by Richard Pybus
Morne Morkel – In Full Flow
Hi Sir,
I am a fast bowler, I wanted to ask how can I correct the no ball problem I have?
Thanks, please reply soon.
I’ve had a lot of requests from fast bowlers posting questions on run up and no ball problems. So here is an edited re-post of an earlier response to a question from Akram on no ball problems for fast bowlers.
Hi Akram,
The no ball problem can be caused by a number of issues, typically it is because you don’t have a set stride pattern in your run up and this leads to you jumping when you get close to the stumps.
Fast bowlers can also lose their run ups when they get tired and their stride pattern changes because of fatigue.
Ideally you want a smooth, accelerated approach to the crease, based on a set stride pattern.
A simple way of working out what is the right length run up for you is to listen to the natural subconscious timing and rhythm of your body and then build your run up on this.
This is something I learnt many years ago whilst studying fast bowling, I originally came across it in a fast bowling book by the great Dennis Lillee, I amended it and have used it ever since.
To prove its as fresh now as it was then, I used it with Morne Morkel when I first started working with him to sort out a no ball problem he had.
So how does this work?
We are going to work out the exact length of your run up and then measure it – measuring accurately with a tape measure.
To work out the correct length of your run up you will need the help of a friend or your coach.
Go to the side of the field away from the nets or middle strips so as not to be distracted by creases or stumps in your peripheral vision.
These can act as triggers for you to jump when you get near the crease, we remove these visual triggers so that you can listen and feel your bodies natural timing.
Put a marker down on the grass, this will be the marker to begin your run up. You will make sure the foot your run up starts with hits the marker.
You begin by putting your foot on the marker to start your run up.
You close your eyes and run out in a straight line and jump and bowl when it ‘feels’ right.
Do this anywhere from 6 to 12 to 18 times so your partner can see where your front foot lands consistently.
When he gets a regular front foot mark he can put the second marker down, you now have the beginning and end point of your run up.
Do this another 6 – 12 times to get a consistent feel of this and to check consistency.
Measure this, give yourself a margin of 6-12 inches on the length of this so you can you fine tune it in future sessions.
You will need to practice this regularly so that you have over-learnt it to the point where it works on automatic, without you consciously having to think about it.
Work on this over a couple of weeks, doing it 2/3 times each week for 3 to 6 overs to get it deeply imprinted into your subconscious mind.
Come back to this exercise if your run up needs tweaking in the future.
Use your tape measure at each game and practice to make sure it is measured properly.
Happy Fast Bowling ! 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.