"Front on" or "Side on" action ??!!

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Bondy

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"Front on" or "Side on" action ??!!

hey,
i am currently bowling right-arm fast for my local under 18's prem side...
i open the batting and have felt most aspects with that area of my cricket are under control...and if not i know how and where to improve ( through a specialist coach )...anyhow i dont recieve the same amount of help/attention to my bowling as with my batting ( in terms of coaching/proffessional assistance) and was wondering whether i could get some advice or tips on what is the ideal action for a "fast" bowler...i was told i currently bowl a "mixed" action... watever that means... :confused:
 
Re: "Front on" or "Side on" action ??!!

Welcome to the board, Bondy!

We should certainly be able to offer some help in this matter.

Have a look around some of the other threads as a starting point and we'll take it from there.
 
Re: "Front on" or "Side on" action ??!!

As coaches, we are constantly told that "...if it works, don't change it."

I agree with this wholeheartedly... until it comes to the mixed action :D

I see many professional fast bowlers who are quite successful with their mixed actions but also see many fast bowlers, with mixed actions, who have suffered stress fractures; keeping them away from their love for a whole season!

During fast bowling, the spine acts as a whip for the arm. The lumbar spine is hyperextended and rotated at the same time as lateral flexion. Adding a counter rotation is disastrous in causing stresses in the Pars Interarticularis (of the spine), eventually causing a fracture.

Mixed actions are relatively easy to correct; just a case of retraining the central nervous system :laugh:

The trick is knowing where you go wrong.

Check your feet:

If your right foot is planted at an approximate 90 degree angle, you should be sighting through, or to the left of your non bowling arm. (Side on)

If your right foot is planted at a more parallel, forward position, you should be sighting to the inside of your non bowling arm. (Front on)

A mixed action is when you have mixed the upper and lower body dynamics.

Does this help?
 
Re: "Front on" or "Side on" action ??!!

cheers it does... :)
yea i definately am a "front on" bowler, and am getting good accuracy through this action... i feel i am using poor technique at the moment with my follow through as i am putting alot of stress on my lower back as i am trying to force outswing. although this is working...not sure if this will be best for the future.
 
Re: "Front on" or "Side on" action ??!!

Great! If you are a front on bowler, try to retrain by sighting to the right of your non bowling arm; your head will be in the same position, it just forces your upper body to be more open, eliminating the counter rotation and therefore the stress.

Unfortunately, it may lead to less accuracy for a while but, trust me, it really is worth the effort.

Good luck with your career, you have just increased your potential and its longevity :laugh:
 
Re: "Front on" or "Side on" action ??!!

Just to add to what Liz has said, if you check out the Peter Wellings thread, I believe that he gives his thoughts on the same question in there.
 
Re: "Front on" or "Side on" action ??!!

What if your like me and your back foot lands at a more of a 45 degree angle? How would I go about ensuring I don't have a mixed action? I tend to look through my arm (to the left of my front arm). How do you train to ensure your shoulders line up with your hips?
 
Re: "Front on" or "Side on" action ??!!

Your upper body is firmly a side on action whereas your lower body may be a little undecided Danny :laugh:

What do you mean by "more of a 45 degree angle"? Is it ever any less? Or is it usually greater? Or generally spot on?

I would only be worried if it is usually a bit less. If it is, there are strategies/drills that will help.
 
Re: "Front on" or "Side on" action ??!!

There is a mid way action too. The important part is hips and shoulders in line.
 
Re: "Front on" or "Side on" action ??!!

I'm pretty sure I have a mid way action. My back foot lands half way between facing the batsman and facing the umpire (hope that makes sense) So am I correct in saying checking that my hips and shoulders are in line will ensure my action is not mixed?
 
Re: "Front on" or "Side on" action ??!!

Yes, you're right.

If your back foot is 45 degrees and no less, use your non bowling arm as a sight; looking neither left nor right of it [assuming your front foot is facing straight down the wicket]. This will ensure you are slightly opened; the slight change will ensure correct alignment.
 
Re: "Front on" or "Side on" action ??!!

bonkers_1987 said:
I'm pretty sure I have a mid way action. My back foot lands half way between facing the batsman and facing the umpire (hope that makes sense) So am I correct in saying checking that my hips and shoulders are in line will ensure my action is not mixed?
Click to expand...

Take a video of you bowling and look out for any twisting which has any part of your body as a pivot. Look out for it because it is the sign of a mixed action.
 
Re: "Front on" or "Side on" action ??!!

hmmm looks like im a frony on action
maybe the twisting when i bowl is the cause of my lower back pain
 
Re: "Front on" or "Side on" action ??!!

I was originally a front on bowler when i came to my club, but i wasnt getting much pace
my coach asked me to try out side on and i get loads more pace but i cannot control it as much.
is there a way to combat my lack of accuracy?
 
Re: "Front on" or "Side on" action ??!!

slow your pace down and work on line and length, then slowly build your pace up. just remember to not try to reach maximum speed straight away, in practise or a game. work on being able to hit the spot then build from there
 
Re: "Front on" or "Side on" action ??!!

kizza said:
hmmm looks like im a frony on action
maybe the twisting when i bowl is the cause of my lower back pain
Click to expand...

Tell me where your feet land and where your non bowling arm is; are you looking to the left, through or right of it?
 
Re: "Front on" or "Side on" action ??!!

Jack said:
I was originally a front on bowler when i came to my club, but i wasnt getting much pace
my coach asked me to try out side on and i get loads more pace but i cannot control it as much.
is there a way to combat my lack of accuracy?
Click to expand...

It is quite a difficult process to change from one action to another and you will lose 'something' until your central nervous system adapts.

James' suggestion is great or you could try bowling from base for a while. This should not be considered a step back but as a way to expedite your steps forward.
 
Re: "Front on" or "Side on" action ??!!

Liz Ward said:
It is quite a difficult process to change from one action to another and you will lose 'something' until your central nervous system adapts.
Click to expand...

Definately, I tried front on once and I just lost a zip in my bowling (loads of outswing though:D). When I go side on, the pace is much greater, even though I carry less momentum into the action.

I fully advise NO ONE here to change actions completely* halfway through a playing season. If your old action is giving injury, just don't bowl because changing an action can result in the same injury or a different one and you will definately not be the same bowler you were with the other action. Modifying an action should occur either in the off season or under the supervision of a qualifyed coach.

*E.g. Perfectly side on to perfectly front on.
 
Re: "Front on" or "Side on" action ??!!

i tried modifying my action, to make it less jerky. my dad said i should try bowling with a more side on action. i tried it and i thought it was all right, till my coach said that i looked like a tool, bowling with a side on body but a front on arm :laugh:.

needless to say i gave up pretty quick!
 
Re: "Front on" or "Side on" action ??!!

Some coaches really do have a way with words :laugh:

I am glad you changed it though. The counter rotation incurred with such an action can cause stress fractures in the pars interarticularis of the spine [not nice :(]

If you think your Dad is on to something [Dad's are sometimes you know ;)] try it again off season but change the upper body so that you sight to the left of your non bowling arm (if right handed) at the same time.
 
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