| Club cricket fielding can often be poor. But on many | | | | there is a chance. |
| occasions this is less to do with skill and technique | | | | Back up. |
| and more to do with concentration and awareness. | | | | Leading on from that, always be aware of the need |
| Two factors that any fielder can improve. Here is | | | | to back up a throw, even if you are backing up the |
| how to do it. | | | | backer up. If you are doing it for your team they |
| Don't move. | | | | you can be more confident they will do it for you. |
| Every side has a couple of players who like to | | | | Want to get every ball. |
| wander from where the captain puts them. Make | | | | You can see the club players who don't want the ball |
| sure you are not one of them. When the captain | | | | to come to them. It always seems they are the |
| puts you somewhere make a mark on the ground | | | | ones doing the most chasing. If you want and |
| and stick to it until you are moved again. | | | | expecting every ball the game is more interesting and |
| Show confidence. | | | | you are more likely to take the catch or make the |
| Looking confident in the field can save many runs. | | | | stop. |
| Not everyone is like Paul Collingwood at cover point, | | | | Be close enough. |
| but it's easy to look like you are. My dad, by his own | | | | If you are close catching make sure the ball will carry |
| admission never the finest fielder, often based his | | | | to you. If you are saving one then get as close as |
| entire game on looking dangerous by walking in | | | | you can to stop the quick single. If you are on the |
| aggressively and leaping on defensive pushes as if to | | | | boundary your job is to save fours so stay as deep |
| stop a single that was never considered. | | | | as possible without giving away two runs if you can. |
| Shy at the stumps. | | | | Know yourself. |
| Club players seem terrified of the dreaded | | | | If you have a setback in the field, be aware of how |
| overthrows and often refrain from throwing at the | | | | you will react to it. Some people steel themselves, |
| stumps. In a good side, someone will always be | | | | others want to go and hide. You may want to move |
| backing up so the risk is low. Make the culture in your | | | | to another position or stay where you are. Whatever |
| side one of throwing the stumps down whenever | | | | your reaction, let the captain know. |