I’m 18 and opening the bowling and want to have a big offseason to improve. What do people recommend as the balls I need to work on and perfect?

Great question...

The first suggestion I would make... master your stock ball whatever that is... ie practice to become so good at it that no matter what conditions or situations you face, you trust your ability to use that skill to the extent that it forms the backbone of your performance.

Next... depending on the formats you play or are looking to play...

Yorkers, Bouncers, and slower balls are always good to have in your skillset.

As an 18-year-old I’d suggest you keep things simple in terms of your off season.
Irrespective of whether you’re a swing or seam bowler perfecting your stock ball that hits the top of off stump 8 out of 10 times will deliver you terrific benefits next season.
Take a look at some footage on YouTube of Glenn McGath bowling. It pays to never get bored hitting the top of off stump. Let the batsman get bored.
The other two balls you should look to perfect is the yorker and if you’re fast enough, a bouncer directed between chest and head height.
Don’t forget your fitness and strength should play a big part of your off-season preparation. Best of luck.

Hi Adrian, as an 18 year old and an opening bowler, I presume you have been playing cricket for a few years and have an established off season fitness program underway.

I wouldn’t be focusing so much on actually bowling too many balls now, rather focusing on building your body to cope with the demands of bowling fast.

There are numerous fitness programs online that can assist you with your development.

If you give yourself 8-10 weeks from Round 1 to slowly build up, this will stand you in good stead for the year.

Not knowing your physical characteristics I.e. how tall/lean/quick before actually picking up a ball can pre-determine how much improvement can be made in one off season.

Trying to bowl a fair bit quicker now may not be feasible just yet, this is dependent on your physical situation.

A program that looks to keep developing the key areas to bowling eg. strength and speed need to be undertaken.

Sprint training should be undertaken twice a week to improve your speed. If you view Tik Tok have a look at Gerry DeFilippo - he has a lot of great strength and speed exercises that will definitely improve your physique however please check in your doctor about any serious fitness program.





Good luck

Hi Adrian

This is a really good piece by the Pace Doctor where former fast bowlers and very experienced coaches and analysts Marc Portus and Stuart Karppinen outline a fitness program for fast bowlers.

As well as training hard perfecting the deliveries, being strong in run up and delivery stride will help your bowling

I hope it helps

https://www.cricconnect.com/profile/683/pace-doctor/blog/1139/six-weeks-to-cricket-fast-bowling-fitness-a-guide-to-managing-workload

Cheers
Paul

Consistent line and length first. Try to master not dropping short and after you feel like you’ve mastered that, start working on varieties. Consistent line and length will get most average batters out.

I would say consistency is the key to any form of bowling.
Practice regularly completing 6 out 6 top of off stump. Eg if you get to 3,4 & 5 and miss, start again till 6 in a row is completed. Be hard on yourself.
Yorkers are wicket taking deliveries so same format as above.
Pace off deliveries are crucial in the shorter form. Also play around with different grips.
I would leave it with those 3.
Also use the crease to create different angles, over and around the wicket.

Practice with two spare balls on a length in the nets as target practice. Keep your fingers soft on the end of the ball and always practice seam up to begin with. Don’t complicate it. Line and length first and foremost. Work on rhythm in your run up and delivery. Use your run ups wisely (don’t waste them). Practice as if every ball matters.