot to the cone. If the shot is a straight drive (middle cone), batter to simply hold the shape.

Front foot batting

Game - Front Foot Drive

Set up 3 cones of different colours a third of the way down the wicket.  Bowling machine can be set to vary the line a little. Batsman to face 3 balls and to call the colour out of the cone they are aiming for. Aim of the game to get a shot aimed at each of the 3 colours- 1 point for each correct shot. If they are not successful then back to 0. If player misses swap them out.  If hit the on drive, hold shape all the way to the cone. If a straight drive or off-drive, hold the shape and balance. 

Front foot batting

One handed drive

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.

Extras

The front foot drive

Dip your head and shoulder more than for the off or straight drive and let the ball come through. Open your leading shoulder to point straight/ mid on, so that your hip opens slightly, allowing the bat to swing through. Take a short stride towards the ball, stand tall on the balls of your feet and point the toe of front foot directly up the wicket. Plant foot down the line of leg stump - no wider. Stand tall, get up onto your toes with the weight on your front foot and head forwards, directly above body - eyes level. As the bat swings through the line of the ball, work hard to maintain the following: A dominant top hand, relaxed fingers and thumb bottom hand grip, diamond shape with arms, high hands, hands forward of bat face on impact.

Batting Mechanics

The Straight Drive

Divide the group into groups of 4 and organise as shown in the diagram. Player (1) drives the ball off the tee at the target. If the distance is more than 11 metres players (2) and (3) attempt to stop the ball and return it to player (4) who replaces the tee and ball. Players rotate roles after 5 attempts. If the distance is less than 11 metres players (2) and (3) remain behind the batter and collect rebound from the wall. Equipment: 1 bat, tennis ball and tee per group. 2 marker cones and chalked lines.

Front foot batting

Use of Feet - Straight Drive

Looking to hit ball straight back past bowler Quick feet from the batter are essential when getting to the ball. When advancing down the wicket, batter must aim to keep head as still as possible, and eyes level. Batter needs to be in a still position by the time they make contact, and well balanced.

Front foot batting

Back foot straight drive Extra...

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

General

The Straight Drive Front foot ...

Divide the group into groups of 4 and organise as shown in the diagram. Player (1) drives the ball off the tee at the target. If the distance is more than 11 metres players (2) and (3) attempt to stop the ball and return it to player (4) who replaces the tee and ball. Players rotate roles after 5 attempts. If the distance is less than 11 metres players (2) and (3) remain behind the batter and collect rebound from the wall. Equipment: 1 bat, tennis ball and tee per group. 2 marker cones and chalked lines.

General

Use of Feet - Straight Drive T...

Looking to hit ball straight back past bowler Quick feet from the batter are essential when getting to the ball. When advancing down the wicket, batter must aim to keep head as still as possible, and eyes level. Batter needs to be in a still position by the time they make contact, and well balanced.

General

Use of Feet Lofted Checked Dri...

General

One handed drive Extras - Cric...

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.

General

Cover drive Extras - Cricket D...

This is an attacking stroke, played to a full, wide of off stump delivery. Keep a relaxed, balanced stance, with your head and eyes level. Using your normal backswing, step forward; your leading foot should have a comfortable stride to the pitch of the ball. When playing the stroke the front shoulder dips, front knee bends. Your shoulders rotate vertically, bat moves in an arc (3 o'clock to 9 o'clock) and continues  through the line of the ball in the direction of shot (through the covers - on the on-side).

General

The front foot drive Front foo...

Dip your head and shoulder more than for the off or straight drive and let the ball come through. Open your leading shoulder to point straight/ mid on, so that your hip opens slightly, allowing the bat to swing through. Take a short stride towards the ball, stand tall on the balls of your feet and point the toe of front foot directly up the wicket. Plant foot down the line of leg stump - no wider. Stand tall, get up onto your toes with the weight on your front foot and head forwards, directly above body - eyes level. As the bat swings through the line of the ball, work hard to maintain the following: A dominant top hand, relaxed fingers and thumb bottom hand grip, diamond shape with arms, high hands, hands forward of bat face on impact.

General

Bound Up & Drive Fast and spin...

Bowler begins with take-off foot on the box.Bowler pushes up with take-off foot into the delivery stride towards the crease.The ball is bowled at the stumpst and follows through straight down the wicket.

General

Cut shot Extras - Cricket Dril...

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.

General

Cricket: Front Foot Drive Posi...

Set up two cones half way down the wicket, one central and one leg side.Feed from a bobble feed.Batter to hit from the front foot drive set position, knees and feet facing down the wicket, and aiming for one of the two cones. If the shot is an on drive (towards left cone), batter to hold the shape, and take small steps towards the direction of the shot to the cone. If the shot is a straight drive (middle cone), batter to simply hold the shape.

General

Serve and Drive Front foot bat...

<br />Organisation: Divide the group into groups of 5. Organise the group as shown in the diagram. The server serves the ball overarm from a kneeling position onto target, after batter shouts 'ready'. The target to be bowled at is positioned in line with middle stump 2-3 metres in front of batter. A wicket keeper is placed behind the batter not too close to the batter.<br /><br />Equipment: 1 tennis ball and 1 bat per group. 2 marker cones. Chalk marking.

General

Short Ball Practice Front foot...

Can be done in pairs/ groups of three. One batter and one feeder minimum required, with 6 tennis balls per pair/group. Each batter should be wearing a minimum of helmet and gloves on. This drill is designed to improve player's confidence against the short ball. Feeds should range from heights 1,2 and 3, and each batter should have 10 feeds before swapping over. Feeds are from a close range, under arm feed, without bouncing, from a kneeling position. The batter should be encouraged to learn to defend and/or evade at first, gaining confidence and getting them in a better position than before to attack after.

