Playing Against Spin
“Planning, Preparation and Practice lead to Perfection”
Steve Waugh
Do your batsman?
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Back themselves and have a positive state of mind.
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“Guts it out”
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Have a flexible game plan (score based on their
strengths and the teams requirements).
Have an awareness of:
Alternative deliveries.
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Change in action.
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Change in conditions.
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Change in field placing.
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Angle of deliveries.
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Stay one step ahead and remain positive.
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Any stance changes.
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Initial Movements
Visual Cues:
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Change in action/ wrist position/angle.
When do we start the decision process?
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From the bowlers hand.
In the air.
Off the pitch.
By watching the seam.
Observing field changes.
Station 1.
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PLAYING AGAINST SPIN DEFENDING
ON A TURNING PITCH AND LOOKING
FOR THE ONE
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CONTROLLING BAT FACE
SOFT HANDS
PLAY OR LEAVE
RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN BAT AND PAD
STRIDE LENGTH
TRANSFERRING PRESSURE
OCCUPYING CREASE
Station 2.
“ATTACKING’’ ON A TURNING PITCH
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HITTING WITH THE SPIN/AGAINST
CREATING TIME AND ROOM
SELF AWARENESS
TAKING CONTROL
INDIVIDUAL METHODS
LEARNING BY DISCOVERY
PREFERRED SCORING OPTIONS
Station 3.
MANIPULATING THE BALL AROUND THE
CLOCK.
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STRAIGHT LINE
OFF/LEG – EXPAND
USE OF FEET
BODY POSITION RELATIVE TO BALL
SAFE AREAS
Station 4.
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SWEEPING METHODS
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ORTHODOX
FINE
SLOG
REVERSE
SLOG(BACK TO LEG FRONT)
CONTACT WITH FLOOR?
OTHERS
Station 5.
TOP HAND – BOTTOM HAND
HITTING OVER THE TOP
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STRAIGHT LINES
IN AIR
ON FLOOR
BAT SPEED
LEVERS
BREATHING
Station 6.
MENTAL REHEARSAL AGAINST SPIN:
VISUALISATION / YOUR GAME PLAN
 SHADOWING
 BODY POSITION AWARENESS
 BREATHING
 FOCUS
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Most successful players of spin bowlers (i.e. those who score
runs constantly) exhibit the following characteristics:
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Have a strong practice ethic and show a determination to succeed.
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Sell their wickets dearly.
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Confident:- in their own game plan and therefore ability to succeed.
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Concentrate on the right things for extended periods.
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Judge length and play forward/back appropriately according to their own
method (Quick feet).
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Judge lines accurately and have a clear plan for playing/leaving.
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Play with high/soft hands in defense and “control the ball”.
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Generally commit themselves late, but are always positive, in defense and
attack.
Most successful players of spin bowlers (i.e. those who score
runs constantly) exhibit the following characteristics:
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Seek to “seize the initiative” from the bowler by “identifying safe scoring
areas” and attacking them ( may include moving down the pitch sweeping /
reverse sweeping / manipulating the field.
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Generally play “with the spin” unless the ball is right “underneath” them.
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Regard close fielders as an opportunity to score because of gaps created (
only in safe areas).
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Study the bowlers hand and the ball in flight and the overall strategy
(bowler’s game plan).
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Assess conditions quickly and adapt accordingly. (May restrict or expand
the attacking options depending on condition and / or circumstances)
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Never miss an opportunity to score.
PRACTICE DRILLS
The practice drills that you saw were
designed to show how techniques and
“game plans” can be developed in artificial
situations.
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