Have you ever had one of those "punch yourself in the head" moments?

I do. A moment like this comes when someone explains something so clearly that it completely blows your present way of thinking out of the water.

Steffan Jones delivered an excellent session at Millfield School last week on fast bowling. His approach linked his extensive knowledge of physical training with technical principles underpinned by the 4 Tent Pegs, as well as Steffan's own experiences as a bowler and bowling coach.

Steff spoke about a load of things that I have heard and implemented over the years, yet there was one thing that knocked me for six.

Straight lines and hips

When supporting fast bowlers, I have always worked off the principles of straight lines as a starting point. I have been encouraged to do this, as have many, through extensive research and presentations based on that research from many of the worlds foremost fast bowling coaches.

The alignment of the feet at the crease towards the target is a good thing. This is how I have coached and no one had challenged this.

Until last Wednesday evening that is.

To achieve this position of "alignment", as Steff brilliantly pointed out, we have to move the feet from under the line of the hips. Now just think about it for one minute, if I move my feet from under the line of my hips then my stability has to be compromised.

We are designed to have our feet sitting under our hips in general life as it provides us with stability. So surely this has to go over into fast bowling.

If my stability is compromised there is a detrimental impact on how I use my kinetic chain and therefore, reduce the speed and accuracy of my delivery.

Steff demonstrated how having the feet on "tramlines" (sitting naturally under the hips rather than aligned with each other), allows the bowlers to fold their upper body from their hips - like Brett Lee - rather than folding over the non-bowling side hip.

This was my "punch myself in the head moment".

What I had been telling bowlers around the world for years was so easy to challenge and I didn't have anything concrete to come back with at all.

The fantastic thing about Steff's delivery is that he speaks in clear language that simple to understand. He backs it up with excellent physical and technical drills that support the development of the fundamental movement patterns that boost bowling actions.

In the past 10 years I have been exposed to things that challenge our conventional wisdom about playing and coaching cricket.

I enjoy having these moments and look forward to many, many more as I work towards being the best coach that I can be.

Check out Steff's brilliant work by looking at his courses on Pitchvision Academy and wait for that enlightening moment to hit you.

Thanks Steff for my most recent "punch!"

It hurt at first. But I'm now a better coach because of it.