Cricket Coaching

ESSENTIAL SKILL 4

Back Defence

BACK DEFENCE

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BACK DEFENCE –

REAL TIME

BACK DEFENCE –

SLOW MO

The BACK DEFENCE introduces the back foot back & across footwork

The BACK DEFENCE introduces the Back foot back & across footwork movement pattern, essential for all back foot play.

BACK DEFENCE

Ball played to

Short pitched ball, on or just wide of off-stump, bouncing to around lower chest height

BACK DEFENCE

Hitting zone

Contact in line with front hip

BACK DEFENCE

Alignment

Feet, hips and chest remain side-on at impact

ESSENTIAL Concepts

ESSENTIAL CONCEPTS

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While developing the BACK DEFENCE, players are introduced to several ESSENTIAL CONCEPTS that will shape their further learning.

NEW Concepts introduced:

Back foot back & across

PREVIOUS Concepts introduced:

Balance
Stable base
Hitting zone
Timing

COACHING Language

Back foot back & across

Front toe to shoelaces

Number '9' position

REFERENCE Modules

Refer to Back foot back & across in the Concepts Module for full details

Lesson Plan 4 – Back Defence will show you how to integrate the CONCEPTS into the training

Movement sequence

MOVEMENT Sequence
Frame by Frame

MOVEMENT SEQUENCE

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The series of images below shows the order (or ‘sequence’) in which movements need to be made to successfully play the BACK DEFENCE.

Sequence

Key points

KEY Points
Frame by Frame

KEY POINTS

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Frame 1

Balanced setup position

(refer to Essential Skill 1 Part C – Setup Routine)

Feet

Hands

Head

Frame 7

Weight moving into the back knee

Downswing nearly to ball

Front elbow is still high and in control (NOT tucking into the side)

Front foot moving back (parallel) to the back foot to the toe to shoelaces position

Body well balanced – head supported over feet

Head still – eyes focused on the ball

Hips remain side on (NOT rotating)

Frame 8

Contact about to be made

Hitting zone in line with front hip

Top hand control – high front elbow

Bottom elbow remains behind bat

Body balanced with head over stable base

Head still – eyes focused on the ball

Note:

Front elbow position

Vertical Number '9' position occurring – bat and arms

Feet parallel, hip and shoulder side-on (NOT rotated)

PRO TIP

Ensure the bat face is fully open at contact

Frame 9

The moment just before contact

Weight continues into back foot and knee

Front foot about to be placed (toe to shoelaces)

Feet remain parallel

Body has remained side on

Front elbow high – top hand in control

Body well balanced with head directly above feet

Head still – eyes remain facing direction of shot

PRO TIP

Ensure the bat face is fully open at contact

Back Defence Side On Number 9 Position.jpg

Side on view
Showing all concepts

Back & across position of the back foot can be seen

Front toe to shoelaces position

Vertical Number '9' position of arms and bat clearly visible

High front elbow – back elbow behind bat

Bottom of bat finishes between the pads

Hitting zone (contact point) in line with front hip

Body remains balanced with head over a narrow base

Head still – eyes focused on the ball

SUMMARY

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BACK DEFENCE –

SLOW MO

BACK DEFENCE –

REAL TIME

NEXT: ESSENTIAL SKILL 5

CUT SHOT

BATTING ESSENTIALS

TM