| Recently I was asked, "is 'foot work' really that | | | | excellent fast and precise footwork, so that you can |
| important?" | | | | get into a balanced position, in-line with the ball, so |
| When batting in cricket it is essential to have | | | | you can play the ball with control. |
| excellent footwork. As good foot work is the basis | | | | Getting quickly into position through footwork |
| for achieving excellence in cricket and is the | | | | therefore is very important. |
| foundation for good batting technique. | | | | The more you practice your footwork against both |
| Foot work is absolutely necessary as all successful | | | | fast and slow bowlers the easier you will gradually |
| strokes start with effective footwork. | | | | find it. Many players do what we call trigger |
| If you watch Brian Lara, Michael Vaughn, Ricky | | | | movements just before the bowler releases the ball, |
| Ponting, Sachin Tendulkar, all of these amazing | | | | this helps get the feet moving into position and into |
| batsmen have outstanding footwork, often when | | | | line much quicker and easier, especially against faster |
| these types of players don't perform it is simply due | | | | bowlers. |
| to lack of footwork. | | | | Next time you watch a game on TV watch the |
| Good footwork allows you to time the ball well and | | | | batsmen's feet really closely as the bowler is about |
| place the ball in gaps. It gets you in the optimum | | | | to deliver you'll see these small 'trigger movements'; |
| position to hit the ball, so you can hit it where you | | | | small foot movements, which help the batsmen get |
| want and with ease. | | | | in position and inline early. |
| If you have been struggling to play a particular shot | | | | As a batsman it is absolutely necessary to develop |
| for some reason it could be due to poor footwork | | | | your foot work and foot movement, as all excellent |
| causing bad timing and body positioning. | | | | strokes start with effective and efficient footwork. |
| With faster bowlers it is even more essential to have | | | | |