Recently I attended a seminar on WK and would like to share some of the information. Wicket keepers play a crucial role in any successful team and are often over looked in junior training

As coaches some of the traits we look for in keepers are

1. Enthusiasm
2. Energy
3. Ability to concentrate for long periods

When you analyse the different skills of cricket batting, bowling and throwing you need to generate force. As keepers you need to absorb the force when catching and this why you hear coaches say give with ball, use soft hands etc

Some technical points to consider

• Long to short levers when taking the ball. Simply this means meet the ball with long arms and once the ball is securely in your hands you shorten your arms (giving with the ball)
• Maximise your hand surface area
• Head still with eyes inline with the ball
• Weight slightly forward
• Long lateral follow through
• Power position (half squat position) – this is crucial and allows you to act on what you see and meet the ball with long arms
• Hold power position after catching the ball

Training Drills

• Make training drills game like
• Think of good rhythmic movements with all drills
• Keep simple with high volume maintainIng great technique
• Work both sides of the stumps
• Practice both up to the stumps and back
• Tennis racket and ball
• Use shadow batsmen
• Don’t forget high catches

Finally a great work ethic is essential to being a successful WK

Enjoy the challenge of this difficult art

FitSport Cricket