BOWLING TIPS
1. In elite cricket, bowlers know what they want to make happen during practice and during matches.
2. Set goals for each practice and match, they need to be challenging and achievable.
3. Break your cricket strategy and goals down into achievable, small steps.
An over is six balls, plan your over, how you want to build pressure and when you are going to look to take a wicket during the spell.
Your spell maybe 6 balls in T20 Cricket, 5 overs in a one day game and it could be 4-8overs for a seamer or 15 to 20 overs for a spinner in a declaration game.
Plan your spell, know that you want to build pressure in each over and in your spell.
Pressure brings wickets.
Be patient, take a leaf from the great Glenn McGrath’s book, sit on the batter with patience.
4. Know your role …
Discuss what your role and responsibilities are with your Captain and Coach.
Be clear about it, if you aren’t comfortable with it, accept it as a job you need to do for your team. There will always be another game and an opportunity for a change of role, more to your liking in another game.
5. Elite bowlers get their head and body slightly forward in their run up … your body angle wants to be
leaning toward your target.
Keep your head still when you run in, allow your brain to get a good, still picture of the batter and your target length.
Dale Steyn is wonderful at this, strong and stable in his run up and through his action.
6. Bowl each ball with full intent.
Each ball is an event, it is an opportunity to build pressure and to potentially take a wicket.
7. Manage your energy during your over and during your spell.
Relax and breathe into your belly between balls, quiet your mind and then set a goal for each ball, be clear about the delivery you are going to bowl at the top of your mark,
8. Learn to control your stock ball.
You’re not a bowler unless you can land your stock ball consistently, practice it.
Variation is a variation around your stock ball, it isn’t 6 different balls an over.
9. Keep your bowling hand close to your body as you run in and cock your wrist back a little, Brett Lee as a fast bowler and Shane Warne as a spinner are great examples of this. It keeps the energy of the delivery loaded close to your body and the wrist action gives added whip to the delivery.
10. Tap into your subconscious mind.
Model excellence, ‘pretend’ to be your favourite bowler, copy their action and their strategy.
Visualize and Imagine achieving your goals, see and feel yourself perform as you desire, your brain doesn’t know this is different to real practice and it is just as powerful.
Cricket Tip No.1
Fast Bowling is hard work, spend time on your cricket fitness, get fit and strong for the work ahead (Do your gym and running work).
Cricket Tip No.2
You need to understand and know your bowling action. When your action is repeatable you will be able to control your line and length.
Cricket Tip No.3
Fast bowling needs mental toughness, you need to mentally prepare yourself for the hard work and challenge ahead.
Cricket Tip No.4
Learn to enjoy bowling and spending time in the field. It helps by setting small goals that you can focus on and achieve.
Cricket Tip No.5
Keep it as simple as possible, don’t try too hard. Manage your expectations, don’t put unnecessary pressure on yourself, it allows you to keep your mind quiet and allows your skills to flow naturally.
Cricket Tip No.6
Understand and learn from your bad days, its important to reflect so that you don’t repeat the same mistakes.
Cricket Tip No.7
Always back yourself, what we say to ourselves is important, keep your self talk positive and focused.
Cricket Tip No.8
Be prepared to put the work in at the nets to get your skill 100%
Be specific and always train at a 100%.
Cricket Tip No.9
Look after your body regarding your diet, recovery and over bowling.
Cricket Tip No.10
Have fun every time you step on the field!

Mike Schofield