I want to bowl way faster and swing way better

Top Contributors
A

allroundspecialist

New Member
I want to bowl way faster and swing way better

Hello im a 12 year old and to be honest i need to be able to bowl faster and swing better.The people at my state team bowl 120 ks and im down there at 100 to 110ks an hour. The people that are faster than me have more swing and take more wickets.At my reps team i was clearly the best and fastest bowler who could swing it but now in state when i face these bowlers they scare the jeepers out of me even if i am at no 3 and they constantly rocket the ball at the top of off stump.I bowl 1st change and i want to open. I want to gain an extra 20 to 30 ks and be able to swing the ball into or away from the off stump.
ive got a slingy action with average swing but i need more pace and swing if i want to open the bowling for state:confused::confused::confused::eek:
 
Re: I want to bowl way faster and swing way better

I'll start by saying that you are young and the things you seek may well occur as you grow. Patience is a virtue in that respect.

In terms of gaining pace there are a few things you can do but they need to be done under the watch of an experienced coach, preferably one with bio-mechanical, strength/conditioning and juvenile physiology experience.

The first you can do is check you action and try to iron out any imperfections (although I do tend to believe that if it isn't dangerous then you're better off not messing with things). You may be able to gain extra pace by ensuring a full rotation and follow through of the arms, a smoother run up, tighter bound and gather and so on. However, all of these will take time and need to be worked on, a lot!

You can also look to do fitness and strength work. Build up relevant muscles and your core. However, you are young so it is important to get qualified advice and face to face. I am not qualified to give that advice and save for one person nor is any one else on this site. You should also investigate improving your flexibility as this will also help in your quest for pace. You also need to concentrate on eating the right foods etc.

The final thing is practice and getting your body in the right shape for bowling. The best way to do this is to bowl. However, it is also important to ensure you get plenty of rest. Let the body recover and it will reward you in the long run.

You also need to bear in mind that the majority of fast bowlers are born to bowl fast. They have the right types of muscle fibres, more spring in tendons, height, long levers - I could go on. If you are not one of the lucky few then the best you can do is to optimise what you have and work with it.

As for swing, again, some people have it and some people don't. You need to make sure you know the grip for swing and then play around with it a little. Have the seam more towards the slips or maybe a little straighter. Hold it tighter or looser in your hand with the thumb on or next to the seam.

Also, bear in mind that some balls swing more than others. Conditions also play a large part in swing as can your actual action. This is why you need a good coach to watch, analyse and advise.

The key to it all is dedication and practice - give yourself the best chance of getting there and see what happens!
 
Re: I want to bowl way faster and swing way better

ARS, all good points above from mc. I coach your sort of age group (currently district u11s) and as mc has said any technical aspects should be worked on in conjunction with your coach but the thing I would add is whether you have spoken to your coach about 'speed', it could be that what he is really looking for is 'control'. I know I prefer my lads to have control and they would have to be very, very quick to justify getting in the team if all they can contribute is a few quick balls mixed in with a load of dross. If it is speed he is looking for then hopefully the discussion will focus on the things he thinks you can work on

Best of luck and let us know how things go, as mc has also said there is one member in particular who is very good on the physical aspects but see what you coach comes back with first as he is on the spot
 
Re: I want to bowl way faster and swing way better

Fantastic advice from both mc and Tony here ars.

The only thing I can add is that no dream or desire is unrealistic. If you are willing to put in the time and effort, you can achieve anything. The fact that you are asking these questions at your age shows us that you are travelling in the right direction to reach your goals.

However, you do need help to get there and your coach is the best person to start with. I apologise for repeating my colleagues' advice, both of whom are established, good quality coaches, so they know what they are talking about ;)...

Firstly, you do need to get your technique checked. Slight adjustments to your run up, gather, jump, contact, follow through, rotation etc can make huge differences to pace.

Secondly, at your age, guys develop at different stages and ages. It can be extremely frustrating if you are one of the slower to grow [in many ways] but be assured, you all end up the same and the important thing is to keep working on your skills. Quite often, it is the one that needs to work the hardest that achieves the most [that is, if they do not get disheartened and give up]. Those that find it easy whilst young, usually because they have developed earlier, learn to rest on their laurels and loose focus. Before they know it, the others are overtaking them.

Thirdly, and importantly, you will never be fast without strength. You must begin to establish a good strength base if you have not already done so. However, I would not presume to write you a programme without first testing you for your existing strength, agility, flexibility, co-ordination, fitness etc; there is no such thing as an 'off the peg' programme. Having said that, you can start to help yourself with the basics in bodyweight training... press ups, lunges, squats, planks, even crunches. We are not looking for specifics at the moment... just the base. Then you need to progress to specifics. For example, rotational and posterior press ups, overloading the leg muscles etc. As mentioned, you really need to get professional advice; you need to be checked for technique.
 
