Coaching Profile:
Oscar Nichols
Batting
Stance:
- Feet shoulder width apart and equidistance either side of the crease line.
- Backlift with the bat over the stumps (ideally middle, or off stump – but no wider either way)
Front Foot:
- Aim to get on the front foot as much/as often as possible, moving out towards the ball with a good, comfortable stride with the front foot, quite close to the pitch of the ball to allow weight to transfer through the ball on contact – aiming to make contact under eye line with head over the ball
- Don’t try to ‘over-hit’ the ball, aim to have hands working together to time the ball and maintain the full face of the bat through on contact
Bowling
- Ensure last couple of strides into delivery are straight to allow momentum to drive forwards over front leg
- Stand tall in delivery with arms working as straight as possible and weight driving forwards towards the batsman
- Keep arms and legs in rhythm and don’t force the ball out of hand, trying to work fingers around it too much
- Aim to draw the batsman forward onto the front foot, without making it too easy for them to lean through it (by being too full)
Stance:
- Feet shoulder width apart and equidistance either side of the crease line.
- Backlift with the bat over the stumps (ideally middle, or off stump – but no wider either way)
Front Foot:
- Aim to get on the front foot as much/as often as possible, moving out towards the ball with a good, comfortable stride with the front foot, quite close to the pitch of the ball to allow weight to transfer through the ball on contact – aiming to make contact under eye line with head over the ball
- Don’t try to ‘over-hit’ the ball, aim to have hands working together to time the ball and maintain the full face of the bat through on contact
Bowling
- Ensure last couple of strides into delivery are straight to allow momentum to drive forwards over front leg
- Stand tall in delivery with arms working as straight as possible and weight driving forwards towards the batsman
- Keep arms and legs in rhythm and don’t force the ball out of hand, trying to work fingers around it too much
- Aim to draw the batsman forward onto the front foot, without making it too easy for them to lean through it (by being too full)
