Keeping the seam upright
Download and take away: Keeping the seam upright
The seam on a cricket ball is used to grip the ball. For pace bowlers the fingers are placed down the seam so that when the ball is bowled the seam stays upright or vertical as it travels through the air towards the batter. In this way the seam acts as a rudder on the ball helping it to swing in the air, or on bouncing to swerve or move off the pitch in different directions.
What do you need?
1 tennis ball or MILO Kiwi Cricket ball, two marker cones, chalk, a roll of insulation or masking tape per pair
How do you play?
1. Set up two marker cones 5 metres apart with one player behind each cone
2. Player A to grip the ball correctly with the first two fingers on either side of the seam on top of the ball supported by the thumb on the seam underneath the ball, and to throw it overarm to player B concentrating on keeping the seam upright
3. Player B to catch the ball, to comment on the position and stability of the seam and give it a score from 1-5, then to repeat the activity. No score is awarded if the ball wobbles in the air
4. Each player to have 12 throws
5. The player with the most points is the winner
Variations:
- After mastering the above activity try and repeat it by bowling the ball to each other and watching the position of the seam
- Tape one side of a tennis ball with a reasonable amount of masking or insulation tape and bowl or throw the ball with the seam upright and see which way the ball swings. Try and swing it in both directions
‘Grip the ball right to help it’s flight’