BATTING:FRONT FOOT DEFENCE

Front foot defence is one of the first shots that you will learn when you start playing cricket and rightly so because it is the foundation of your batting. It is a fundamental shot and should be mastered to unleash your potential as you progress. It also helps in playing other front foot strokes because it is the primary position in front foot play. As a batsman you want to score more runs but scoring off every ball is not possible every now and then. You have to defend the good balls because they might get you out and you won’t be scoring runs if you get out.

A front foot defence is played to a ball pitched on good length and is threatening the stumps. It is a defensive stroke usually played in response to a ball which you feel is good or can’t be scored.

KEY POINTS

Lead with your head and front shoulder to the line of the ball.

Step forward with your front foot taking a comfortable stride towards the pitch of the ball along with your backswing.

Establish a balanced and relaxed base by bending the knee of the front foot.

Bring the bat down with the top hand dominant over the shot and remember to slow the bat speed at the point of contact.

Contact should be made right under your eyes with the full face of the bat and remember there should not be gap between the bat and pad.

COMMON PROBLEMS

Having a gap between bat and pad is a common problem. Practice getting your bat next to the pad in the nets and make sure your front foot moves towards the pitch of the ball.

Dominant bottom hand play is another problem which will cause the ball to pop up in the air. This can be checked by loosening your bottom hand and taking control by top hand. Practice keeping the ball down right under your bat.

Bringing the bat down with an angle causes you to miss the ball. In the nets, take out the middle stump from a set of stumps and practice bringing the bat down straight through the off and leg stump.

Try playing with soft hands, this will help you keep the ball down right under you. This will also prevent the ball to be carried to the slips if you edge it.

Continue the drills in the nets and work out on your faults, you will certainly master the stroke.