BATTING ESSENTIALS
TM
Cricket COACHING SYSTEM
BACK FOOT BACK & ACROSS describes the diagonally backwards movement (towards the off-side) that the back foot makes when playing shorter pitched balls off the back foot.
The BACK FOOT BACK & ACROSS movement is introduced during the development of the Back Defence and is used for playing virtually all shots played off the back foot including the Back Defence, Cut Shot and Pull Shot
COACHING LANGUAGE:
BACK FOOT BACK & ACROSS
Importance of PRACTICE
To ensure a player's longer-term development, practice is necessary so that beginning players make an automatic BACK FOOT BACK & ACROSS movement whenever they see that the ball is pitched short.
By moving towards the off-side, the player gains a feeling for where they are in relation to the off stump, which assists with making decisions as whether to play a shot or to leave the ball.
TRAINING
Beginning players are often uncomfortable with shorter length deliveries aimed at the body and will tend to move away (towards the leg-side) from the line of the ball.
To reduce the players fear of the ball during the early stages of movement development, it may be necessary for coaches to use softer balls. Underarming the ball from the halfway point on the pitch may also be useful.
KEY
One of the keys to moving back and across correctly is to ensure that the back foot remains parallel to the crease line throughout the movement. This will ensure that the hips and shoulders remain side-on to the ball.
As players improve their skills, this side-on position will enable them to deal with faster rising deliveries safely and more effectively.
AVOID
Some players, when moving back to play the ball, will start to turn their body so that they end up ‘front-on’ when playing the ball ...
Playing the ball in a 'front-on' position exposes the chest to faster rising deliveries and is to be avoided!
BACK FOOT BACK & ACROSS discussion
