Cricket Coaching

ESSENTIAL SKILL 3

Front Drive

FRONT DRIVE

00:00 / 01:28

FRONT DRIVE –

REAL TIME

FRONT DRIVE –

SLOW MO

The FRONT DRIVE builds on the Front Defence

The FRONT DRIVE builds on the movements and concepts developed in the Front Defence (Essential Skill 2)

FRONT DRIVE

Ball played to

Fuller pitched ball, on off-stump line, bouncing to between ankle and (just below) knee height

FRONT DRIVE

Hitting zone

Contact in line with front pad

FRONT DRIVE

Alignment

Front foot, hip, shoulder and elbow facing direction of shot at impact

ESSENTIAL Concepts

ESSENTIAL CONCEPTS

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

NEW Concepts introduced:

Wrist snap (top hand)
Hands to the ball – hands through the ball

PREVIOUS Concepts introduced:

Balance
Front foot step & turn
Head to foot
Toe to knee bend relationship
Stable base of support
Hitting zone
Timing

COACHING Language

Lift / Step / Wrist snap

Weight through front knee

Hands to the ball – hands through the ball

REFERENCE Modules

Refer to Wrist snap and Hands to the ball – hands through the ball in the Concepts Module for full details

Lesson Plan 2 – Front Drive 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 FRONT DRIVE.

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 8

Weight fully into the front knee towards the ball

Downswing complete with contact being made in the Hitting zone next to the front pad

Left elbow is still high and in control (not tucking into the side)

Top hand is in control – Wrist snap is occurring

Bottom hand pushing through to provide power

Back heel lifting – but NOT rotating

Body well balanced – head supported over feet

Head still – eyes focused on the ball

Frame 9

Contact complete

Top hand Wrist snap complete

Both hands have moved through the ball

Back heel has lifted however hips remain side on

Body balanced with head over stable base

Head still – eyes focused on the ball

Note:

High front elbow position

Vertical Number '9' position – bat and arms

Alignment of front foot, hip, shoulder and elbow

Frame 10

Follow through continues

Top hand in control

Both hands continue through the ball

Weight continues into the front knee towards the ball

Back heel has lifted indicating weight transfer

Body well balanced

Head still – eyes focused on the direction of the shot

Note:

Front elbow high

Front knee bend, high front elbow and hands follow direction of shot

Frame 11

Shot completion

Left elbow high and in control (NOT tucking into the side

Right elbow remains behind the bat

Back heel has lifted – no body (hip or shoulder) rotation

Body well balanced over a stable base

Head still – eyes remain focused on the direction of the ball

Note:

High hands indicating a full follow through and transfer of power in the direction of the shot

SUMMARY

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FRONT DRIVE –

SLOW MO

FRONT DRIVE –

REAL TIME

NEXT: ESSENTIAL SKILL 4

BACK DEFENCE

BATTING ESSENTIALS

TM