Close Catching
This skill is used when the fielder is placed close to the batsman and requires quick reactions to catch the ball.
- Your knees should be bent with your feet roughly shoulder width apart in a relaxed position with your weight evenly distributed so you can react/move quickly towards the ball.
- Your hands should be together with your fingers pointing down and when the ball is caught your hands should give into the body if directly hit at you or give to the side of your body if the ball is left/right of you.
- Keep your head steady with your eyes level and watch the ball at all times.
Deep Catching
This skill is used when fielding usually some distance from the batsman in the outfield or when a batsman hits the ball high into the air and requires good judgement.
- Move quickly and balanced towards the ball.
- Keep your head steady with your eyes level, watching the ball at all times and call your name for the ball to prevent a collision with another player.
- Keep your hands relaxed and ready. The top image here shows the orthodox way of catching, with your fingers pointing down. The bottom image shows the reverse method, with fingers pointing up. What ever suits you.
- Orthodox - your hands should be ready to take the ball at, or just above your eye level.
- Reverse - your hands should be ready to take the ball above your eye level.
- Your hands should give into the body
Long Barrier
This skill is used when the ball has been hit hard and low usually in the outfield when fielding some distance from the batsman and is used to prevent additional runs being scored through a miss-field such as a four.
- Move quickly, balanced and low towards the ball.
- Watch the ball at all times.
- You should form a barrier 90° to the path of the ball.
- You should kneel on your 'non-throwing' knee with it placed next to heel of your 'throwing' foot. Therefore if you throw right-handed then kneel on your left knee.
- Ensure there is no gap between the two for the ball to escape through.
- Ensure your head is over the ball with your fingers pointing down to collect the ball.
- On collecting the ball, rise and form a strong base before attempting to throw to ensure you are balanced for direction and power of your throw.
One Handed Pick-Up & Throw
When fielding close to the wicket you need to be on your toes to prevent quick singles being taken by the batsmen. On occasions you'll have the opportunity to run out the batsmen. All top fielders practise their pick up and throwing techniques as much as their batting or bowling.
(BBC Sport Academy, n.d.)
- Approach the ball quickly in short strides, bending the knees as you meet the ball.
- Pick-up the ball with your throwing hand on the outside of the corresponding foot (i.e. outside the right foot if you throw right-handed).
- As you are about to take the next step the throwing hand swings back, still keeping the head down.
- Release the ball early towards the target, with the palm of the hand following through on a direct path for as long as possible.
(BBC Sport Academy, n.d.)