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CRICKET TIPS: BATTING: The way
you're going to stand before facing a delivery is called the stance. As
soon as you come to the crease ask the umpire to give you the guard. If
you are a front foot player then take the leg-stump guard and if you are
a back foot player then take the middle-stump guard.
Your guard should be
marked with your bat or by your spikes. You should always try to keep
your feet parallel to the crease and your feet should be apart, at
least, 1-feet away from each other. Bend your knees a little bit with
your back bent too. Your elbow should be facing the bowler, your head
should be still and your chin should face the bowler and must be
touching your shoulders.
You should have a high
back-lift of your bat before you play any stroke. You should play the
ball when you think it is suitable but never try to be over ambitious or
else you'd be walking back to the pavilion!
BOWLING: The way
you take your run-up is very important and vital, so choose one that is
suitable and beneficial to you! So always take your run-up properly and
aim the place where you want to pitch the ball. Keep the ball on the
off-stump and bowl to your field.
FIELDING:
Catching the ball properly is vitally important as it could earn you an
important and valuable wicket. Here is a suggestion for high catches.
Constantly keep your eye on the ball till you've caught it and always
spread your palm making a basket-like shape. Try to keep your hands and
fingers loose and catch the ball by closing your palms.
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FOOTBALL TIPS:
Successful footballers
spend or have spent many hours on their own, working on individual
skills and technique.
Ball control
How to control the ball
Ball control has two main categories, receiving and trapping. Receiving
means redirecting the ball into space, so you can shoot or dribble without being stationary. On the other hand,
trapping is basically stopping the ball right at your feet.
Receiving
When you're running to a particular spot, it is better to redirect the
ball in your path rather than tapping it to a complete stop. When receiving, try to make contact with the middle or
top part of the ball. Tap it lightly in the direction that you want to go. Good footballers can always settle the
ball into open space, even when under pressure. This gives them extra time and keeps them one step ahead of
the opposition.
Trapping
Trapping is typically used when the ball is going too fast to redirect
at first touch. The most important part here is staying loose on your toes. You can't adjust to the ball when you're
stiff and flat footed. Try keeping your hips open in the direction from where the ball is coming. Put you foot in the
path of the ball and cushion it. When cushioning, gently withdraw your foot in the opposite direction from
where the ball is coming.
Kicking
How to strike the ball
There are two general types of kicks based on the position of the ball,
ground kicks and volleys.
Ground kicks
In order to produce a quality kick you'll need balance and composure.
The placement of your supporting foot is just as important as your other, kicking foot. To control the height of your
shot or pass, be aware of where your supporting foot is, in relation to the ball. By placing your supporting
foot in line with the ball, you will achieve power while keeping your kick low. By placing it slightly behind, you will
produce a rising or lofted ball. Your upper body also plays a role when kicking the ball. When you lean back, the ball
will rise and if you lean forward your kick remain low and hard.
In order to get the maximum power from a strike, the knee of your
kicking leg has to be above or in line with the ball at the exact moment you make contact. Follow-through in a sweeping
motion in direction of your target. If you have trouble understanding this concept, try landing on your kicking
foot after you strike the ball.
Volleys
When striking the ball in the air, proper balance is essential.
Therefore, you need to adapt to the path of the ball by making quick adjustments in your footing. You are ready to swing only
after you have positioned yourself at a proper distance from the ball. You should not attempt a volley, if you
feel that you are reaching out too far or when the ball is too close to your body for a good swing.
Some situations may require jumping and volleying at the same time. Stay
composed and concentrate on timing your leap.
Heading
How to head a football
The first thing that you must understand is that the ball should be
struck with the upper part of your forehead.
This part of the skull will not injure or hurt, because it is comprised
of only skin and thick bone. One of the most difficult obstacles in learning how to head the ball is overcoming the
natural fear which discourages you from propelling your head straight at a flying object. Don't allow the ball
to hit you. You charge at it!
Young players tend to close their eyes when heading the ball. By doing
so, you can't see where the ball is and you can seriously injure yourself. You also need to keep your eye on the
part of the ball that you want to head. Hitting it below its equator will cause it to rise while striking the upper part
of the ball produces a downward header.
The force, which you apply to the ball, should not come from your neck
muscles. Bending backward your entire upper body and propelling your head forward will produce far more power.
Before heading the ball, you should adjust to its flight by taking a succession of short shuffling steps. This
helps you avoid tilting to the side after you have leapt in the air.
Diving header
In this technique, you must propell your entire body in the path of the
ball. Your arms have to be stretched forward for protection on landing.
Glancing header
When executing a glancing header, you must turn your head in direction
of your aim. This motion redirects the oncoming ball.
Flick header
On flick headers, you are actually making contact with the back of your head. As you arch backward, you will direct the ball behind yourself. This technique is useful mainly because
of the surprise factor.
