| Flight is absolutely crucial for any spin bowler. It does | | | | Flight also helps with creating drift or curve. This is |
| not matter if you are an off-spin or leg-spin bowler, | | | | when the ball slowly drifts to the side in the air when |
| without getting proper flight on your deliveries you | | | | bowled. For the off-spinner the ball will drift in the air |
| can never hope to become a great spin bowler. | | | | towards the off-side and for the leg-spinner the ball |
| Flight is bowling the ball above the batsman's eyes | | | | will drift towards the leg-side. The reason for this |
| when the ball leaves the bowler's hand. The idea is to | | | | drift is different than what makes the ball swing for |
| bowl and spin the ball up, get it just above the | | | | a fast bowler. The technical term for this is called the |
| batsman's eyes and have the ball drop on him just | | | | "Magnus Effect" but all you need to know is that the |
| short of a good driving length. Do not bowl the ball | | | | harder you spin the ball and the more flight you give |
| too high as that will make the delivery too slow. The | | | | the ball the more it will drift. |
| rule is to just ensure the ball gets above the | | | | Another crucial advantage that flight gives any spin |
| batsman's eyes. | | | | bowler is that it will result in more spin and bounce. |
| Why is flight so necessary? A few reasons: | | | | When proper flight is put on the ball it will be bowled |
| The batsman has to keep moving his head to follow | | | | at a slower pace and will thus have more time to grip |
| the ball's trajectory. Ever wondered why a full toss is | | | | on the pitch giving the ball more time to turn. If the |
| so easy to hit? It's because the ball is coming straight | | | | ball is bowled at too a flat trajectory it will only skid |
| at the batsman and he does not have to move his | | | | on like a fast bowler. A spin bowler does not want |
| head. However, if the ball is going up and then | | | | this as he is looking for plenty spin and bounce. |
| coming down the batsman has to not only to | | | | Giving the ball flight will have the ball drift, spin and |
| contend with the spin, line and length you are | | | | bounce. Getting it all right will result in the batsman |
| bowling, but also try and keep his head still while | | | | having to move his head up and down as well as to |
| following the ball. And as you know the downside for | | | | the side even before the ball bounced. Which means |
| any batsman is when he is not keeping his head still | | | | plenty wickets for any spin bowler. So, do not be |
| when playing a shot. | | | | afraid to toss it up! |