Sometimes, a few cricket shots become the identity of a batter like a helicopter shot. The moment anyone refers to helicopter shots, we relate it to Mahender Singh Dhoni. But it was Mohammad Azharuddin who introduced this shot first. Azharuddin was famous for his wrist work, the flexibility of hitting the ball in various directions.
In cricket, there are several types of cricket shots. From name to hitting technique, footwork and intentions - all vary from shot to shot.
As a cricket enthusiast, a few questions triggered in my mind.
Does hitting a cricket shot just need wrist flexibility? If not, then how to play cricket batting shots? How can I improve my cricket shots as a cricket enthusiast? And how does a cricket bat sensor help me improve my batting shots?
This blog will answer all your queries regarding batting shots.
In the end, don't forget to watch a case study that states how a cricket bat sensor helped one international player to get a hold of his batting shots. But first thing first -
Why does the Batter play different cricket shots?
While a batter takes striking position, they aim to score runs alongside keeping their wicket safe. Ball deliveries vary in line and length. In addition, field placement makes batting difficult. Thus to score runs, batters play different shots like defensive shots, attacking batting shots and innovative or unorthodox cricket shots.
The decision to play a particular shot depends on various factors like - the length of the ball, landing position of delivery or situational.
Here are some of the chosen and popular cricket shots
Straight Drive
What is a Straight Drive Shot?
Straight Drive is one of the most commonly used classical batting shots. This shot is a bit attacking by nature. The shot is played on good or full-length ball deliveries in the line of middle or off stumps. To be more specific, while playing straight Drive, the Batters transfer their weight on the front foot.
How to play Straight Drive?
- Judgement of the ball delivery: This shot is played on a half or full-length ball, landing in line with leg or middle stumps.
- Foot Work: It is a front foot shot; the Batter moves their front foot ahead and lands it on heel - the toe points down the wicket, head and shoulder in line with the front foot.
- Backlift and Bat movement: Backlift starts from the top of the stumps. While hitting the shot batter starts the downswing by shifting their body weight on the front foot.
- Bat Face: The bat face comes straight toward the bowler while hitting the shot.
Talk about straight Drive and forget to mention Sachin Tendulkar and Virat Kohli?
Both cricketers play fine, straight drive shots. The quality of their straight drive shot is remarkably effortless.
Let us understand how wearable technologies can help to play straight drive shots flawlessly.
How can cricket bat sensors help in improving straight drive shots?
Cricket bat sensor monitors and records real-time movements of the bat. Data analytics regarding backlift, impact speed and bat swing will help batters improve their straight drives.
As for a perfect straight drive, the ideal impact point should be inside the front foot toe, precisely below the head. Thus, the timing of the shot must be perfect.
Precisely, hitting the ball earlier than coming inside the toe will not generate a power drive. And if you delay your Drive, then the chances of missing the shot will go up.
Cricket sensor analytics will record data about backlift, timing index, impact speed and other vital parameters of your batting technique. You will know where exactly you are going wrong with your batting shots by analysing this data.
Without a doubt, batting sensor app insights can be helpful for the coach, and a batter adds matchless insights on training. With a smart bat sensor, you can work on your backlift and time the shot well.
Forward defence Shot
What is a forward defence shot?
As the name suggests, this cricket shot aims to defend. A forward defence shot is also known as a front foot defence. A batter must learn how to play forward defence shots.
The forward defence shot doesn't hit in any particular direction. Instead, the Batter plays this shot to safeguard their wicket.
But does the Batter need to play forward defence shots on any delivery? The answer is NO.
Forward or front foot defence shots are played on a good or full-length ball that has the possibility of hitting the stumps.
How to play forward defence shots?
- Arm Work: Batter takes a stance and pushes back arms so that your shoulder comes under your chin and the Batter gets a clear vision of the ball.
- Body movement: Take your head ahead toward the ball, then take your foot ahead and slightly bend.
- Bat face: While hitting forward defence, your head, bat and ball should be in the same line. Bodyweight transfers to the front foot, and the knee slightly bends forward. The more the Batter stretches his leg toward the point where the ball tosses, the less chance the ball will get to the movement.
- Slight hit to the ball: As the field placement is nearby. So, while hitting the ball, angle your bat toward the ground so that ball speed gets bat resistance. This obstacle will reduce the ball speed and make the hit slower on pitch areas.
Remember, while playing front foot defence shots, do not apply force on the shot and keep your top end wrist tight.
How can cricket bat sensors help in improving forward defence shots?
Visual insights will be pretty practical while learning to play forward defence shots. The bat's impact speed timing will guide the Batter to understand their judgements about the hit. Multidimensional 3D rendering data regarding the ball impact point will help the Batter better understand the ball length.
Little more on forwarding Defence cricket shots
Ex Indian captain Rahul Dravid was a master of playing defence shots. His defence shots had the ability to frustrate the bowler. As a result, loose deliveries were used for creating boundary opportunities by Rahul Dravid.
Sweep Shot and Reverse Cricket Shots
What are Sweep cricket shots?
Sweep Shots are orthodox or classical cricket shots - well calculated or pre-planned. Batters play these shots against slow deliveries.
Batter plans sweep shots while facing spin bowler or medium pacer. Deliveries that are pitched toward the leg side of the off-stump or toward the Batter's body are ideal for hitting sweep shots.
The location of the sweep shot hit is behind the square of the leg side and in front of the square.
What are reverse cricket shots?
As the name suggests, the reverse sweep is the opposite hitting of the sweep shot. This shot is applied when spin bowlers spin the ball toward the offside. Precisely, the Batter hits a shot behind the square to the offside.
