Is There Any Reason to Bowl No Balls?
Long jumpers don't overstep the foul line to get more distance.
Dart players don't stand closer to the board to get more accuracy.
Footballers don't practice penalties from in front of the spot.
So why is there such an "overstep-idemic" at cricket practice?
Here is a perfect example:
This bowler delivers a stump smashing delivery followed by a happy celebration. But his foot is clearly over the line. All that hard work wasted.
I've never met a coach who endorses over stepping in practice.
I've never met a bowler who can defend the practice beyond saying "I don't bowl them in games".
To those guys I simply ask, if you don't bowl them in games, why in heck would you practice doing it?
It seems so logical and clear to everyone that it's a no-brainer.
Yet, I bet you right now, somewhere in the world, a bowler is bowling a no ball in a net.
Lazy practice means lazy execution
So, if there is no mindful reason to bowl a no ball in practice there is only one answer.
Sheer laziness: You can't be bothered to mark your run.
You wonder what the point is as there is no umpire and a batter is waiting for you to bowl. Your teammates might even jeer at you for taking things too seriously and to get on with it.
Besides, you never bowl no balls in games.
Do you?
Let's say you (or those you coach) never bowl a no ball in a game. Staying behind the line in practice is still the right thing to do. It shows you pay attention to detail. It gives you mindfulness and focus on getting things right.
How many top level players do you imagine were lazy? Of the ones who were lazy, how many achieved their full potential?
Defaulting to a no ball is a marker. A marker of someone who doesn't care enough about doing well to even spend a minute marking a run up.
Don't be that guy.
Stay behind the line.
Is there really any reason to bowl no balls in practice? With technology like PitchVision you can track everything, even when there isn't an umpire there. There is every reason to find a solution, and no reason to keep doing it.
I'd love to hear your comments in the comments box.
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Comments
exactly David, I think everyone will agree with you on this.
That's kind of the problem, everyone agrees and it still happens!
Hello mr. David
I just want to know if it is a no-ball when you bowl from behind the pitch, for example to confuse batsmen I sometimes bowl from close to the line and then 5 meters behind the line, but some other players say this is a no ball, is that true?
Jacques, that is a great question. The answer is that it is up to the umpire. Although there is no law about how far back you can deliver the ball (as long as the batter is ready), the umpire has to be satisfied that you have not bowled a return crease (back foot) no ball.
If you are delivering the ball from behind the umpires line of sight, he could justifiably tell you to stop because he can't see where your back foot is landing. If you persist anyway he could call no ball.
Thank you for the reply
Fortunately our umpires are willing to stand back so that I am able to use this tactic. I know Pat Simcox also used this tactic sometimes, I suppose it is very confusing when your a batsman and the exact same ball is delivered as the previous one at presicely the same pace, but it takes longer to reach you. I have also noticed that this increased distance increases the lateral distance of drift. I look forward to using it in a match !
Thanks
Would it be justified in an indoor environment, where run-ups tend to be far too short for many seam bowlers and they are simply trying to make the best out of the available space?
hello sir!
As being a fast bowler..i always try to do 'perfect practice'..but many a tyms i cross d popping crease.. bt its not wt i ususlly do..wt process i should follow to correct my mistake?