Flight, Drift and Turn

In this lesson you will learn the key words spinners and coaches use. Flight describes how the ball travels through the air, including how high it goes and how slowly it seems to travel. Loop is the arc of the trajectory. Drift is sideways movement in the air before the ball pitches. Dip is the ball dropping sharply at the end of its flight. Turn is the change of direction after pitching, and bounce is how high the ball rises off the surface. Understanding these terms will help you describe what you are trying to do and understand feedback from your coach and wicketkeeper.

• Flight and loop: the ball's path through the air
• Drift: sideways movement in the air
• Dip: dropping sharply late in flight
• Turn and bounce: what happens off the pitch

In this lesson you will learn why revolutions matter. Almost everything a spinner wants, from drift and dip to turn and bounce, comes from putting genuine revolutions on the ball. A ball that is merely rolled out of the hand will float straight and sit up off the pitch. A ball that is really spun will behave in the air and grip the surface. Revolutions come from a strong finger or wrist action, but also from a full body rotation through the crease. Practise spinning the ball hard over short distances, listening for the fizz, then keep that intent as you increase the distance. Control comes with time.

• Revolutions drive drift, dip, turn and bounce
• Rolled balls float and sit up
• Spin comes from fingers or wrist plus body rotation
• Practise spinning hard over short distances

In this lesson you will learn how to use flight. Giving the ball more flight means releasing it a little higher and slower, so that it hangs in the air and invites the batter to drive. If the ball has enough revolutions, it will dip and land shorter than expected, causing a mistimed shot. Bowling flatter and quicker gives the batter less time and is often used to stop them advancing. Good spinners vary their trajectory subtly, so the batter cannot settle. In T20 cricket, flight is a brave choice that can bring wickets, but it must be used with a plan and a field that covers the shot you are inviting.

• More flight: higher and slower release
• Dip makes flighted balls land shorter
• Flatter and quicker limits the charge
• Vary trajectory with a plan and a matching field

In this lesson you will learn how drift happens. When a spinning ball travels through the air, the spin can create a sideways force that makes it drift. For a right-arm off-spinner, the off-break tends to drift away from a right-handed batter before turning back in, while a leg-break tends to drift in before turning away. The direction and amount of drift depend on the seam position, the revolutions and the wind. Drift is powerful because it pulls the batter's front foot out of line, opening up the gap between bat and pad. Bowling into a gentle breeze can increase drift, so think about which end you bowl from.

• Spin creates a sideways force in the air
• Off-break drifts away, then turns in
• Leg-break drifts in, then turns away
• A gentle breeze can increase drift

In this lesson you will learn what affects turn and bounce. The amount the ball turns depends on the revolutions you impart, the seam landing on the pitch and the nature of the surface. Dry, worn or dusty pitches usually offer more turn, while damp, green or very hard and flat surfaces offer less. Bounce comes from a high release, overspin and the firmness of the pitch. Sometimes the most dangerous ball is one that turns a little and bounces sharply, catching the edge or glove. Do not chase big turn every ball. Instead, find the length on which the ball is doing enough to beat the bat, and keep landing it there.

• Turn depends on revolutions, seam and surface
• Dry, worn pitches usually turn more
• Bounce comes from high release, overspin and firm pitches
• Find the length where the ball does enough

In this lesson you will learn how spinners use the width of the crease to vary angles. Bowling from close to the stumps gives a straighter line that brings lbw and bowled into play. Bowling from wider creates a sharper angle, which can make the ball appear to be turning more and can change the batter's judgement of line. Spinners also switch between over and around the wicket to attack different areas, remembering to inform the umpire. Small changes in where you release and where you land your back foot can make the same delivery look very different to the batter. Practise each position so you can use them confidently in matches.

• Close to the stumps brings lbw and bowled into play
• Wider creates a sharper angle
• Switch between over and around the wicket
• Always tell the umpire when changing

In this lesson you will learn how to adapt during a spell. Watch the batter's feet. A batter who steps out early can be beaten by a quicker, flatter ball or a wider line, while one who stays deep in the crease may be drawn forward with flight. A batter who sweeps a lot can be tested with a straighter, quicker line and a fielder at deep backward square. Speak to your wicketkeeper, who has the best view of what your deliveries are doing. Small adjustments in pace, length and angle, made thoughtfully over by over, often win the contest. Keep calm if you are hit, and stick to your plan.

• Watch the batter's footwork closely
• Beat the charge with pace or a wider line
• Draw a deep-crease batter forward with flight
• Use your wicketkeeper's view to adjust