What is the right time to hit the ball while playing a cricket shot

Cricket batsman playing a square cut shot

Knowing how to hit a cricket ball is not a question of strength but timing. You have to know how to hit the ball at the most appropriate time. To do that, you have to work, and with practice, you will get there. Stay relaxed while focusing on the ball and in position relative to the Wicket. With patience and practice, you will find the right time to hit the ball.

Part 1

Stay focused on the goal.

Be relaxed between the balls. Knowing how to relax between each ball while staying focused is very important to hit the ball at the right time. Do exercises to relax while waiting for the next ball. You can relax your shoulders, inhale and exhale to lower the pressure, for example. Forget the fear of getting yourself out and stay positive by imagining yourself hitting. After each ball hit, rest your bat and stay focused.

Do a routine that allows you to concentrate. Sometimes talking with the referee between the balls can be an excellent way to get rid of the pressure of the game.

Think about something else between the balls and not the batsman who has to face a ball. Know that it is not possible to stay focused for two hours of play.

Part 2

Have your rituals to concentrate. Everyone has their way of concentrating. It is up to you to find your little ritual or mantra that will allow you to concentrate when the time comes. When you stand in front of the counter, you can say to yourself, “Stay focused on the ball!”, this is a pervasive mantra for many batsmen. For other players, also do a little routine to get into position. In small habits to concentrate, some kick the bat, others adjust their clothes. These mantras or small rituals do not need to have any particular meaning; they are just there to help you concentrate.

Your mantra or small ritual will often come from experiences from your youth when you were trying to concentrate.

Part 3

Save time on the field and change your strike speed. Remember, you have to be focused on hitting the ball at the right time. When you set yourself up to hit a ball, don’t think of anything other than focusing on the ball to hit. Ignore previous failures and don’t imagine future failures. Stay focused on the present moment, be calm, relaxed, and well-positioned on the field.

Stand in front of the Wicket.

Cricket batsman playing a cover drive

Be tense on your toes. Moving your weight on the front of your feet with your knees bent will allow you to move very quickly when the time comes. Be careful not to lock your knees, and do not stand with straight legs.

Part 1

Keep your eyes on the ball. Keep your eye out (left for a left-handed batsman and the other way around for a right-handed batsman) like your inner eye on the ball. This will allow you to observe the ball’s movement when it leaves the hand of the pitcher. So your body is alert, ready to act. Your shoulders are aligned, and your legs are in position.

Part 2

Roll up your bat back. To begin, secure your position in front of the counter. This is the first thing to master before thinking about raising your bat like a professional. So it would help if you raised your bat to a height where you can keep your eyes on the ball, knees bent, and the rest of the body ready to hit. Know that a well-controlled posture will allow you to strike the ball more quickly at the right time, which is more important than adopting a professional posture.

Hit the ball

Part 1

Position yourself to receive the ball. Positioning yourself, especially with the front elbow attached to the pitcher, will allow you to strike straight. Your elbows will thus have a pendulum movement that goes up when you hit the ball and not a forward movement.

Part 2

Cricket batsman playing a cover drive

Pay attention to the ball. When the pitcher runs towards you and then throws the ball, always keep your eyes on the ball. By observing the ball, you will be able to estimate the ball’s speed better.

Stay focused on the pitcher of the ball.

Lower the bat gradually. Bring your bat back slowly and pay attention to the coming ball. This way, you can watch the ball arrive longer and not hit it too early. Therefore, you will accelerate the movement at the last moment to hit the ball at best.

Those who bring the bat back quickly and early hit the ball too early and too slowly with an air intake.

Part 3

Position your toes and transfer your weight into the strike. With your knees bent, your weight on the front of your feet, place your toes in the direction you will send the ball. If you want, direct them to the pitcher, as did the players of the golden age of cricket. When hitting the ball, transfer your weight into the bat to give it more power.

Part 4

Unroll your wrists. When the ball comes into contact with the bat, unroll your wrists. This will give the ball an extra boost. It’s not a shot in the legs; you can turn your wrists to the side as hockey players do.

Part 5

Relax your arms. No matter how you hit the ball, keep your arms straight. A hit with folded arms will not allow you to send the ball that may get caught properly.

Part 6

Hit the ball. Most hit balls will go straight to the ground. However, if you want to score six points or run, you will have to send the ball into the air and hope it goes beyond the limits.

Tips

• There is no point in trying to score six points for each ball. You will gradually become too confident and end up getting out.
• Remember to use your feet well against balls that change direction after the bounce, both to defend and to attack. You are more likely to get pulled out by the counter guard because you moved a few centimeters than for a race you did not run.
• Before playing as a batsman, observe the positions and movements of opposing players on the court and look for areas not covered by them. Once you hit the ball unconsciously, you will seek to send the balls into these areas.
• Try to have a little word that triggers a click in you, like “now,” “I’m going to have it,” that will cause you to be very focused just before the pitcher makes his pitch.
• Do not try to hit the ball with all your strength; you may regret it.
• Allow the ball time to bounce before hitting it. You should more easily hit it as well.
• With fastball throwers, you need to orient yourself, then lean forward to transfer your weight into the ball when you hit it.
• Keep your elbow high, and don’t let your shoulder sag.
• Be mindful of your positioning. Keep the same gap between your shoulders and feet.
• For a ball that arrives quickly, you will not need to hit very hard.