At one our of courses this week I was asked a common question, "How should I play against spin?"  Below I have outlined a few points that should help young players improve against spin.

Over the years I have found young batsmen find it very difficult to score against spin.  In age group cricket, even at County level, spinners often dominate and are able to take wickets by creating pressure through bowling maiden after maiden.  Even the best young batsmen seem to be unable to score freely against spin and very often get completely bogged down.

Most young players have heard and understand basic concepts of playing spin such as;

• Watch the ball closely from the bowlers hand.
• Aim to play with the spin as much as possible.
• Use "soft hands" when defending.

I believe the main reason most young batsmen struggle against spin is the lack of a clear game plan.  When asked, very few players are quickly able to tell me their 3 main scoring shots against an off-spinner for example.  Once you have a game plan against spin the game becomes a lot easier!  For example, as soon as an off-spinner comes on to bowl you may be able to think to yourself that your 3 main scoring options would be the sweep, using your feet to hit over mid-on and working the ball off your legs through a gap in the leg side.   You should also be confident that you understand what line and length delivery to play each shot from.

Of course just developing a game plan is only part of the solution.  Once you have identified some shots you want to play against spin you now have to master them.  The winter is the best time to do this, not in the nets at first but by repeating drills on each shot until you feel 100% confident.  You may want to take technical advice from a qualified coach, especially if the shot is new to you (often the sweep shot for young players).  I can't stress how important it is that you're completely comfortable with a new shot before you attempt it in a game.  Young players sometimes receive criticism if they get out to a new or different shot (the sweep shot seems to get this a lot).  This criticism would be justified if the player knows they haven't practised the shot enough.  However if they have spent the same amount of time on the shot as they would a forward defensive or a cover drive then no coach would criticise a young player for getting out to it.

When a spinner comes on to bowl I believe it is important for the batsmen to be positive and not allow the spinner to settle and get into a rhythm.  Being positive doesn't have to mean hitting boundaries, often the best way is to pick up singles and rotate the strike.  This will help prevent the new bowler from settling into a rhythm as he will have to keep readjusting to a new batsman (possibly a left hander).  Using your feet to a new spinner is also a great way of establishing an early advantage over the bowler as it will force him to adjust his length.  In my experience, even just preventing a new spinner from bowling a maiden in his first over is a good way to start out on top against the bowler.

My advice to all young batsmen would be to ask themselves if they have a clear game plan and well practiced scoring options against spin.  If they don't, there is still plenty of time before the season to learn and master new scoring shots.

In my next 3 posts I will take each of the scoring shots I gave as examples above and go into more detail on each one.

• The Sweep shot
• Using your feet against spin
• Manipulating the ball into gaps against spin

I hope this has been of some help.  For more advice, why not book on to one of our cricket coaching courses in Yorkshire.

Sam