Leg Spin Grip (benaud Grip Specifically)

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MagicDave

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In another thread on here, I noticed what seemed to me an unusual grip exhibited by Richie Benaud. I have always used the traditional 2 up - 2 down style of grip like this:

upload_2017-12-4_12-48-54.png

Where as Benaud has a much different grip in his video:

upload_2017-12-4_12-49-40.png

(original source here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=163&v=nW1fRPqsa-A)

I had a quick play around with this and it seems easier to get a straight seam when spinning from one hand to another but it wasn't working for me (possibly longer fingers/bigger hands would work better) as the change of grip was affecting my accuracy and I couldn't notice appreciably better spin out of the hand.

Does anyone practice with the Benaud grip? What are the advantages (if any)?
 
When I try it the results seem to be the same as with the usual grip, perhaps slightly less spin and less accuracy due to never having used this grip before. Quite a few years ago I used this grip, gripping the ball very tightly and bowling the ball out of the back of the hand to generate a top spinner. I could generate quite a lot of spin with that grip but no so much with the leg break. Overall I'd say experiment and find the grip that you generate the most spin with and with which you are most accurate.
 
The Benaud grip means that you hold the ball tighter into your palm, and spin the ball off the second knuckle of your ring finger, rather than the first knuckle (as you would with an orthodox grip).

As Chino says, there is no right or wrong way - just go with what works for you.

Personally, I bowl my chinaman off the first knuckle of my middle finger, because this means I don't have to change grip between off-breaks and leg-breaks. It works for me.
 
Thanks. I noticed I was tending to drag the ball across my body a bit more - I guess because of the tighter grip. I'll stick with my normal grip if there isn't a specific benefit to it - e.g. better with a slippery wet ball.
 
When I saw that video I also found that grip quite puzzling. If I was to place the ball in my hand like that, I can spin it comfortably, but it would be cross-seam. I can't conceive of spinning it from that position along the seam.
 
boogiespinner said:
When I saw that video I also found that grip quite puzzling. If I was to place the ball in my hand like that, I can spin it comfortably, but it would be cross-seam. I can't conceive of spinning it from that position along the seam.
Click to expand...

Yes I also thought it would be impossible to deliver the ball with it spinning along the seam with such a grip. Especially when spinning it from hand to hand. Surprisingly the seam does actually come out straight when I use the grip with a real bowling action. I am absolutely clueless as to why and have no idea how the mechanics of such a grip works.
 
boogiespinner said:
When I saw that video I also found that grip quite puzzling. If I was to place the ball in my hand like that, I can spin it comfortably, but it would be cross-seam. I can't conceive of spinning it from that position along the seam.
Click to expand...
You have to keep your fingers tense so the ball spins off the second knuckle
 
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