How to play sweep shots?
Sweep shots are a bit riskier. Thus, once a batter is comfortable with orthodox shots, they (Batters) can try innovative or unorthodox shots.
- Judging the delivery: Wrong judgement of the ball can be dangerous. So play sweep shots only on ball deliveries that land on leg stump or middle stump at a good length. In comparison, reverse sweep shots are played on off stump deliveries. Reverse sweep shots are more challenging to play. Thus, as the Batter gets experienced with playing sweep shots, they can try reverse sweep shots too.
- Footwork: Front foot goes ahead, back foot goes down on the ground, and Batter comes on their back knee.
- Backlift: The backlift will come from the top of the back shoulder. Elbow should be raised. This will speed up the downswing.
- Downswing and Impact: Downswing speed will make the bat impact more attacking. While impacting the ball, both arms stretch ahead of the head.
- Follow-through: This is the final step of this shot. After the ball impacts, the bat will give direction to the ball or follow through and finish the shot behind the other shoulder.
Sweep shots force the opponent captain to deploy more field placement behind the square. This opens the possibility of further playing straight Drive and other forward attacking shots.
How can cricket bat sensors help in improving sweep and reverse cricket shots?
As discussed earlier, sweep and reverse shots are difficult shots. Good technique is a must. Any delay, downswing speed or change in bat face can put the Batter in danger. Chances of LBW and getting caught around the square can be high.
Cricket bat sensor stats like back lift, Impact pitch map will be helpful. With an impact pitch map, the Batter will get insights into the direction they impact the ball. Same way, wagon wheel data provide more insight into the finish.
Being a cricket enthusiast, I even get amazed at how technology can impact the way we learn. I am not going into detail with the reverse sweep technique as that is a bit higher version of the sweep and mainly used by left-handed batters.
This will be my homework to my readers to learn and practise reverse sweep shots by keeping smart bat sensor insights in a loop.
Pull Shot
What are Pull shots?
Pull shot is another attacking shot that is hit between mid-wicket to the fine leg side. Many people claim that Pull is a front foot shot, but you can play pull shot on both front and back foot. Ball deliveries short of length and in line with stumps are ideal for pull shots.
In India, Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli both play pull shots impressively. But Rohit Sharma plays it on the front foot, whereas Virat Kohli on the Back foot.
Thus, you can try this shot on any foot as a batter. But It is always better if batters invent their own strategy and footwork concerning shots.
How to play Pull Shot?
- Judgement: To a better judgement, the batting stance should be perfect. So that head should be in the proper line to get a clear understanding of the delivery. Ideal ball delivery should be between waist to shoulder of the Batter.
- Extension of arms: Arms should be fully extended to pull the ball at ground level.
- Backlift: Pull shots need complete backlift. Backlift will start from the top, and the downswing will go at left shoulder level.
The beauty of Rohit Sharma's pull shot is his less footwork. While playing pull shots, Rohit Sharma put little weight on the front foot and twists his waist to pull and ground the ball.
Referance:-https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X5FNFNKUzOw
Hook Shots are also similar to pull shots. But Hook shots are dangerous, and minor misjudgements can send the Batter back to the pavilion.
What are the differences between Hook and Pull shots?
The difference Between Pull And Hook shots are:
- Height of the ball - Pull shots are played on short deliveries that range between waist to shoulder of the Batter. In contrast, hook shots are hit on deliveries above the chest to head level.
- Type of shot - Pull shots are considered vital from securing the runs perspective. Hook shots are a bit dangerous.
- Control: In pull shots, the Batter controls the ball by bringing it down at ground level. Whereas hook shot goes upward, that increases the chances of catching out.
How to improve Pull and Hook shots with the help of a cricket bat sensor?
In a good pull shot, a backlift is essential. In the same way, for a hook shot, the judgement of Batter, impact, and backlift are all critical.
Smart bat analytics can prepare batters for non-conventional shots too. As Batter gets confident with classical shots, they can explore the opportunities of trying non-conventional and risky shots.
Helicopter shot
What is a Helicopter shot?
In a helicopter shot, the bottom hand plays a dominant role. This gives swing to the bat, and the bat takes a 360-degree circle at the same speed and force. Mostly played on full length or yorker balls that the initially batter intended to miss.
Who invented the helicopter shot in cricket?
Mohammad Azharuddin played helicopter shot first. But Dhoni's helicopter shots got more popularity in cricket.
What makes a Dhoni helicopter shot special?
Dhoni's technique adds more power and alleviation to yorker balls. He uses wrists in whipping motion. His shot starts with a high backlift, and the fast downswing ends with completing an arc after hitting a power shot. This whole process makes his helicopter shot more power-packed.
How do Cricket bat sensors help budding cricketers to improve helicopter shots?
As we understood with Dhoni's example, driving a powerful helicopter shot - high backlift, bat swing, and impact – is critical. Smart bat sensors are capable of giving insights into all these parameters. You can record your shots, get in-depth stat analysis reports, and work on your underperforming parameters.
As promised, here is one video that advocates how one capped player improved his shots.
A boon for coaches and players alike
Winding Up
The Batter must understand that while they play various cricket shots, some are not their natural shots. The Batters have to change their strategy according to ball length and circumstances. Thus the art of hitting a particular shot in an extraordinary situation is extrinsic learning.
The stature of your skill does not depend on the team you are representing. So work on your skills to make the best use of cricket bat sensor visual insights. After all, you are playing for the love of cricket.
Don't you think learning can become more effective with analytics?
Think!!!
