Trigger Movements.

You limit your shot selection if you do that. What if the ball is bowled full and wide, you're going to reach for the ball, which increases an opportunity for edges and catches.

You are welcome Shane.  I'm glad my tips helped you.
Keep practicing that grip, and you'll be a rare breed of sub continental batsmen, who hits the ball along the ground and not in the air :)

Now, on to your question.
What you are trying to ask about is the trigger movement, but what you have asked actually, is your stance.

Trigger Movement - Is basically, a very small tiny movement , that gets your body to move.  The trigger movement, basically signals your feet to move instinctively, with all the calculations of the length of the ball and line, factored in, within that time.
Most batsmen, have a tiny step forward as their trigger movement, some have a tiny step back, and all this just before the bowler releases the ball.  Because, once the ball is released, the batsman will have to go either forward, or back, and/or across, within a fraction of a second.

So, a trigger movement, is only a precursor to your main movement.

Next time pay attention to the close up replays of a batsman hitting a shot - you will be able to see the trigger movement.  If I'm not wrong, Tendulkar's is a small step forward, and Ponting's is back.

So, do what comes naturally to you, as there is no wrong trigger movement.

On to your stance:

It wont be effective.

Your stance assumes that the ball being bowled to you, follows a very narrow line, near your bat.  What if the ball is bowled outside the off?  With your legs splayed the way they are, you wont be able to move your front foot across the line.  Or you wont be able to move them in time.  At least, not with the quicker bowlers.  Medium pacers, maybe.

I can suggest the stance that I use - a crouched wide stance.  Spread your feet about a foot and a half apart, and bend your knees.  I've found that, I was able to go on the front foot very easily with this stance (I was predominantly a back foot player).
The only problem I had with this stance is, going on the back foot to transfer my weight.  Maybe I'm reacting late.

Try it if you want, and let us know how it goes.

But as MP12 said, if it feels natural to you and you are able to make the adjustments, then go for it.  It should be natural to you, and most importantly, it should be something you are comfortable with.




Edited by Punch - 19 October 2007 at 1:47pm

I bend my knees enough, to keep me comfortable.  Bending the knees serves two purposes - it prevents my knees from getting locked, as a locked knee takes a little longer to move (at least for me), and secondly, by bending my knees, I'm getting my eye level lower, and thereby able to judge the line of the ball much better.

Using this stance, this season, I have got out only twice, edging the ball to the slips.

About the trigger movement, watch this video.

Towards the end (around 4:32), watch Vaughn's back foot, moving just a little bit to the back, just before the bowler releases the ball, even though, he ends up going on the front foot to drive it.  That's a perfect example of a trigger movement.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6jTe_3TFtDE&NR=1

You dont NEED to have a trigger movement.  Some batsmen feel it works better for them, that's all.

Use what comes naturally to you.  But whatever that movement is, it should be very small, so that it doesnt affect your head from remaining still, when the ball is released, a very important thing to do.


Edited by Punch - 20 October 2007 at 6:19am

You are welcome.

Why? Do, only Aussies know their cricket well? :)


Edited by Punch - 22 October 2007 at 4:53am

Originally posted by Shane Warnabee thanks a lot for your advice punch and all the rest who have responded to my question. I have not yet tried this stance yet only in front of the mirror so i don't really know whether it will be comfortable or anything. The only reason i wanted this stance was because it seemed to help me move my feet more but i guess its quite ineffective as you guys have mentioned the reason above. Punch, about the stance you mention- do you bend your knees a lot or only a bit? Could everyone please tell me their trigger movements as i want to try them all out and see which fits me the best. TY for your help

I say you should react to what you see, physical training in the nets against quality fast bowlers will enable you to do this, because you are training your subconscious to react, it also helps not to think about what you'll do when you bat, but let it react by itself. It's just about getting the basics right, eg stance, high elbow etc

Basically, first of all, you want to go to the mirror and just watch yourself playing tophand shots, don't grip the bat too tightly with your top hand and make sure your weight during your stance is distributed evenly on both feet, not too close, not too far apart either. Make sure you keep a still head throughout every shot you play and keep your eyes level, also make sure you take a good stride into the ball.

Don't bend your knees too much, if they're bent too much, you will be prone to knee injuries.


Edited by RightHandBat - 22 October 2007 at 7:12am

I agree with RightHandBat.  Batting, mostly, is about instinct.  Practice enough, that your shots come out by instinct.  You wont have enough time, while batting, to make decisions about what shot you want to play, or to decide if you want to go forward or back.  If you practice enough, they will come to you instinctively.  And when you have done enough of that, just go out there, back yourself, and play your game.  Confidence, helps a lot, in scoring runs.

I have only batted with one trigger movement and that is backfoot across, front foot a bit forward and then if it's pitched up, I continue going forward or if it's short, I either rock back or step back!

I don't really have a trigger movement for spinners. I've never really had trouble playing them so I'm comfortable in any batting position. For faster bowlers usually my right foot will either step horizonatally backwards and hit through the offside or step backwards and hit off the back foot.

Hi Guys

Regarding trigger movements. I have over the last 2 net sessions started to develop one for the fast/medium bowlers. I'm 5"5 so am already quite short compared to the bowlers. I stand with a open stance, i take middle and leg. But i will stand out side leg. What i do is a little shuffle to the mark (middle and leg) moving back and across. while remaining on my toes. I use the crouch and then transfer forward or back.

I have found this to be a very good techniques for myself, not out the coaching manual mind you. the problem with this is that i can never hit a ball drifting wide of my pads, that flick. i find that because of the stance trigger movement im always either front or back, ideal for balls on middle and off, short or full . anything flying down leg side is impossible for me to hit.

The best way to hit these balls iv been told, is to move your front foot swivel and flick the ball. something totally impossible for me.

Mo