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Net Session
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Standing up:
Stance
-
The stance to take while standing up also varies with individual
preference, but a few points must be noted.
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Take the stance with the left foot in line with the off stump or a
little outside so that you get the full view of the bowler in his run
- up. You should be just close enough, so that your gloves reach the
stumps even if you move a step sideways down the off side or leg side.
-
While in the stance, the pads or cap should not touch the stumps and
the head is steady & close to the off stump. If the batsman is taking
the middle or off stump guard, it is advisable to stand a bit wider.
Coming out of the stance:
-
As the bowler gets into the delivery stride, raise your hips slightly
and balance evenly on the balls of your feet.
-
After judging the line of the delivery, the knee must straighten
slowly and the moves to cover the line of the line, all the time
staying down.
-
After the ball pitches, the bounce has to be judged and the body
straightened so that the ball is gathered at about waist height.
Gathering the ball:
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Whether you are keeping up to an off spinner, leg spinner or a slow
medium pacer, the objective must always be to cover the outer edge of
the bat.
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For an off spinner or medium pacer, the hands are placed in line with
the ball, while for a leg spinner or left arm spinner the idea is to
place the hands where the ball will spin and beat the outside edge.
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When the ball is wide outside the off stump, take a sideways step and
turn the body and the gloves, so that the fingers are pointing
sideways. The thumbs are kept out of the way and the right elbow is
kept low to prevent the hands from splitting and allowing a gap for
the ball to pass through.
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Taking the balls down the leg side is difficult as the batsman
obstructs the view of the ball for a fraction of a second and may
cause you to miss the ball.
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Judge the line and the bounce early and move quickly sideways with the hands leading.
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The line the ball is taking must be `recorded' in your brain and even
if you are not watching the ball all the time, you must anticipate
where you can catch the ball. The pads must follow the hands to form
the second line of defence.
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The most difficult types of balls to gather standing up is the yorker
or the over pitched deliveries as you do not have time to judge the
bounce of the ball.
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For such deliveries bring the pads together in line with the ball with
the knees touching and bent. The head is kept low with the eyes on the
ball.
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Let the ball come to you and avoid snatching at it. The important
aspect to be remembered while standing up is that you must expect
every ball to come to you and watch the ball from the bowler's hand
till it is safely in the glove.
Stumpings:
-
Never think specifically about stumping a batsman. The basic objective
must be always to gather the ball. If the batsman has stepped out and
misses the ball, it is a natural instinct to take the glove towards
the stumps after gathering the ball.
-
Keep your eyes focussed on the ball till it is in your glove. If the
batsman is out of the crease, you would have seen it out of the corner
of your eye. Avoid watching the batsman's feet or the stumps while
gathering the ball. Your focus should be on taking the ball without
fumbling.
-
The bails may be removed by a swing of the arms, through it is
preferable that the body and hips turn towards the stumps while
stumping. This helps in reaching the stumps when the ball is gathered
wide of the off or leg stump.
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The hands must move quickly after gathering the ball. Some top keepers
even start their hand movements for a stumping before the ball is
caught, though this is recommended only for professionals or others
who have the natural ability and talent for this otherwise difficult
and thankless job.
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