Coaching Bowling Fundamentals

In this lesson you will look at keeping bowlers safe. Bowling, especially fast bowling, places heavy loads on the back, knees and ankles, particularly in growing bodies. The ECB publishes fast bowling directives for young players that limit spells and overs by age, and coaches should follow them in both matches and training. Make sure bowlers warm up properly, wear suitable footwear and build up their workload gradually at the start of the season. Encourage players to report pain, and never ask anyone to bowl through it. This module is not a substitute for medical or physiotherapy advice, so refer persistent pain to a qualified professional.

• Bowling places high loads on growing bodies
• Follow ECB fast bowling directives for juniors
• Warm up and build workload gradually
• Never bowl through pain; seek professional advice

In this lesson you will learn to coach a basic bowling grip. For seam bowling, the ball is held with the first and second fingers either side of the seam, slightly apart, with the thumb resting underneath on the seam. The seam points upright towards the batter, or slightly angled to encourage swing. The ball should be held in the fingers, not the palm, with a gap between ball and palm. Younger players with smaller hands may need three fingers on top or a smaller ball. Encourage players to hold the ball loosely enough to keep the wrist relaxed. Keep it simple and focus on a consistent, comfortable grip.

• First and second fingers either side of the seam
• Thumb resting underneath on the seam
• Hold in the fingers, not the palm
• Smaller hands may use three fingers or a smaller ball

In this lesson you will coach the run-up and gather. The run-up should be smooth, rhythmical and repeatable, building speed gradually rather than sprinting flat out. It does not need to be long, and young bowlers often benefit from a short run-up of a handful of strides. Help bowlers measure and mark their run-up so they can repeat it. At the end of the run-up, the bowler gathers, often with a small jump or bound, bringing the body into a balanced position ready to deliver. A good gather keeps the head steady and the eyes on the target. Rhythm and repeatability matter more than raw speed.

• Smooth, rhythmical, repeatable run-up
• Short run-ups suit young bowlers
• Measure and mark the run-up
• Balanced gather with eyes on the target

In this lesson you will coach the delivery stride and action. The back foot lands, the front arm reaches up towards the target, and the head stays steady and looking at the batter. The front foot lands in line, and the bowling arm comes over close to the head. A key principle for safety is alignment: the hips and shoulders should work together. Mixed actions, where the hips and shoulders point in very different directions, are associated with back injury in young fast bowlers. If you suspect a mixed action, seek advice from an experienced coach rather than making major changes yourself. Encourage a natural, comfortable action wherever possible.

• Front arm reaches towards the target
• Head steady, eyes on the batter
• Hips and shoulders aligned and working together
• Seek advice if you suspect a mixed action

In this lesson you will coach the follow-through and the Laws on a fair delivery. After release, the bowler should continue moving towards the target, letting the momentum dissipate safely, then move off the pitch to avoid damaging the protected area. Under the Laws, a delivery is a no-ball if part of the front foot is not behind the popping crease, whether grounded or raised, or if the back foot does not land within and not touching the return crease. The arm must not straighten during delivery. In T20 playing conditions, a front-foot no-ball is followed by a free hit. Practise with crease markings so bowlers learn good habits.

• Follow through towards the target, then off the pitch
• Some part of the front foot behind the popping crease
• Back foot within and not touching the return crease
• Front-foot no-balls bring a free hit in T20

In this lesson you will look at developing accuracy. Line and length win matches, especially in T20 where loose balls are punished. Use targets such as cones, mats or marked zones on the pitch to give bowlers clear goals and immediate feedback. Start with shorter distances for younger players and gradually lengthen. Simple competitions, like scoring points for hitting a target zone or the stumps, keep practice engaging. Encourage bowlers to bowl in spells that resemble a match, such as an over of six balls, and to review what happened after each over. Accuracy comes from a repeatable action, so link this work back to rhythm and alignment.

• Line and length win matches
• Use targets and zones for instant feedback
• Shorten distances for younger players
• Practise in match-like overs and review them

In this lesson you will introduce the basics of spin. Finger spin, such as off spin for a right-armer, uses the first and second fingers across the seam, turning the ball with a clockwise twist of the fingers and wrist. Wrist spin uses the wrist and third finger to impart spin from the back of the hand. Encourage spinners to approach with a short, controlled run, to stay side on and to give the ball some flight. Flight and accuracy matter more than huge turn at first. Use soft or tennis balls and targets to build confidence, and celebrate effort as spin takes time to master.

• Finger spin turns the ball with fingers and wrist
• Wrist spin uses the wrist and third finger
• Short run, side on and give the ball flight
• Accuracy and flight before big turn