Last year's analysis of the forward defensive has clearly helped promote better batting technique throughout the club. Now we turn to fielding with some advice on the 'long barrier': the best means for stopping a ball travelling fast towards you or fielding on a bumpy outfield. The basics of the long barrier are:
STEP ONE
Approach the ball at speed and as you get into line with the ball, twist your upper body, leading with the shoulder furthest from the ball.
STEP TWO
Bend both knees, so that the knee of the leg nearest to the ball touches the ground, but it is also next to the back of the heel of the other leg.
STEP THREE
With fingers down and head forward, pick up the ball and then stand back up ready to deliver an overarm throw.
The need for a secure long barrier was illustrated on Saturday at Arboretum. This picture (which illustrates Steps 1 and 2) recreates the scene when a product of Smudger's loins (as KF would describe him) went to field a ball struck in his direction on the midwicket boundary.
Did he:
a. pick it up securely in the prescribed manner and fire it in over the bails?
b. pick it up securely in the prescribed manner and limply push it in 'shot put' style in the general direction of the square?
c. allow it to roll gently through a minuscule gap in his legs and over the boundary; before blaming his captain/ twin brother for 'failing to listen to him'?
.........And yes, before anyone else mentions it, cje did indeed do something rather similar in the Parks Trophy match vs Standard Life. In his defence, the outfield was very uneven-and at least he didn't try and blame someone else.
b. pick it up securely in the prescribed manner and limply push it in 'shot put' style in the general direction of the square?
c. allow it to roll gently through a minuscule gap in his legs and over the boundary; before blaming his captain/ twin brother for 'failing to listen to him'?
.........And yes, before anyone else mentions it, cje did indeed do something rather similar in the Parks Trophy match vs Standard Life. In his defence, the outfield was very uneven-and at least he didn't try and blame someone else.
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Very funny!
ReplyDeleteOption A never happens anyway!... although you shouldn't put things in 'inverted comas' if they were never actually said and therefore technically option C is inaccurate too.
Ideally you'd have a 4th picture with me with my eyes closed disbelieving at what has just happened and a 5th picture of me turning round to retrieve the ball....
Clearly last years forward defensive review has helped (not bowled since preseason, definite progress) so hopefully this well help. Perhaps next time we can go over catching techniques since there are a few that might not be found in the MCC coaching manual; most notably Prof's primary school rounders 'crocodile' technique and you're very own one handed specials (I, of course have never dropped a catch apart from Accies (2), Fauldhouse and Heriots last year, Freuchie in 2007 etc etc).
Thought I might give some less textbooky and more practical advice.
ReplyDelete1) Get in line with the ball as early as possible.
2) Turn your face away from the ball to protect your heartbreakingly good looks and tentatively place one hand strategically over the most valuable piece of your equipment.
3) Take the hit, preferably on the point of a bone, though you don't need to try to make this happen, the Law of Sods will ensure the thud. Occasionally if you can get half a finger in the way too for that sought after swelling. Dougie is quite brilliant at this. An extra bonus is if you contrive to replenish the pain from a previous injury.
4) Do at least one, preferably two comedy 360's as you try to locate in which direction the ball ricocheted.
5) And most importantly of all, even if your whole team is shouting 'easy' or 'hold it' because the batsmen aren't running, it is imperative you hurl the ball as hard as possible back to nobody in particular about half way down the wicket.