Ali Choudhry Cricket Coaching

A CALL FOR CHANGING THE BATTERS MINDSET:
With the changes to the modern game and the introduction of shorter format matches such as IPL T20 and various T10 leagues. I am noticing that the next generation of cricketers are being raised using the same traditional methods. 13-year-old Andrew has been coming to me for coaching for the last few weeks. When initially speaking to young Andrew’s father, I learnt Andrew’s biggest challenge is not applying what he has previously been taught or having the confidence to execute the right shot; he ends up doubting himself. I have learnt from watching and assessing Andrew that he’s previously been taught by junior coaches and team managers to have a defensive mindset and not to give his wicket way! This approach needs changing; as we know, the game has evolved to suit batters more than bowlers. You can become far too defensive by constantly thinking about not giving your wicket way! This quickly leads to missed scoring opportunities or the ability to rotate strike and keep the scoreboard ticking. Andrew has also developed a lack of confidence to go through the shots even when he knows what he should do! I have tried to coach Andrew so that he does not have to worry about giving his wicket away, be confident, and commit to every shot he plays rather than only executing a half shot and giving catching practice when he bats in matches. Junior players must be encouraged to practice playing confidently to develop better decision-making. They need to have a driving-the-ball-first mindset before defending the ball first! How many dot balls did you ever see AB, Jos, Virat, Gayle, etc., play in a T20 match? Some of these guys have incredibly high, impressive strike rates. If you’re going to hit the ball, I say hit it hard with commitment and be content; break the fielder’s hands if he tries to get a hand to it! There is more chance of a dropped catch or miss-field, try scoring a run-a-ball!

IMPORTANCE OF THE NON-BOWLING ARM:
When I ask a lot of players I coach, especially the junior ones how do you control the line and length when bowling? I mostly get answers based around the release point and follow-through. Not many know the non-bowling (lead arm) arm actually determines your line and length. Our joints and muscles are connected throughout our body. If my non-bowling arm is pointing too far to the left during my action my body will tilt to the left pushing my bowling (trail) arm to follow the direction of my body. The longer you hold your non-bowling arm in the action (slower rotation) the fuller the ball will pitch. The quicker you rotate it the shorter the ball will be. I have been coaching this young bowler how to use the non-bowling arm (left arm) who often ends up bowling too full or too short, helping to find an area where they can constantly hit a good spot 3/4 times every over to a right and left handed batter. The greatest of bowlers, are able, to adjust their line and length with accuracy depending on the pitch conditions, movement, batters guard or dexterity. Why is there a hanging sidearm in the net? This to help my bowler remember to follow-through straight down the line and not veer off into the side net after releasing the ball 😉 **Remember the speed of the lead (non-bowling) arm will be different for all bowlers as everyone has a different action, physicality and structure to be able to hit the same length.

THE ELBOW (LASER POINT) DRILL DEMONSTRATION:
A few of you have asked me if you can get a video demonstration of the drill so here it is! The idea is for you to imagen a laser coming out of your lead elbow and you want to aim it down at the ball before moving to play it! This helps you as a player by 1. Transferring your weight to the front foot to help you get more over the ball to play it under your eyeline 2. By pointing your elbow down at the ball it increases your back-lift generating more power and control 3). You’re no longer pushing at the ball with the angle of the bat pointing upward through the shot. Why not give it a go! Thank you to Gurnam for trusting my coaching ;) As coaches always remember to ask the player you are coaching if they’re okay with manual guidance as not everyone is an auditory or visual learner!

The importance of game strategy: As a bowler, you have to remember that just because you have a bowling plan, the batter has his own plan for combatting your bowling. Therefore, your bowling needs to be adaptable to quickly work out a new solution. Chris is a very experienced cricketer in minor counties and, to this day, still plays for the Over 50s. With Chris’s age and reduced reflexes. After a few balls, he quickly noticed that I have a natural inswing action and tend to move the ball back into the right-hander from a 4/5th stump line. To combat this, I saw Chris move right across to try and get on top of the pitch of the ball to eliminate any swing as early as possible after my release. To counter this, I decided on a new strategy to bowl the ball more on a 5/6th stump line, angling the ball into him and forcing him to come across, but this time, I would move the ball back away from him with an outswinger, hoping to find the edge. As a bowler, you must constantly consider the batter’s strategy after every ball you bowl. This is how you stay on top!

Another coaching success story: Manoj has been coming to me for the last 4 weeks to work on his issue of not being able to score consistently in every game and always playing the wrong shot to get out on! He recently scored an unbeaten 46* not out last Saturday 🎉🥳👏 he’s gone from struggling to make contact from throw downs to now batting in his club senior nets with a technique bat! And facing a Pro Sidearm during our sessions… thanks for trusting my coaching Manoj 🙂 had a lit bit of fun towards the end: Challenging him to try and play 6 different shots to 6 balls with a target of 12 runs to win, helping to create a bigger ‘shot selection’ … guess who won? 🫣🤭