Cricket Coaching Off Spin Bowling Tips / Gripping The Ball

by Parteek

Hi Coach, I bowl off spin and I hold the ball as a normal off spinner would hold it, but I can never impart spin on the ball for some reason at the release.

My fingers are always slipping off the seam and causing it to drop short. How do I impart spin on it and how do I stop my fingers from slipping which causes me to not impart spin?

Hi Parteek, this is often an issue for young spinners, make sure you are bowling with a ball which is the right size for your age group, if you are still in age group cricket?

Here is a sequence that Saqlain Mushtaq sent for you ( yes that is him in the photo ) to look at, the sequence runs from right to left, you can see the spinning finger, the index finger being pulled over the ball to impart spin.

You need to get a tight grip on the ball, make sure your index finger is firm on the seam so you can impart maximum spin.

The hand action is spoken of as ‘turning a door handle’, ensure your fingers and hand action are pulling across the seam so that it spins down the wicket at 45 degrees. You want to be able to see one half of the ball, with the seam at 45 degrees, as it spins down the wicket.

As Saqlain says, play around with the ball, experiment to get it right, you can do this through observing and exploring how the ball comes out of your hand.

Here is an earlier post, I think to you, a reminder about the technical drills to work with when you start to work on the finger and hand action.

Off Spin Bowling / Controlling Line And Length

Practice, Practice, Practice !

Best Wishes Coach

About Richard Pybus

I'm Richard Pybus, I've coached Pakistan, Bangladesh, Middlesex, Titans and the Cape Cobras in South Africa and the goal of this site is to help you to play winning cricket.