issue 17 january 2009 The get your front leg out of the way to “access” the ball, working it away behind square. Spin Of course, all this is fine in theory, and McDonald and Jewell n recentdoctors trips around the state with Victoria’s are nothing if not There’s a nice Diamonds In The Bush program, Bushrangers regulars, articulate. But, the breeze, and you Nick Jewell and Andrew McDonald, confirmed a most effective way of know the spinner Ogeneral discomfort against the slow bowler. demonstrating the Time to do something about it. And, what better correct method, and is going to toss it opportunity than a captive audience of 140 coaches at the instilling it in the young up. It could drift, annual State Coaching Seminar. batter, is the drill. They gathered around a net in the Indoor There is nothing as simple, nor more effective, than the coach it could drop and, Centre, deep in the bowels of the MCG, for an instructive dropping the ball at a spot the batter can reach with a skip down when it hits the and highly entertaining master class from two of the state’s the track. This can be varied to encompass drives to both on and off favourite sons. sides, and the ball can be under-armed instead of being dropped. deck, there’s a Who made one thing clear: if you remain anchored to the The ball drop is just as effective for practising the sweep, good chance it will crease, you’re doomed. Either get to it on the full, or let the ball or reverse sweep, for that matter. McDonald says that a coach spin out, and play it off the back foot as late as possible. does not necessarily have to be a master of that unorthodox turn. Better stay The session tended to emphasize the former, and the need shot to teach it. But, he should at least have attempted it put: don’t want to hit from a stable base. McDonald favours the crossover step, so as to understand the difficulty. rather than the shuffle, as he believes it helps The session concluded with Jewell feeding a bowling to make a fool of ensure his eyes remain level. But, the important thing is to be machine, nominating the shots he wanted McDonald to play. yourself, balanced when playing the shot, not hitting on the move. This extended to the use of three different-coloured balls by the length of the Your first step should be your biggest, as you go down the signifying the shot that was to be played, or the area track, “shrinking” the bowler’s area of operation. (field position) to which it was to be directed. pitch! Doug Ackerly The idea is to make a quick decision to play forward or back, But, if you don’t have a bowling machine, no problem. investigates the not allowing the bowler to dictate terms. Put pressure back on Unlike pace bowlers, whose work load must be monitored, the spinner. At the very least, you should develop an ability to spinners need long net sessions. A batter’s footwork is the best way to combat get off strike. It could be the “bunt” to mid-on, big variable, and they must develop ways to counter it. . or the sweep. And, of course, as a coach, you are just as interested If the ball is really spinning, it is important to try to reduce in improving the efficacy of your spin attack as you are the modes of dismissal. South Australian left-hander, Darren in helping your batters play the slower deliveries. Lehmann, would take guard on off stump to a big-turning The result is a competitive practice session, full of fun leggie to take lbw out of the equation. and purpose. And, isn’t that what it’s all about? As a right-hander, recommends a similar approach to the big-turning off-spinner. And, if you go back, Victorian Leg Spinner Bryce McGain in action

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