During my ECB Level 3 batting modules, I always ask the fellow coaches to throw up any ideas or drills that they have to add value to the module.

Last week Sussex Sharks Cricketer, Chris Nash, demonstrated a great drill that was intended to challenge decision making. The drill achieved its aim and opened up other vital elements of batting.

The basic drill

Get a batter padded up and ready to receive a ball. As a coach you stand 7 metres away from the crease.

Armed with a ball, the coach walks in 2 paces before delivering a fast-paced underarm delivery into either:

1. Mid stump height: aiming to bring the batter forward
2. Rib to head height: aiming to get the batter playing off of the back foot

Ideally, the batter will pick up the change in trajectory from the underarm feed and make the appropriate decision before initiating movement into the shot.

• If the batter makes an inappropriate decision then the coach wins the point.
• If the batter makes an appropriate decision then he/she wins the point.

It’s a race to 5 points with a consequence for the loser.

Consequences should be non-cricket and non-physical. An example being clearing the ball up at the end of the session or putting the nets away/rolling the mat up.

Other elements of batting that may come up:

Pre-delivery routine consistency

As the pressure mounts (pace of the ball increases and competition increases) players generally speed up both their physical movements and their thought processes. The time between each delivery reduces, and everything is rushed.

Encourage your player to use their pre-delivery routine and aim to keep it consistent. Test your player by trying to rush them and then take more time than they need in between each ball.

It will be interesting to see how they react.

Does the player receive the ball when they are ready or do they allow you to bowl when you dictate?

Check and challenge a batters weight distribution

This can occur as a consequence of inappropriate decision making, yet sometimes be a technical flaw.

This drill highlights this and exposes any weight distribution issues. As a result of that exposure, it allows a coach to work with the player on their transitions into the ball on the front and back foot.

So use this drill to check and challenge weight distribution and then, if necessary, revisit movement patterns from ready position into each type of shot using less challenging drills.

Progressing the drill

Incorporate scoring zones and fielders into the drill once the player has come become accustomed to the drill.

• Each game lasts 6 balls.
• The player scores a point for an appropriate decision
• The player scores a point for hitting the ball into a scoring zone
• Maximum of 12 points on offer and as coach you can define the win vs. loss number.

If I am working with an England U19 player then I may set the bar at 8 out of 12. 8 or more means I tidy up at the end of the session. 7 or less means it’s the player responsibility.

Give the drill a go and see if your batters can be developed like a Sussex Shark!