Practising in the mirror

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There are a number of things that young cricketers can do to improve their footwork, concentration and eye and hand coordination. These can include:
  • Playing small ball games [eg. table tennis, four square], minor games [eg. knuckle bones, marbles] or movement games [eg. hopscotch, hand bouncing and dribbling, skipping]
  • Practising batting and bowling in front of a long mirror

What do you need?
1 bat, 1 set of stumps, 1 tennis ball or MILO Kiwi cricket ball, a long mirror or a reflecting glass window or door

How do you play?
1. Find a long mirror [or a reflecting glass window or door] where you can see your full reflection

2. Make sure you have plenty of room in all directions, including above you. Be careful not to hit furniture, walls or the ceiling

For Batting:

  • Place a set of stumps behind you and take up your batting stance facing the mirror
  • Check your stance [especially the position of your feet, head and eyes] and grip
  • Play a number of front foot strokes and/or back foot strokes against an imaginary ball while watching your backswing and downswing in the mirror. The bat should go back in line with the off stump. On completing your strokes check your finishing position, especially the position of your head, eyes, hands and feet

For Bowling:

  • Stand side-on, feet shoulder width apart, head towards the batter, hands together with the ball under the chin. Check in the mirror:
    • Your grip
    • The position of your head, eyes, hands, arms, front shoulder, hips and feet.

    From a stationary position
    • From a stationary position bowl an imaginary ball:
    • Watch the movement of your hands and arms
    • Check the finishing position of your hands, arms, shoulders, hips, head and eyes

‘Practice makes perfect!’