How to Coach Wicketkeeping

The basic premise of cricket is for the batting team to score as many runs as possible, and for the bowling team to get the batters out by knocking over the wickets -- small wooden sticks -- behind the batter, or by one of the fielders catching the ball. It is the wicketkeeper's job to stand behind the batter and catch any balls that make their way through to him, whether they have clipped the bat or been missed by the batter. This is one of the most specialized positions on a cricket team and it requires lightning-quick reflexes and coordination. There are a variety of coaching techniques used to enhance these skills.

Things You'll Need

  • Cricket bat
  • Wicketkeeping gloves
  • Wicket
  • Cricket ball
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Instructions

    • 1

      Work out the parts of the body vital to wicketkeeping. These include legs, ankles and knees. You should thoroughly stretch these areas before performing weight exercises such as leg curls. This should take about 20 minutes.

    • 2

      Teach the appropriate stance. This is important because you have to be in a position to catch any balls that clip the batter's cricket bat and get him out, and this requires a stance that allows immediate agility. The weight of the body should be on the legs and heels. This slows down the movements on either side of the wicketkeeper. The legs need to be in an inverted V position and the elbows must be straight and stiff to get a strong grip.

    • 3

      Work on the technical ability of the would-be wicketkeeper. The most effective way to do this is to bowl a number of varied deliveries at the wicketkeeper -- all at different heights and speeds. This will develop his skills. Teach him that any delivery below waist height should be caught while crouching, with fingers facing downward. Any delivery above that should be caught with horizontal arms, having twisted the head and body to get in the correct position. Perfecting these methods of catching is the key technical skill.

    • 4

      Finish the coaching session with actual game time. Nothing prepares the student for the rigors of wicketkeeping like being in a match, and it will be helpful to put the coaching into practice, as standing behind an actual batter and facing a pace bowler is more challenging than a training session.