Improving your cricket batting with Movement Lesson

ByMovement

Improving your cricket batting with Movement Lesson

This post continues a theme of building on some great analysis observed during Sky Sports’ excellent coverage of England Cricket this summer, whilst outlining how Movement Lesson can help a batting performance. Earlier this summer Nasser Hussain identified potential flaws in Jos Buttler’s batting stance. One of the most talented cricketers in the world, Buttler’s position in the test team was coming into question and it was considered a pivotal summer for his test career. 

A batting expert’s observations 

In his detailed analysis Hussain focussed on Buttler’s feet, pointing towards extra cover. As a result, Buttler lost control of his head, which leant the same way, causing him to lose balance. This can be seen below in the picture on the left. 

As a comparison to this Hussain showed Ian Bell in his prime playing a similar stroke. Here Bell’s feet open up and point to mid-off. Consequently, Bell’s head points toward mid-off and he is balanced. However, there were further areas in Buttler’s technique that Movement Lesson sessions could help struggling batsmen with, without needing to make wholesale or deliberate changes to their natural technique.

Improve Your Batting through your Pelvic Strike

Looking at those two freeze frames again there is a clear distinction in each player’s pelvic strike. Jos Buttler is highlighted with a rounded pelvis; as a result he is falling down and off balance. It is unsurprising that he lacks control of the shot and gets out. In contrast, Bell’s pelvic strike is clear, pushing his hips forward, keeping his centre of gravity over his feet, which maintains his balance. This allows Bell to keep control of the shot, with his follow through exaggerating his forward momentum. The strike and rotation of the hips enables power to be applied to the shot in a controlled manner. This increases the chance of hitting the ball into gaps in the field.

In contrast, not having an effective pelvic strike results in more reliance on the arms and shoulders. Although utilising arms independently can result in short term success, there will be an increased risk of getting out. Furthermore, more strain is placed on the arms, which increases the risk of injury.

A distinctive pelvic strike also plays a key role with vision. An effective pelvic strike moves up through the spine. Consequently, you are able to track the ball better into contact and maintain eyesight of the ball following contact too. This will improve hand-eye coordination and play a key role in a controlled shot. 

2020 Buttler’s Summer

Thankfully, 2020 turned out to be a defining summer for Jos Buttler. As well as playing a key role in the test team with match winning contributions versus Pakistan in the first test and a second international century in the third. He then followed the test series conclusion by batting through the innings in a superb batting display to beat Australia in the second T20i. Noteworthy is Buttler’s rediscovered pelvic strike. As you can see from each of the freeze frames below there is a distinctive pelvic strike. Buttler’s momentum is forward. He is balanced with his eyes still locked on the ball following contact. 

Improving Your pelvic strike through Movement Lesson 

The emphasis in Movement Lesson sessions is all about creating and enhancing functional movement. This can be performed in lying and seated positions, before progression to complete sessions in a standing position whilst the batsmen perform different shots. 

Initially, weight transfer techniques can be used that improve rotation in the hips. Rotation will be used to improve effectiveness of the pelvic strike with counter-balance of the hips encouraged. Working up through the spine this will lead to increased rotation, consequently integrating hips, back and shoulders. 

For details of a free Movement Lesson on how to help improve your pelvic strike please add your email details here. 

Whether you are performing a cover drive, a cut, a hook, a flick off the pads or an on-drive, an effective pelvic strike will be present for it to be a controlled shot. Increasing your chance of success and improving performance.