Playing Yourself In

THIS CHART SHOWS THE LOW RISK SHOTS TO PLAY WHEN YOU FIRST GO INTO BAT. THINK! CONCENTRATE AND FOCUS ON THE CENTRE OF THE BALL - AND RELAX. REMEMBER - PATIENCE AND DISCIPLINED SHOT SELECTION.

OFF, ON AND STRAIGHT DRIVES:
These drives are safe shots to play as the bat is behind the ball for the longest amount of time in relation to the other shots. If you play with a straight bat and good technique as well as judging the correct length to drive, you will not get out. Early on in your innings, try to stroke the ball towards these areas. Do not try to hit the ball too hard.

FLICKS OFF THE LEGS:
For the good batsman the flick off the legs is a safe shot to play when accumulating runs. The ball is outside the leg stump so you cannot get out bowled or LBW. Just make sure you get your head forward of the body and lean into the shot. Stroke the ball - Do not try to hit it too hard.

THE LEG GLANCES:
This is a good safe shot to accumulate runs against a fast bowler with very little risk of getting out. The ball is a good length but is outside the line of leg stump. You can not be bowled or LBW. Just use the pace of the ball to steer it towards fine leg.

THE CUT SHOT:
The cut shot is a good shot to use for early runs on the board. It is useful to put away a bad ball against a fast bowler. If you do not feel confident enough early in your innings to play the shot just leave it alone. (Do not cut early on in your innings on a wicket with uneven bounce!)

DANGER ZONES A AND B:
It is risky to drive or defend a ball towards the danger zones because the ball is wide of the off stump and the bat is not on the line of the ball for long. You risk being caught behind. Wait until you get your eye in and you are used to the pace and bounce of the pitch. Then start to play the cover drives - but make sure the ball is a half volley and not a length ball.

THE PULL SHOT:
The pull shot is a good shot for putting away a bad ball (long hop) bowled by a spin bowler on a wicket with true bounce. Never try to play a pull shot against a fast bowler, or on a wicket where the ball is keeping low.