Re: I want to bowl way faster and swing way better

Was that a little sexual innuendo slipped in there liz or am i dirty minded?
And no state or district coach just cares about how fast you are, if you get wickets you get picked, i'm sharpish but there are people alot faster then me but i've always played higher standards, i can't swing it much, a little in at times but i can seam it both ways and i hit the top of stumps and i've only got into countys eyes on control(bloody battin and fielding tho) so yer, ask your coach what does he want? I bet he'll say he wants someone who can take wickets and win you games not someone who's quick but doesnt.
 
Re: I want to bowl way faster and swing way better

As a county coach (under 13 age) I'm looking for a range of things from my bowlers. Pace helps but is far from the be all and end all - at that age control and consistency are also big pluses. Also, I'm looking for players who can form an attack, not just having 4/5 clones who all do the same thing.

Finally, potential is a big thing. If I think you have it then there is every chance that I'll give you a go and see if you can be worked with. This can be mental, tactical as well as ability wise.

I'm sure your coach has his own ideas as to what he is looking for - ask him and then see what you need to do.
 
Re: I want to bowl way faster and swing way better

agree with Phil2008. It really doesnt matter how fast you are (to a point) as long as you can pick up wickets, and win games for your side, you will be picked.
 
Re: I want to bowl way faster and swing way better

i do pick up some wickets probably 2 per game but i have been told by many that i could not bowl fast enough to take more wickets i normally bowl at top of off and swing it in or out, either way they are smashed for four
 
Re: I want to bowl way faster and swing way better

Don't know if this is much help to you - but have you ever thought of bowling wrist spin instead, you'll take far more wickets in the longer run - spinners always do? You might also find that being only 12 you may have a natural ability to bowl Leg Breaks, it'll be harder in the longer term because of the complexities of learning the variations at a later stage and the strategic aspects to bowling spin, but it'll be far more rewarding I reckon and you never know you might be a natural?
 
Re: I want to bowl way faster and swing way better

How annoying is it when spin bowlers takeover a seam bowling thread?
Imagine the response if we went on to the wrist spin page and just spammed it with "bowling faster is funner, you have the chance to kill someone legally".
All the same, are allroundspecialist are they "smashing" your top of off swinging deliveries in games or in nets? if in nets it means nothing at all i love it in nets when you bowl a good ball and the bat smacks it then you see his box sticking out because his little soldier has been called to attention because in a game
a) i know they'd value there wicket more and not try that shot
or
b) they'd play the shot, get out, followed by a load of verbal diarrahea from my foul mouth.
 
Re: I want to bowl way faster and swing way better

I'm surprised that there are 12 year olds bowling at 120kph (even if at state level). Did you get a speedgun at your nets? and 20 to 30kmph extra would take you to 130-140 kmph. If you can bowl at that speed at "top of off stump" like you said you would probably be playing for India looking at the depleted pace attack. :p

I thought that bowling at 120kmph before you've developed bone structures is going to cause chronic injuries and breakdowns. I expected 120kmph will be achievable only at U-15, U-17 levels. Any thoughts Liz/Mas?
 
Re: I want to bowl way faster and swing way better

If by 120 ks, ars means 120 km/s, that is 268,400 mph :eek:.

Perhaps you're right 120 km/h, which is 74.56 mph :D... possible but rare. However, I have seen few people armed with a speed gun who know how to use it properly. Even the police get it wrong at times ;).
 
Re: I want to bowl way faster and swing way better

120 is rare for me i over stretch and exert much more pressure i never use that type of delivery since back pain
in state they always have speed guns if u didnt know
 
Re: I want to bowl way faster and swing way better

Yeah, good point there shrek. I, myself am 16 years old and bowl at around 100-110 km/h. Im only a rookie though, only been playing for 7-9 months now.
 
it reminds me of a rep game for far north coast i played there was one bloke who was clocked at 135km/h as his quickest ball, i cant remember his average... anyway point of the story is that the bowler from the other end was the one getting the wickets and destroying the team, and he did it by bowling the right length and swinging the ball no more than 5-8 cm and bowling around 90-100 km/h he was a much better bowler than the right arm rocket from the other end who would get punished all over because he bowled short, wide and shitty... so in the end maybe it's not about how quick your bowling but how well you bowl, because the slower bowler won them that game not the quick one...
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top