| This article is going to take a look at close catching | | | | their eye off the ball and losing it. Even if other things |
| for cricket. Close catching is normally associated with | | | | aren't quite right if you're watching the ball you have |
| fielding in close to wicket; a great example is in the | | | | a good chance. |
| slips or around the bat, such as silly point or short leg. | | | | Body Position |
| Often the ball will be coming at pace and so it's vital | | | | Again this may change depending upon where you |
| to have the correct technique in order to not only | | | | are in the field but for most close catching p you'll be |
| give yourself the best chance of taking the catch but | | | | adopting a low body position. By low we mean with a |
| also to minimise the risk of injury. The technique can | | | | slight bend in the knees and the head leaning forward. |
| be broken down into four main areas, of which we'll | | | | Getting low gives the best chance of reaching low |
| work through from feet to head. | | | | catches as well giving an added spring should you |
| Stable Base | | | | need to make a dive one way or the other. |
| The ideal base is to have your feet around a | | | | Remember - it's a lot easier to go upwards than it is |
| shoulder's width apart with your weight evenly | | | | to go down. |
| distributed. Having the weight on both feet is crucial | | | | Practice |
| as is not only means you're in a good position for the | | | | The way to practice is to have catches hit at you |
| catch but you will be able to make quick movements | | | | but there are ways to make it more interesting. It's |
| in any direction. | | | | important to also put yourself under pressure when |
| Some coaches will also recommend that you're up on | | | | during practice as this will help to prepare for match |
| the balls of you feet but this is less critical - the key | | | | days. Pressure can be added by making the drill |
| is to be balanced. | | | | competitive or simply by having distractions around |
| Hands | | | | you (one we use is to have people coming up and |
| Hands should be together with fingers spread and | | | | talking/shouting/being annoying and generally trying to |
| pointing downwards. It is important to do this as it | | | | put us off) for example. |
| helps to reduce the likelihood of the ball hitting the | | | | Try facing a wall with a partner behind you who will |
| ends of the fingers, which is pretty painful - trust me | | | | throw the ball at the wall for you to catch the |
| on this one. | | | | rebound. This will help with reflexes as you'll be 'blind' |
| Hand position will change depending exactly where | | | | to the actual throw so have to rely on watching the |
| you're fielding but the general placement is either | | | | ball of the wall and into your hands. Move closer or |
| around the knees or waist. If fielding a little further | | | | further away from the wall to increase/decrease |
| out from the wicket then the hands may be a little | | | | difficulty. |
| higher. | | | | Another drill of similar vein is to face away from your |
| It is also important to learn to 'give' with the hands | | | | partner, who then calls 'turn'. On this call you turn |
| once you have the ball. 'Give' (it can also be called | | | | around and then attempt to catch the ball which is |
| 'soft' hands) means bringing the hands back into the | | | | thrown at the same time. This drill can easily be |
| body in an attempt to cushion the ball. This helps to | | | | turned into a general fielding drill. |
| stop the ball bouncing back out and also some of the | | | | I would recommend that the majority of practice is |
| stress on the hands. | | | | carried out with tennis balls, as they not only reduce |
| Head | | | | impact on the hands but the bounce of the ball |
| The head needs to be over the hands at all times. By | | | | encourages the use of the all important 'soft' hands. |
| doing this it ensures that you're in a good position to | | | | If you can catch a tennis ball consistently then a |
| take the catch and able to watch the ball all the way | | | | cricket ball will be a breeze. Of course it is also |
| into the hands. | | | | important to train with a hard ball, so swap between |
| Watching the ball into the hands is critical; the cause | | | | the two. You may want to consider a third option of |
| of many dropped catches is down to people taking | | | | a windball for a bit of variety. |