Bowling – The Importance Of The Run Up
July 1, 2009 by Editor
Filed under Bowling Tips
In the bowling section this week I am going to talk about the run-up.
For me as a fast bowler the run-up is a vital part of my game. It helps with rhythm, helps generate pace and, importantly, helps you keep your front foot behind the crease line so as not to bowl no balls.
It is an extremely individual thing and they do vary from person to person. I have the same run-up today as I had when was 14/15 years old.
It is important you find a distance that is comfortable for you, Some people like to run in thirty yards and some half that. Mine is 15 strides from the back crease line (level with the stumps). It is something that, as with most things in cricket, you need to play around with it in the nets. Then once you are happy with it you can take it into a game. Some players use a tape measure so they know the exact distance.
As I mentioned earlier, your run-up helps with rhythm. The rhythm of your run-up is important because it affects what happens when you get to the crease and then, ultimately, affects the ball that you bowl. This also needs to be worked on in the nets.
You should try and run as smooth as you possibly can. This means don’t try and run too fast or too slow. Everyone has their optimum speed. You should also gradually increase the speed you run as you approach the crease, again not too much, just a gentle acceleration.
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Hi James,
What would you recommend as a training technique for someone to work on their run-up as I really do struggle with mine?
One thing you could do is, in practice, just run through without a ball in your hand so that you can try and get some rhythm that way. You need to find your optimum running speed and this is one way of helping that.
I hope this is of some help and good luck
Hi Jimmy, i need tips about bowling fast would you give me some please!
Hi Jimmy
For a long time I have been very susceptible to an early release, resulting in the occasiona accidental full toss and occasionally beamer. I swing the ball a lot either way so if you could give me some tips as to placement and release points that would be great. Also, do you think the ball being mildly slippy affects this?
Good Luck tomorrow – hoping the rain stays off! Work your magic of Cardiff…
Hi Jimmy, I’m 15 and like you, when I deliver the ball, my head is looking at the ground and not the stumps, I don’t know why but that’s just natural for me. However, occassionaly I spray the ball around a bit, bowling too many full tosses, how do you deliver the ball so accurately when not having the orthodox action of looking at the stumps when delivering the ball? Cheers.
Your wrist should be cocked back and stay firm through delivery. Your wrist should naturally flick forward as you release the ball adding pace and helping the ball swing late.
Hope this helps
It’s difficult without seeing you bowl to help. When the ball is outside off stump it often appears to move more than when it’s straighter. Just try not to get frustrated because when you think the ball isn’t moving that much it is probably moving more than you think.
Your head looking at the ground when delivering the ball doesn’t matter. It is important you look at the target for as long as you can. As for spraying the ball around, there is only one cure I have found for this and that is practice. Unfortunately, it takes a lot of hard work and hours practice to become consistent. There is no easy fix.
Where you aim may be affecting the release of the ball, but without seeing you bowl it is hard to say. Making sure you follow through well after you have bowled the ball may also help.