How to Be a Good Fast Bowler
Become strong., Improve your conditioning., Build speed., Focus on line., Focus on length., Use swing and cut., Make use of the jump and hand speed., Use the 12 wrist momentum., Study the batsman., Be mentally strong., Enjoy the bowling occasion...
Step-by-Step Guide
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Step 1: Become strong.
To generate a vast amount of pace, you must broaden your shoulders, and build muscle on your arms and legs.
Use dumbbells for your arms, bench press to broaden your shoulders, and leg exercise to keep your legs strong. -
Step 2: Improve your conditioning.
Fast bowlers tend to bowl immense pace for many overs.
This requires stamina.
Be sure to run long distances so you can handle bowling a lot of overs, and get faster on your sprints, so you can maintain a quick run-up. , Before you focus on line and length, you must work on speed.
You do not need to reach the fastest you can bowl, but gradually improve speed until you feel comfortable with the pace you bowl at. , As you may realize, raw pace won't do the trick.
Fast bowlers vary line and length to give batsman a hard time.
Make sure the line you bowl is generally on middle stump to off stump, try not to bowl down the leg side, as most of those tend to either be hit or called for wide. , A great fast bowler will pitch most of his deliveries good length, and will bowl the occasional yorker or bouncer to stump the batsman.
Try not to bowl too short or too full, as those tend to be hit away for boundaries.
However, do not always bowl good length, as the batsman may recognize where you pitch it and play attacking strokes according to where the ball will bounce. , Fast bowlers tend to swing or cut the ball many times when they bowl.
Cut is used to surprise batsman after the ball bounces.
A leg cutter may be used to get the batsman caught behind or caught at slip.
An off cutter is generally used to either bowl the batsman or get him LBW.
Although cut is very helpful to a bowler, how a bowler swings may sometimes define him as a fast bowler.
Swing the ball in and out to stump batsman where the ball is going.
I cannot get very detailed with inswing and out swing for that will require a completely new article. , As you learn and become better, you can make use of the wrist speed as a third technique.
Know that the wrist plays a vital role in fast bowling.
Many players use hand speed with regards of the jump. , During the run up, do not keep your wrist straight.
Instead, keep your wrist facing right upwards.
At the time of release, throw the ball with help of wrist; this will add the wrist speed to the existing speed, allowing you to generate a great pace. , Bowl certain deliveries to see how the batsman would react to them.
Perhaps bowl one a little wide on off or leg to see how he would react to them.
See if he'll hit short deliveries or duck.
Observe how he faces swing or cut.
Find out if he is defensive, attacking, or both.
Know his role for the team, if they need to save a wicket, or just slog.
Having knowledge of the batsman will ultimately help you to get him out. , Part of being a bowler is keeping your cool, not matter if you have just taken a hat trick or if you've been hit for many boundaries.
Don't listen to batsman taunts.
Also, never let your emotions affect the way you bowl your next delivery, always keep the same face. , Bowlers are at leisure when they bowl, they enjoy ripping one through middle stump or just realizing they bowled the perfect ball, even if it means not getting the batsman out.
Bowlers love the feeling of pressure and joy if they succeed.
Don't let the intensity of the game take up the pure joy it is to bowl. , Never give up, always remember that good fast bowlers persist for hours and hours just to get it right.
Whenever you are bowling (at the nets in a game) always try to bowl as fast as you can
- don't worry at first that you will be a bit inconsistent as that's normal.
After a while you will start generating pace and be bowling in the right areas (i.e. outside the off stump). -
Step 3: Build speed.
-
Step 4: Focus on line.
-
Step 5: Focus on length.
-
Step 6: Use swing and cut.
-
Step 7: Make use of the jump and hand speed.
-
Step 8: Use the 12 wrist momentum.
-
Step 9: Study the batsman.
-
Step 10: Be mentally strong.
-
Step 11: Enjoy the bowling occasion.
-
Step 12: Be motivated and even when you are feeling tired keep going as that's how you build your stamina.
Detailed Guide
To generate a vast amount of pace, you must broaden your shoulders, and build muscle on your arms and legs.
Use dumbbells for your arms, bench press to broaden your shoulders, and leg exercise to keep your legs strong.
Fast bowlers tend to bowl immense pace for many overs.
This requires stamina.
Be sure to run long distances so you can handle bowling a lot of overs, and get faster on your sprints, so you can maintain a quick run-up. , Before you focus on line and length, you must work on speed.
You do not need to reach the fastest you can bowl, but gradually improve speed until you feel comfortable with the pace you bowl at. , As you may realize, raw pace won't do the trick.
Fast bowlers vary line and length to give batsman a hard time.
Make sure the line you bowl is generally on middle stump to off stump, try not to bowl down the leg side, as most of those tend to either be hit or called for wide. , A great fast bowler will pitch most of his deliveries good length, and will bowl the occasional yorker or bouncer to stump the batsman.
Try not to bowl too short or too full, as those tend to be hit away for boundaries.
However, do not always bowl good length, as the batsman may recognize where you pitch it and play attacking strokes according to where the ball will bounce. , Fast bowlers tend to swing or cut the ball many times when they bowl.
Cut is used to surprise batsman after the ball bounces.
A leg cutter may be used to get the batsman caught behind or caught at slip.
An off cutter is generally used to either bowl the batsman or get him LBW.
Although cut is very helpful to a bowler, how a bowler swings may sometimes define him as a fast bowler.
Swing the ball in and out to stump batsman where the ball is going.
I cannot get very detailed with inswing and out swing for that will require a completely new article. , As you learn and become better, you can make use of the wrist speed as a third technique.
Know that the wrist plays a vital role in fast bowling.
Many players use hand speed with regards of the jump. , During the run up, do not keep your wrist straight.
Instead, keep your wrist facing right upwards.
At the time of release, throw the ball with help of wrist; this will add the wrist speed to the existing speed, allowing you to generate a great pace. , Bowl certain deliveries to see how the batsman would react to them.
Perhaps bowl one a little wide on off or leg to see how he would react to them.
See if he'll hit short deliveries or duck.
Observe how he faces swing or cut.
Find out if he is defensive, attacking, or both.
Know his role for the team, if they need to save a wicket, or just slog.
Having knowledge of the batsman will ultimately help you to get him out. , Part of being a bowler is keeping your cool, not matter if you have just taken a hat trick or if you've been hit for many boundaries.
Don't listen to batsman taunts.
Also, never let your emotions affect the way you bowl your next delivery, always keep the same face. , Bowlers are at leisure when they bowl, they enjoy ripping one through middle stump or just realizing they bowled the perfect ball, even if it means not getting the batsman out.
Bowlers love the feeling of pressure and joy if they succeed.
Don't let the intensity of the game take up the pure joy it is to bowl. , Never give up, always remember that good fast bowlers persist for hours and hours just to get it right.
Whenever you are bowling (at the nets in a game) always try to bowl as fast as you can
- don't worry at first that you will be a bit inconsistent as that's normal.
After a while you will start generating pace and be bowling in the right areas (i.e. outside the off stump).
About the Author
Randy Roberts
Randy Roberts is an experienced writer with over 4 years of expertise in lifestyle and practical guides. Passionate about sharing practical knowledge, Randy creates easy-to-follow guides that help readers achieve their goals.
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