In the sport

Sport

A Sport is all forms of physical activity which, through casual or organised participation, aim to use, maintain or improve physical fitness and provide entertainment to participants. Sport may be competitive, where a winner or winners can be identified by objective means, and may require a degree...

 of cricket

Cricket

Cricket is a bat-and-ball game played between two teams of 11 players on an oval-shaped field, at the centre of which is a rectangular 22-yard long pitch. One team bats, trying to score as many runs as possible while the other team bowls and fields, trying to dismiss the batsmen and thus limit the...

, the approach is the motion of the bowler prior to bowling the ball. It is also known as the run-up.

A spinner's approach differs from that of a medium pace or fast bowler, but certain principles remain the same:

• Balance: lack of balance in the approach translates into lack of balance in the later stages of the action and so absence of accuracy.
• Consistency: a consistent approach allows the later phases of the bowling action to be consistent. Moreover, inconsistency is likely to lead to bowling no-balls.
• Head still and upright.

The strides of the bound

Bound (cricket)

In the sport of cricket, the bound is a jump that allows the bowler to transition from the run-up to the back foot contact position. For a chest on bowler not much transition is needed. So, many chest on bowlers have a low, short bound. In contrast, side on bowlers need to rotate their bodies...

, back foot contact

Back foot contact

In the sport of cricket, back foot contact is position of the bowler at the instant when the back foot lands on the ground just prior to delivering the ball...

, front foot contact

Front foot contact

In the sport of cricket, front foot contact is the position of the bowler at the moment when the front foot hits the ground just prior to delivering the ball. For a right-handed bowler the front foot is normally the left foot.-See also:*Grip*Approach...

 and the first stride of the follow through

Follow through (cricket)

In the sport of cricket, the follow through is the motion of the bowler after releasing the ball.-See also:*Grip*Approach*Bound*Back foot contact*Front foot contact*Point of release*Cricket terminology...

 should all be in line in order to give a balanced action that flows towards the target. Medium pace and quick bowlers usually employ a straight approach that is aligned toward the target. Spin bowlers, on the other hand, tend to have more varied approaches.

Other recommended elements of the approach are:

• Starting with shorter strides then lengthening to cruise in to the bound.
• Leaning slightly forward, running on the balls of the feet.
• Running with the hands pumping, tucked into the side. This tucked in run up is intended to set the pattern for the whole delivery, keeping everything in a tight corridor flowing towards the target. Some bowlers choose to sacrifice this in order to cover the ball with the non-bowling hand in order to disguise the grip.
• Long enough to hit the desired cruise speed and arrive balanced at the bound. Some bowlers, especially chest on bowlers tend to run through the crease. This adds the speed of the approach to the speed at which the ball is released. In contrast, side on bowlers tend to be more similar to javelin throwers. The lower part of their body brakes between front foot contact and point of release causing a whip like effect. Hence side on bowlers tend to have slower approaches.

External links

• Biomechanics and the art of bowling

See also

• Bowling action
  Bowling action
  In the sport of cricket, the bowling action is the set of movements that result in the bowler releasing the ball in the general direction of the batsman.The bowling action can be broken down into a number of parts:*Grip*Approach...
  
  
• Grip
  Grip (cricket bowling)
  One of the key factors in cricket bowling is the grip. Variation in grip has a major influence on the outcome of a delivery. Below is the grip for an inswing delivery....
  
  
• Bound
  Bound (cricket)
  In the sport of cricket, the bound is a jump that allows the bowler to transition from the run-up to the back foot contact position. For a chest on bowler not much transition is needed. So, many chest on bowlers have a low, short bound. In contrast, side on bowlers need to rotate their bodies...
  
  
• Back foot contact
  Back foot contact
  In the sport of cricket, back foot contact is position of the bowler at the instant when the back foot lands on the ground just prior to delivering the ball...
  
  
• Front foot contact
  Front foot contact
  In the sport of cricket, front foot contact is the position of the bowler at the moment when the front foot hits the ground just prior to delivering the ball. For a right-handed bowler the front foot is normally the left foot.-See also:*Grip*Approach...
  
  
• Point of release
  Point of release
  In the sport of cricket, point of release is the position of the ball in relation to the body at the moment when the ball is released. It is crucial for the arm to be stiff, not bent, and the wrist rather looser, to ensure smooth release of the ball, and sufficient bounce off the pitch...
  
  
• Follow through
  Follow through (cricket)
  In the sport of cricket, the follow through is the motion of the bowler after releasing the ball.-See also:*Grip*Approach*Bound*Back foot contact*Front foot contact*Point of release*Cricket terminology...
  
  
• Cricket terminology