There is a world of difference between bowling in practice, and bowling under match pressure. If you are going ot be a good bowler, you need to be able to handle the latter. So, here's a simple drill you can do to add pressure to your net sessions.

Here's the video so you can see it in action:

If you can't view it above, click here.

The drill alone is a great tool, but don't forget to really get the most of it, you also need to review how you deal with it.

Here's the setup.

In any normal session, have a net or area where bowlers can bowl without a batsman. Set up a target area in the usual method of target bowling.

I like to use PitchVision because it means you can track your accuracy and pace results without errors of hand notation. It also means you can define an area to hit without marking it on the pitch, which makes it more realistic for the bowlers.

Now, here is the pressure twist.

A coach or team mate stands level with the batsman's position with a bat. As the bowler bowls, the coach hits another ball back for a return catch.

The rules are simple; if the bowler hit's the stumps, there is no catch, otherwise a catch is coming.

As a bowler, you have to think about both the ball, and what is going to happen next. That adds it's own pressure that goes beyond trying to hit your line. This works well if you are the kind of player who likes to bowl to a batsman to feel realistic.

Here are the outcomes on PitchVision from the short drill we did to demonstrate the drill:

As you can see, adding that bit of pressure does change accuracy. We only hit the spot 28% of the time. So, you know you have something to work on if you see your "Targets Hit" score drop below your usual percentage.

Responding to pressure

If you want to get the most from this drill, you can also take the time to think about how you respond to the added pressure. People have different responses, and ways of dealing with the feeling. So, between each ball and after the drill is finished, take a moment to decide how you responded and how you can better deal with it.

Then, when you are in the middle under the pump, you can drop back to your best response to stress and give yourself a better chance of putting the ball where you want it.

Drill changes

To finish, here are a couple of adaptation to the drill:

• Do some press ups and squats just before you bowl to simulate a higher heart rate under pressure
• Have fielders in short so the coach can hit them up to the fielder instead, adding more skill and randomness to the session.
• Have a coach stand in the batsman's position to hit a ball back. Just be careful as the feeder; judge what speed of bowling you can do it do safely, and wear appropriate protection.

Add this to your drill set and let me know how it goes.