Cricket Batting Tips & Techniques For Beginners

Cricket is a game of margins. Each run, each hit, and each defence matters equally. With luck, you can have a good time on the pitch with the bat in your hand in some matches, but with continuous dedication to improve your batting technique, you can have a rewarding career. Therefore, strong fundamentals are a crucial need for you to develop a dependable batsman for your team. And we at ZAP want exactly that, so with our Cricket Batting Tips and Techniques article we are here to help you get set with all your cricket batting basics so that you can dominate the game as a batsman.

Look at the King, Virat Kohli's batting style, every shot he plays is placed perfectly. Precise timing, right hand eye coordination and accurate weight transfer, what he does on the pitch is an art. The art of striking the ball is the most important component of all the variables that go into developing a great batting technique. A good cricket bat can surely help you with a better ping and a smoother backlift, but along with that, you also need to have the right ball vision, timing, flair and weight placement to play a shot successfully. Last but not least, you need to be completely focused at the precise moment when you strike those red leather balls bowled as crimson bullets. 

Here are a few tips to help you develop a strong technique for your robust performances

Preparing to Face the First Ball:

Every batsman feels nervous facing their first delivery, and that's a natural thing. So, it becomes very important for you to know how to play your first ball confidently and continue playing an amazing innings ahead. These tips will help you absorb all the pressure and start your innings with confidence and style.

1. Holding a cricket bat handle properly 

Player holding a cricket bat handle properly


The tighter you hold your bat handle, the more beneficial it is for you. For instance, playing a deep backfoot cover drive requires an ample amount of strength. A tight hold over the handle assists you in generating the force and gives you the right control. Always remember to select the right pair of cricket batting gloves for yourself. The right pair will help you hold a bat for longer periods comfortably and also add extra cushion for protection.

Also Check out the Inner Gloves that provide extra sweat absorption and keep your hands dry and comfortable during long and intense matches. 

If you are a southpaw (left-handed batsman), just keep your left hand in such a way that it directly faces the bowler. Make sure that your right hand is exactly above the other hand. If this simple pattern is followed, then your thumb position will automatically be proper. Alternatively, repeat the process if you are a right-handed batsman. With this, you are all set to smash some match-winning boundaries.
Remember, there is no one perfect way to hold a cricket bat. In fact, even players like Sir Don Bradman and Faf du Plessis have unorthodox grips. Go for the style that suits you the best. But keeping the basics in place is always a plus.

A great grip gives you even greater handle strength. Explore the varieties of ZAP Bat Grips to level up your game and get ready for some classy wristwork.

2. The right cricket batting stance and shape

Batsman displaying the right batting stance at the crease


You can have the batting stance for your game by following the given steps

  • Keep your feet and shoulder-width apart. Bend your body a little and keep your back straight. All of this while directly facing the bowler. 
  • When you are ready, simply point the non-dominant shoulder in the direction of the bowler and keep your eyes on the ball. 
  • Your shoulders should never stoop down and always match the eye level.
  • Maintain a minimum gap between the bat and the pad to prevent getting bowled. Invest in batting pads that are lighter in weight, are more comfortable and allow free flowing footwork.
  • Amidst all of this, have a stable head position. The head being the heaviest part of the body, if it leans in one direction, there's a huge chance that your body leans in that direction too and you end up losing balance.
  • Transfer the weight seamlessly from top to bottom when you are ready for the shot.
  • Last but not the least, remain completely agile while doing this, to leave scope for improvisational shots.

Note: If you are a right-handed batsman, then stand on the right side of the stump, and vice versa.

3. Taking Guard

Cricketer taking a guard while batting

It's vital for you to prepare yourself by taking a guard. It means the position you would like to stand in relation to the stump. This aids in adjusting your stance and fixing the crease position. Or you can simply use guard lines to know where your wicket is.

Go ahead and draw a line from the middle of the wicket to your field. You can use the toe of the bat or the spikey shoes to do this. Ensure that the line is parallel to the middle wicket and your guard is complete.

Note: If you are playing a club-level match or a senior game, then the umpire will help you establish the guard. You can simply ask them to give the correct position of the stumps, and they will assist you in the process.

Batting Tips and Techniques: Play with flair, elegance and confidence:

Once you're set after playing the first few deliveries, it's time for you to carry on and score some big runs for your team. To achieve that, don't forget to......

