Cricket Batting Tips & Techniques For Beginners

Cricket is a game of margins. Each run, each hit, and each defense matter equally. You can have good form for a day with some powerful stroke hitting, but with good batting technique, you can have a rewarding career. Therefore, strong fundamentals became a crucial need in those formative years. It can either make or break your game. 

The art of striking the ball is the most important component of all the variables that go into developing a great batting technique. Even if you get the best cricket and willow kit, you still need to have exceptional ball vision, timing, and weight placement during the entire shot. Last but not least, you need to be completely focused at the precise moment when you strike the ball.

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

1. 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.

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 the bat. In fact, many seasoned players have experimented with shorthand or bottom handholds. You should go for the style that suits you the best. But keeping the basics in place is always a plus for cricket.

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

You can have the right posture 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.
• 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

It's vital for batting preparation to take 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.

4. Always keep your eyes on the ball

The most common phrase said by commentators is “eyes on the ball." This is because it is the most important technique for newcomers and beginners to the game.

Keeping your eyes on the ball helps with rapid shot selection. If the ball has been pitched too low or too high, you can opt for defense. If it lands in your zone, you can play it according to the rules of the game.
A perfect head position is crucial to keeping eyes on the ball. If your forehead droops before playing the shot, then you need to fix it accordingly. A fixed or straight head position will automatically improve your vision of the ball.

5. Footwork

Be it Brian Lara or 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 your batting and improves your scoring opportunities. Begin practicing front foot defense 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.

Conclusion

You now know the key areas to concentrate on when practising 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, practise makes perfect!