General

Group coaching for the front f...

Create a V-Shaped area out in front of the batter. Working in groups of 6 players take it in turns to bowl, field and bat. The batsman aims to strike the ball beyond the fielders using a front foot drive. The fielders must prevent the ball from getting past them. Every time the batsman gets the ball beyond the fielders, within the coned are, they score a point.

General

Sample drop feed Techniques - ...

Balls is dropped on a length to batter by feeder Ball is dropped from the batters ‘off-side’ to ensure feeder safety. Ball should be a comfortable distance away from batter, and this is personal preference indicated by batter Ball is dropped from a horizontal position, arm fully stretched out, and batter looks to hit ball on the second half volley

General

On drive Extras - Cricket Dril...

Attacking stroke, played to a full, delivery, usually a middle/middle and leg stump delivery 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 (mid on)

General

Front Foot Drive: Constructing...

Set the bowling machine to delivering from around the wicket, swinging into the batsman.Allow each player to hit 3 balls and rotate. Have the player hitting straight or through mid onCoaches to observe at first before making changes.Batter to hit from the front foot drive set position, knees and feet facing down the wicket.

General

On Drive from Set Position Fro...

Set up two cones half way down the wicket, one central and one leg side. Feed from around the wicket with a bobble feed. Batter to hit from the on drive set position, knees and feet facing down the wicket, and aiming for the two cones.  Back lift over first/second slip, hit a straight line through the ball to the target area. Batter to hold the shape, and take small steps towards the direction of the shot to the cone. 

General

Taking a Straight Ball Wicket ...

Divide the group into pairs.<br>Player A throws the ball, overarm, at the target area. Player B (wicket keeper) completes the catch and returns the ball. 10 attempts then change roles. The coil position may be used if capable.

General

Standing Up - Straight Ball Wi...

Divide the group into pairs. Player A throws ball at target and the wicketkeeper takes the ball (in the correct stance). If players are capable, bowl from the coil position.

General

Wall Bowling Fast and spin bow...

Use a target on a wall, could be a line, crease in the wall or create one with tape.Using a weighted ball in the front arm, replicating bowling action, throw the weighted ball at the target.Elbow and knee in nice straight lines going towards your target.

General

Off Drive Front foot batting -...

General

Playing with spin leg spin 1 E...

DESCRIPTION Can be done in pairs/ groups of three. One batter, a feeder, and a wicket keeper. 4 incrediballs or cricket balls are recommended, as they have a seam to spin ball. 4 good quality feeds eachPlayer feeds from one knee, throwing ball under arm as a leg spinner, with the key being a looped feed. (If players can’t spin it, a slow looped feed is sufficient). Feeder aims to land ball on a full length, on off stump. Batter looks to play ball straight, through zone 1, to be marked out from between the stumps to cover as shown.NB – Left hander’s will still score through same zone, and should ideally be grouped together. PROGRESSION Make target area smaller, if playing to square of wicket, make target straighter.Introduce points scoring system.Bring in Zone 2 (different scoring area for length balls)Change length of feedIntroduce coming down wicket.

General

Drop feed drive Extras - Crick...

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.

General

Football Throws Fast and spin ...

In pairs with a football.Overhead football passes between the pairs, driving through to replicate bowling action.

General

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straight drive SESSIONS
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Front and back - Fielding and Batting

Perfect the front-foot drive. Use the most stylish shot in the game to get on top of the bowler and force their lengths back; PLUS, get your fielders snaffling every ball that is hit at them with this all-round session.
straight drive ANSWERS
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How to play a yorker with front foot drive ?

How to play a yorker with front foot drive ?

Archived User Coach

How to improve your batting timing and concentration?

I want to improve your batting timing and concentration. I want drills.

Archived User Coach

hi, i have proplem faceing fast bowler, and my bat comes slow, my front foot gets there quicker but my bat comes slow. how cn i improve that?

hi, i have proplem faceing fast bowler, and my bat comes slow, my front foot gets there quicker but my bat comes slow. how cn i improve that?

Archived User Coach

How do I stop my batsman frequently getting out caught behind?

One of my top batsman is getting out caught behind very often.What kind of drills do you suggest for him to work with .Is playing away from body is the only reason for this.

Satheesh Pachiappan Coach, United States of America

Batsman more strong on the offside but weaker on legs

What is the best method/drills to make some runs on the onside? Youngster scored back to back tons with 90% on the off side?

Nazim Khan Coach, Pakistan

What shots should I play to spin

Apart from the sweep shot what should I play to spin

Archived User Coach

how to bowl faster with short run up and keys to bowl fast

how can i bowl faster with short runup and what are techniques to bowl faster.

pratyush Coach, India

Back Foot Drive drills

Does anyone have any good drills or game based learning on the back foot drive for 11 year olds?

Tim Jenkins Coach, England

i am playing very well in the ...

i am playing very well in the offside and in onside behind the square but it is really tuf to play in onside in front of the square what can i do?

Archived User Coach

Playing straight shots? | Spor...

I can pull the ball and cut it great, but I struggle to play straight defensive and offensive shots. This is leaving me to go out. Does anyone have any tips on getting the technique right?

Archived User Coach

My son is getting caught out o...

My son is getting caught out on the leading edge when trying to hit through the on side. Any quick fixes???

Archived User Coach

How to stop my U12s using thei...

Ask a question and have it answered by Coaches from around the world and Sportplan's team of Experts.

Archived User Coach

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