1. Always keep your eyes on the ball

Cricketer playing a pull and hook shot

The commentators' go-to term is "eyes on the ball." This is due to the fact that it is the most crucial requirement for newbies and novice players. When you are playing on the field, put on a cricket helmet that is cosy, fits you correctly, and doesn't obstruct your field of vision. 

Shot selection is made easier when you keep your eyes on the ball. If the bowler pitches it too low or too high, you can opt for defence. If it lands in your zone, you can play freely and score runs.

A perfect head position is crucial to keeping eyes on the ball. If your forehead droops before playing the cricket shot, then you need to fix it accordingly. A fixed or straight head position will automatically improve your vision and concentration.

2. Footwork

Batsman doing the front foot defence against a spin delivery

Be it Brian Lara or the God, Sachin Tendulkar, the greats of the game had one thing in common. Great Batting Footwork. When the bowlers are in top form and are aided by the pitch, using your footwork becomes an essential cricket skill. You can cut the swing by charging on the pitch or simply resist the spin with a classic front-foot defense.

Great footwork adds real depth to the way you play and improves your scoring opportunities. It can help you all kings of shot, from front foot Straight Drives to backfoot Cut Shots and Pull Shots. Begin practicing front foot defence to develop proper footwork. It will help you understand the motion on the pitch and use your legs efficiently. It will also add to your scoring areas throughout the field.

3. Cricket Shot selection:

Which stroke you play on the field greatly influences how well you day on the pitch is going to be. Assess every delivery bowled by the bowlers, their line, length, bounce, pace and turn carefully before committing to play any shot. Only play the right shot to the right deliveries, perform the right footwork and play while keeping the above batting tips in mind. With the right shot selection and the right technique to play the shot, you can even clear the boundaries of any of the world's largest cricket stadiums

Choose from ZAP's Collection of Premium Willow Series, Kashmir Willow Series and English Willow Cricket Bats and become a future batting legend.

Mistakes you need to avoid:

1. Improper Footwork:

Batting is all about moving the body in reaction to a speeding or turning ball and eventually hitting it. To be successfully able to hit the ball and score runs, one of the most vital factors is your footwork. Improper footwork can lead to a lot of problems for you. Firstly, you’ll have trouble reaching the bounce of the ball. Secondly, you may not be able to maintain balance at all times. Ultimately you’ll not be able to place shots with the ideal accuracy, timing, placement and power. To improve your footwork in cricket, there are various drills and proper warm-up exercises that can be done.

2. Incorrect Shot Selection:

One of the most stupid ways of getting out is playing a wrong shot. You cannot forcefully play a sweep shot where the delivery is not right and is straight in line to the stumps. You'll keep regretting that you could play a thousand better shots than what got you out. So always play every ball on merit, treating each ball as a separate event, with a clear mind and focus. 

3. Lack of Patience and Adaptability:

You need to adapt as a batsman to the situation of the match. It wouldn't be right for you to try to play big shots when there's a collapse happening at the other end. At the same time you have to adapt to the changing required rates in T20s and ODIs and speed up your run scoring rate. Patience and adaptability are key to every batsman's success. 

Frequently asked Questions:

1. How can I improve my batting timing?

Improving your timing will take time, as it takes for everything. So give yourself time to learn and get free with playing different kinds of shots. Visualise playing the perfect stroke in the mind and execute that whenever you step on the pitch. Also watching players play, their backlift, their swing and at what point they strike the ball, all will help you get better with your timing. 

2. What is the best batting stance?

Just as there's no best way to hold the handle of a bat, there's no perfect stance. You just have to keep yourself comfortable when you're facing a delivery. Just don't forget to be in a flexible shape where you can easily counter balls with an optimal balance. 

3. What are the Cricket Batting drills that can help me improve my footwork and shot selection?

To improve your footwork and shot selection, visualisation and batting practice are key. Face spinner and fast bowlers both in the nets and assess where they bowl every ball and what shot should you pay, should you play on the backfoot or on the front foot. Batting drills like the side arm throwdown, ball dropdowns will help you get with your technique. Also, consult your coach at the cricket academy to know more about the minus in your game and turn them into a plus. 

Conclusion

After reading this Cricket Batting Tips and Techniques guide, you now know the key areas to concentrate on when practicing cricket batting skills. The most crucial thing is to always keep in mind to enjoy yourself and have fun while learning. Keeping this in mind, practice makes perfect, so continue putting in the hard work to Dominate the Game!


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