My son is a 15 year old wicket keeper and when he has questions we jump on youtube and look at wicket keeping videos. One thing we noticed is Australian wicket keepers like Gilchrist and Haddin keep the feet close together in their stance but English wicket keepers have a really wide stances. Why is that and which is the better stance for keepers?

There is no better way in my opinion, each player is different in their preference. What the stance needs to allow the keeper to do is; move easily in each direction, allow for the hands and eyes to remain close to the same level and have the hands travel up with the ball as it rises off the pitch.

Great question and I must admit to being quite surprised as to the number of wicket keepers today who have such wide stances.

I’ve always believed a crouched stance shoulders width apart was the better option as it allowed the wicket keeper to develop more power through their legs to move sideways more quickly to take the ball.

If a young wicket keeper can develop the power through their legs, it will help them take the ball on their inside hip (outside off stump and down leg side). Aiming to take the ball on their inside hip gives the keeper more opportunities to be in a better position to take the wide balls and catches. Brad Haddin was exceptional in taking catches through tremendous glovework and power through his legs.

Obviously the most important aspect of being a good wicket keeper is good glovework and being able to catch as many balls as possible. Having their head and eyes in line with the ball as much as possible is a good habit to get into and good feet movement will be very helpful.

In my opinion wicket keepers with wide stances tend to dive more to catch regulation balls and can miss opportunities with a lack of feet movement. A good keeper takes the opportunities others miss through poor body position and movement.

Best of luck to your son – if you enjoy youtube any videos of Ian Healy, Brad Haddin and Tim Paine wicket keeping will be very beneficial.