The position of the head and centre of mass during the front foot off-drive in skilled and less-skilled cricket batsmen

Abstract

The aim of this study was to compare selected kinematic variables of the front foot off-drive in skilled and less-skilled cricket batsmen. High-speed digital cameras were used to record the three-dimensional kinematics of 10 skilled and 10 less-skilled right-handed batsmen when playing a shadow front foot off-drive to realistic projected video footage. Skilled batsmen were more likely to identify the type of delivery bowled. Seventy percent of skilled batsmen had preparatory feet or foot movement before committing to play forward, while only 20% of the less-skilled batsmen utilized this trigger movement. Throughout the drive, the head of the skilled batsmen was further forward of the centre base point than that of the less-skilled batsmen. This forward head position was associated with the tendency for the skilled batsmen's centre of mass to be further forward during the predicted bat-ball contact. There were no significant differences between groups in the shoulder angle, bat angle or bat speed during the different phases of the stroke. There was a tendency for the less-skilled batsmen to have a larger hip angle at contact. This study provides further understanding of the factors associated with skilled performance in cricket batting, which coaches should consider when training less-skilled performers.

Biomechanics and visual-motor control: how it has, is, and will be used to reveal the secrets of hitting a cricket ball

“…Marylebone Cricket Club, 1987), and contrary to what logically may be expected to be the most efficient means of preparing for a straight and efficient downswing. Taliep et al (2007) found that the angling of backswing away from the body was common, and was similar across skilled and lesser-skilled batters (268and 278, respectively, in relation to the stumps). It has been proposed that this angle may provide a comfortable position for the batters to place their hands in preparation for the subsequent downswing, and may allow for a more 'rotary' movement of the wrists by which the bat backswing and downswing can be performed in a continuous motion, rather than in two distinctive phases.…”

“…At the moment of bat-ball contact, skilled batters have been shown to angle their bat downwards to ensure that the ball is hit into the ground, minimising the likelihood that the ball will be caught by a fielder (see Stuelcken et al, 2005). Skilled batters were found to position their head further forward than lesser-skilled batters (304 mm vs. 193 mm), enabling them an advantage in the transfer of momentum into the stroke (Taliep et al, 2007). Whilst performing a drive in a game environment, peak bat velocities of batters were observed 0.02 s prior to impact (see Stuelcken et al, 2005), generated through the pendulum movements of the shoulder, elbow, and wrists (Stretch et al, 1998;Taliep et al, 2007).…”

“…Stretch et al (1998) found that provincial level batters tended to keep their front knee and hip directly over the front foot; the back knee, hip, and shoulder though were positioned 50, 70, and 90 mm in front of the back foot, respectively. Provincial level batters have also been shown to position their head significantly further forward of their centre of mass, with the majority of the mass concentrated over the front foot (see Taliep et al, 2007). This body orientation also causes the front shoulder to be placed 80 mm in front of the left toe (see Stretch et al, 1998).…”

“…The depression in the front shoulder enables the head to be positioned in front of the body's centre of mass to maintain the weight distribution on the front foot in accordance with the forward press adopted by batters during their stance (Taliep et al, 2007). Changes in hip and shoulder angle observed from stance through to the completion of the backlift have been interpreted as the batter maintaining their intention to transfer weight onto the front foot (Stuelcken et al, 2005).…”

“…This transfer of momentum is achieved through the flexion of the front knee and raising the heel of the back foot, serving to stabilise the lower body. An additional feature of skilled batting was a forward and downward displacement of the head immediately prior to the moment of bat-ball contact to ensure that the batter's momentum continued through the stroke, and prevents the batter from raising their centre of mass which can result in the ball being struck in the air, increasing the likelihood of the ball being caught by an opposing fielder (Tyson, 1994;Stretch et al, 1998;Taliep et al, 2007).…”