Cricket Coaching Fast Bowling Tips / How to correct my release position

by Richard Pybus
(Question from Eldhose John, India)

Jimmy Anderson: Lock and Load (photo AP)

Dear Sir ,
I am a right arm fast bowler, 19 years old, last week I checked my bowling speed, it is around 115 km/hr. Every ones says my release is not correct, I want to correct that mistake. How can I correct it and how do I increase my bowling speed. I am ready to do the hardwork.
Thank you coach.

Hi Eldhose, it’s important to note here that the best time for changes of bowling action is in the off season when you have time to work on it without it interfering with your playing. Technique changes can disrupt your movement patterns in season and effect control and focus.

Not withstanding this, if these are minor changes because your action is stable and strong and it it is a minor correction you could begin this once or twice a week, you must be the best judge of whether it is helping or not or whether you should wait till the off season.

There are several things which help to sort out release postions, you need to bear in mind that there are front on bowlers and side on bowlers and I haven’t seen your action, so I am going to speak generally and talk about the basics of the action and release position.

1. Your take off jump and bound into the crease want to be going in a straight line, with you getting in close to the stumps so you can bowl wicket to wicket. Your follow through wants to take you down the wicket toward your target. Obviously getting out of the danger area.

2. You want to make sure you have a high front arm and front leg action so that they bring your body up in your action, the opposite of this is having a lazy front arm action and you collapse in the crease or bowl from a low position.

Keep your head up and looking at your target, the head is heavy and if it pulls away with your front arm you will fall away in your action.

3. Model Excellence – copy the action of an elite bowler who has an action similar to you. Work on this using a mirror or reflection in a window.

Watch them on youtube and get a good idea of how their action looks and feels so you know what you are going to copy when you shadow bowl.

4. Begin by doing this shadow bowling in a standing still position, just get a feel for their action, make sure you have a high front arm and strong leg action, see and feel the momentary lock of the the body like Jimmy Anderson in the photo at the point of release. Hold a ball when you do this and check to make sure that your wrist and seam are in the correct position at release, then pull down and through into your follow through. This is low intensity so you can do 24 to 36 of these to begin the learning process.

Progress this by doing it off a couple of paces so you practice your bound and action together, so they grow as one movement. This is slightly higher intensity so do 18 to 24 balls, 2 or 3 times a week.

When you get competent at this take it to the nets and practice it, do 18 to 24 balls off a short run to concentrate on it. You can use it as a warm up drill before nets as well.

With any technical changes be patient, it takes time for the action and learning to consolidate and become automatic.

To bowl quicker, a smooth bowling action with good mechanics is essential, secondly, strength is really important. See Greg King’s Cricket Fitness Tips to begin a strength program to get stronger.

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.