Drives
1. It is vitally important to get to the pitch of the ball, and keep the head still and in front of the vertical line of the pads.
2. The weight should be shifted forward with the front knee bent a little.
3. The top hand firm, unlike the relaxed grip for a defensive shot.
4. A drive is timed perfectly only if the top hand does most of the work, with the bottom hand used only to support.
5. The bat should follow through in the line of the shot, and accelerate through a straight line.
The different types of drives that can be played off the front-foot are:
a) Off drive:
Played to a ball pitched just around the off stump. The bat should come down in a straight line in the direction of mid-off, to make sure that the ball is propelled toward that direction.
b) Cover drive:
Played to a ball pitched slightly wider outside the off stump. The bat should come down in the direction of extra cover, so as to hit the ball in that area.
c) Square drive:
Played to a ball pitched wider outside the off stump, in the direction square of the wickets.
d) On drive:
One of the most difficult drives to play, which is being eradicated from the modern game gradually, as not many exponents of it are left. Played between mid-on and mid-wicket.
e) Straight drive:
The most eye-catching of all drives, played straight down the ground.
The batsman may choose which drive to play on a particular good length ball, but emphasis definitely lies on getting to the pitch of the ball.
2. The weight should be shifted forward with the front knee bent a little.
3. The top hand firm, unlike the relaxed grip for a defensive shot.
4. A drive is timed perfectly only if the top hand does most of the work, with the bottom hand used only to support.
5. The bat should follow through in the line of the shot, and accelerate through a straight line.
The different types of drives that can be played off the front-foot are:
a) Off drive:
Played to a ball pitched just around the off stump. The bat should come down in a straight line in the direction of mid-off, to make sure that the ball is propelled toward that direction.
b) Cover drive:
Played to a ball pitched slightly wider outside the off stump. The bat should come down in the direction of extra cover, so as to hit the ball in that area.
c) Square drive:
Played to a ball pitched wider outside the off stump, in the direction square of the wickets.
d) On drive:
One of the most difficult drives to play, which is being eradicated from the modern game gradually, as not many exponents of it are left. Played between mid-on and mid-wicket.
e) Straight drive:
The most eye-catching of all drives, played straight down the ground.
The batsman may choose which drive to play on a particular good length ball, but emphasis definitely lies on getting to the pitch of the ball.
Sweep Shot
1. The front-foot should stretch outside the line of the ball and bent, while the back-foot is lowered parallel onto the ground.
2. The head and front shoulder should lean forward towards the ball.
3. The bat should come down from a high back swing, and should counter the ball in front of the pads.
4. If not playing in the air, the wrists should be rolled, so as to keep the ball on the ground.
5. The follow through should finish over the leading shoulder.
2. The head and front shoulder should lean forward towards the ball.
3. The bat should come down from a high back swing, and should counter the ball in front of the pads.
4. If not playing in the air, the wrists should be rolled, so as to keep the ball on the ground.
5. The follow through should finish over the leading shoulder.
Defense
1. The head and front shoulder should shift in the line of the ball, with the front leg coming right up to the pitch of the ball. Failing to do this could easily result into missing the shot altogether, with the ball going in between the bat and pad.
2. The back leg should remain straight.
3. As the ball approaches, bend the front knee, as it will help in getting on top of the ball, and thus reduce the chances of edging.
4. The arms and palms should be kept relaxed too, without trying to force on the ball.
5. The face of the bat, when brought down to make contact with the ball, should be straight.
6. The point of contact between the bat and the ball should be beneath the eyes.
7. The bat should be just in front of the pads, with minimal distance between the in a straight line.
8. The heel of the back-foot should be raised, and the position should be stilled, rather than following through.
2. The back leg should remain straight.
3. As the ball approaches, bend the front knee, as it will help in getting on top of the ball, and thus reduce the chances of edging.
4. The arms and palms should be kept relaxed too, without trying to force on the ball.
5. The face of the bat, when brought down to make contact with the ball, should be straight.
6. The point of contact between the bat and the ball should be beneath the eyes.
7. The bat should be just in front of the pads, with minimal distance between the in a straight line.
8. The heel of the back-foot should be raised, and the position should be stilled, rather than following through.