The ability to use your feet when facing spin is an important skill to have in all forms of the game.  It serves a number of purposes, including;

• Opening up new scoring areas.
• Preventing the bowler from settling into a rhythm and possibly making him alter his length.
• Forcing field changes from the captain.

The decision to come down the wicket is often premeditated but it is important not to make your decision clear to the bowler before he releases the ball.  As you move up in the game, bowlers will be able to respond to this and adjust accordingly.

Footwork

Obviously the aim is to get from our stance to the pitch of the ball.  There are a number of different ways to do this, which often comes down to personal preference.  With each technique the front foot will always make the first movement, moving towards the line of the ball.  After that initial movement we can either;

1. Bring the back foot behind (to the leg side of) the front foot.  The front foot then moves towards the ball again and we can create a good base from which to play a shot.  One thing to be mindful of with this technique is that if the back foot goes to far to the leg side when coming behind the front foot it can lead to the batsman being "closed off" and aligned towards mid-off/extra-cover.
2. Use the "heel click".  Here the back foot will click the heel of the front foot and move the batsman towards the ball.  This movement makes it easier for the batsman to work in a straight line towards the ball.
3. Bring the back foot in front (to the off side) of the front foot.  The front foot then moves forward again into a position from which a shot can be played.  This technique is being used by many of the top players and is one I first saw used by Darren Lehmann during his time at Yorkshire.

Whichever technique you use, it is important you feel comfortable with it and have spent time perfecting it.

Balance

For me the most important thing when coming down the wicket is maintaining your balance.  If you are balanced when you get to the pitch of the ball you will be able to hit straight and make good contact.  Many players have a tendency for their head to "fall away" to the off side as they advance down the pitch.  It is vital that your head remains still with your eyes level as your feet move towards the ball.

Once you get to the pitch of the ball you have a couple of options open to you.  Either to hit over the top or along the ground.  The game situation will often dictate which is most appropriate.  For example, if mid-on and mid-off are up you may choose to hit the ball over the top.  Once you have done this successfully a couple of times you may find the fielders move back to long-on and long-off.  This will then give you the option of hitting along the ground to pick up easy singles.

Hitting along the ground

Once you have got to the pitch of the ball a lot of the technical aspects of the shot will be the same as the straight drive.  To keep the ball on the ground you must;

• Establish a good base (this will allow you to transfer your weight through the ball and get more power into the shot).
• Ensure the front knee is bent with your head over the ball.  You should be making contact with the ball underneath your eyes.  If you do this your bat will be angled down when you make contact with the ball.
• Bring the bat straight through the line of the ball (it should finish facing your target).

Hitting over the top

Many young cricketers make the mistake of thinking they must lean back to hit the ball over the infield, when in fact this is not the case.  It is important your weight is still going towards the target to get power into the shot.  So how do you hit the ball in the air?  Rather than making contact with your bat angled down you want it to be angled upwards as contact with the ball is made.  You do this by hitting the ball slightly out in front of you, giving you the leverage to get the ball in the air.  It is still important you create a good base and extend your hands right through the line of the ball.

Further tips

• Remember, just because you have come down the wicket with the intention of scoring you are not committed to playing an attacking shot.  If you realise you haven't got near the pitch of the ball you can still play a defensive shot rather than risking giving a catch or getting stumped.
• Fast feet drills can help you get to the ball quicker and allow you to leave your crease later.
• As with any shot make sure you have practised until you are confident enough to play the shot in a game.  Booking a place on one of our cricket coaching courses in Yorkshire is a great start.

Best of luck, Sam