Tackling
How to pressure the ball
Never charge at the ball unless you are absolutely sure that you will
get it. If the enemy has the ball in control at his feet you must contain him. To contain (or jockey) your opponent
means to position yourself in front of him and wait until he releases the ball far enough for you to intercept it. Some
dribblers will move the ball without providing you with adequate time for a tackle. All you can do in such cases is
remain between the ball carrier and your own goal and wait until he errs.
Different methods of defending
Containing (jockeying)
When containing an attacker you must lower your center of gravity by
bending your knees and leaning forward.
Backpedal if the attacker moves sideways. Never face a dribbler straight
on, because he will put the ball between your legs or he may run by you. You won't have the time to make a
complete 180-degree turn. Instead, approach the ball carrier at a 45-degree angle forcing him towards the sideline.
Be prepared to move laterally with your opponent, do not just lunge at him.
Block tackle
The block tackle is the most basic way of depleting an opponent of the
ball. It is designed to give you possession while keeping you on your feet. Plant your supporting foot firmly so
that you don't lose balance. Then, just as your opponent contacts the ball, you must put your free foot perpendicularly
to the direction in which he is moving. If executed properly, this will cause your enemy to stumble or cough up the
ball.
Poke tackle
With poke tackling, you basically stab the ball away from your opponent.
You must use the foot which is closer to the ball. This method does not guarantee that you will gain possession
of the ball.
Slide tackle
Although spectacular, slide tackling should not be used unless in
desperation or when you're away from your own goal. It can also be very effective against opponents dribbling down the
sideline or shielding the ball.
Goalkeeping
How to handle the ball
The goalkeeper's main objective is to prevent goals. He does that by
either clearing or catching the ball.
Settling the ball
The general method used for settling rising shots (or shots above
shoulder level) is known as The W. The name comes from the positioning of the keeper's hands. The index finger and
thumb on both of his hands are locked at about 45 degrees. His hands are put next to each other, forming the
letter W. Ideally, the index fingers should not be perpendicular but pointing slightly inward.
Balls directed below shoulder level (or dropping balls) are handled by
cushioning it from below. Similarly to handling a baby, the keeper must cushion the ball from underneath, pressing it
against his chest.
Different methods of handling the ball
Rolling ball pickup
The safest way to gather a rolling ball is to get down on one knee and
scoop it up with your hands. To ensure that the ball has no chance of going through your legs, you must plant your
other foot near the grounded knee. From this position, you can easily cradle the ball to your chest. As you lock
the ball against your chest, lean forward to protect it.
Grounding the ball
Raise the knee of your opposite foot (the one further away from the
ball) and leap sideways, off your other foot.
When handling the ball, have your nearer arm parallel to the ground with
fingers and thumb forming the bottom part of the W. Your other hand should be used for guiding the ball down.
Diving for air shots
This is one of the more spectacular techniques used in goalkeeping. In terms of execution, it encompasses a scissors-like movement, similar to a bicycle kick. First, raise the knee
of your leg which is further away from the ball. Then, take off from your other foot which should be nearer to the
ball. As you're flying, accelerate the knee of your leaping foot while extending the other. When you catch the ball,
get your hands on top of it and use it as a landing cushion. The ball should touch the floor before the rest of your
body. Contrary to intuition, you should not land the dive on your side.
Crosses
On high crosses and steeply falling balls, you must be the first person
to contact the ball. Take off from one leg with the knee of the other raised as high as you can. This will give you
protection against enemies (and even teammates) that can potentially collide with you. Immediately after you
grip the ball, bring it to your chest and lean over it.
Dribbling
How to move with the ball
Before you can take on defenders, you must learn the proper mechanics of
dribbling. Dribbling can be done with the inside, outside, instep, and sole of the foot. You should be able to run
with the ball or change direction, while keeping it under your control. When you want to pick up speed, do not
kick the ball farther away. Instead, move your feet quicker thus pushing the ball more frequently. When dribbling
into space, don't just fix your eyes on the ball. Learn to simultaneously dribble and scan the field around you.
-cone drills
-basic dribbling moves
-intermediate dribbling moves
-advanced dribbling moves
Taking on defenders
You should always be the person with most immediate access to the ball.
If you don't keep it close to your body, you will lose it. Be patient when confronted by a defender. Look at his
stance and try to exploit his supporting foot.
-360 spin by Zidane
-cruyff move
-complex spin by Riquelme
-double cut move by Ronaldo
-double scissors move by Ronaldo
-fake kick move by Schneider
-double lunge by Ronaldo
-matthews move
-nutmeg by Boukharii
-reverse scissors by Zidane
-ronaldinho move
-ronaldinho move (advanced version)
-sombrero move by Okocha
-stepover move by Pele
-stepover turn by Ronaldo.
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