Testing bowling speed in cricket is an interesting topic for many people. It is especially important for fast bowlers to know what their bowling speed is. Now let’s find out in detail how we can test bowling speed and whether there are any special methods for it.
Bowling speed in cricket is a method of estimating how fast a bowler is throwing the ball. Usually, in professional cricket, bowling speed is measured using a special device called speed gun. It calculates and estimates the speed of the ball traveling in the air in seconds. But usually it is not possible for us to keep a speed gun available. In such situations, we can estimate the bowling speed ourselves by following some methods.
First, we need to choose a specific distance. Usually, the pitch length in cricket is 22 yards (20.12 meters). We need to follow a simple sequence and estimate the time it takes for the ball to cover this 22 yard distance. For this, using a stopwatch or a normal mobile timer, we should observe the time it takes for the ball to reach the batsman. Then, dividing the distance by the time, we can find the bowling speed in kilometers per second.
Another easy method is video recording. While we are bowling, we can take a slow motion video recording, open it and observe the time it takes for the ball to leave the hand and reach the batsman. Through this, we can make an accurate estimate. Also, if we practice and want to improve our speed, it is useful to analyze videos regularly.
Professional bowlers do some special exercises to improve their bowling speed. Factors like body strength, foot motion, and arm swing affect bowling speed. Especially by improving fitness and increasing general physical strength, bowling speed can be increased to some extent.
As a next step, we can talk about methods to improve bowling speed. Footwork is crucial for bowling with high power. Landing hard, maintaining proper body balance, and releasing the arm at the right angle are all helpful in providing the right speed. Also, training with moderate weights during regular practice sessions can also help increase speed.
In this way, bowling speed can be estimated and improved. However, practice academies with professional-level speed guns or advanced technology are very useful. Once we find out what our bowling speed is and take appropriate training to improve it, we have the opportunity to become a more powerful fast bowler.
Some important exercises and training methods should be followed to improve bowling speed. The most important of these are body strength, proper run-up, right level of hand release, and balance. Bowling speed is not just due to hand strength, but also due to the coordination of the whole body. Therefore, it is necessary to train in a way that uses the whole body.
First of all, Fitness is very important to be a good fast bowler. To increase bowling speed, strong legs and a strong waist are required. To improve fitness, physical exercises like squats, leg presses, plyometric exercises should be done. In particular, practicing sprints increases the run-up speed and also affects the bowling speed.
When it comes to bowling technique, the mistake that many fast bowlers make is delivering at the wrong angle. The body weight should be tilted forward while bowling. Similarly, the front leg should land firmly during the delivery stride. If you practice these things in the right way, your bowling speed will improve greatly.
Another important factor is hip and shoulder rotation. Just using your hands is not enough to throw the ball fast. The waist and shoulders should also help in sending the ball fast. Some fast bowlers use a lot of power from their shoulders, but the real secret is the power generated from the waist (hips). Medicine ball throws, torso twists, rotational exercises are very useful for this.
Now, clinic runup is very important to improve bowling speed. To bowl fast, it is necessary to bring the right momentum. Most bowlers lose speed somewhere in the runup. But if you notice, fast bowlers like Brett Lee, Shoaib Akhtar, Dale Steyn give the runup the utmost importance. In this context, a specific training program should be followed for more effective run-up.
To increase speed as a bowler, we must also maintain a strong mental state. Fast bowling is not just about physical strength, but also about mental fortitude. Even if you have fitness, technique, and speed, if you do not have the right fortitude, your performance will decrease under pressure. Hence, it is necessary to improve your mental fortitude to deal with stress.
Overall, there are different methods to improve bowling speed. If you do not have a speed gun, you can estimate your speed by taking a video of your bowling and timing it. Also, if you want to move to the professional level, proper fitness training, bowling technique improvement, and proper training are essential. If you practice all these things regularly, you can definitely increase your bowling speed and become a better fast bowler.
Increasing bowling speed is a continuous training process. Many cricketers can bowl very fast at a young age, but if they do not have proper training, their speed will decrease or they may get injured. Therefore, it is important not only to increase the speed, but also to maintain it.
To do this, proper bowling action needs to be improved. To become a good fast bowler, body balance, runup, delivery stride, and the way the ball is released must all be perfect. Many bowlers try to take the runup faster or put more power into the arm to increase bowling speed. But, the important thing to really increase speed is effective use of the whole body.
Delivery Stride is especially crucial for a fast bowler. The front leg should land hard when throwing the ball, but it should be at the right angle. In some cases, if bowlers lean too far forward, the body balance is lost. Similarly, leg strength is very important to withstand high pressure during delivery. Hence, exercises like squats, leg presses, calf raises should be done regularly to increase bowling speed.
Another important factor is releasing the ball at the right time. Many bowlers try to throw the ball with more power, but if their release point is not at the right angle, the ball speed decreases. If a good fast bowler releases the ball from a higher height, not only the speed remains the same, but the ball can also trouble the batsman more. Hence, we should think about our bowling action through footage videos and check if there are any flaws in it.
Not only fitness, real power (Power) and proper technique (Technique) can increase speed. Strong shoulders and heels are also very important to improve bowling speed. For this, medicine ball throws, planks, shoulder press, rotation exercises should be done. Especially, sprinting in cricket is very useful for increasing bowling speed. If you run up with high speed and bowl, the ball will go with more power.
Especially, injury prevention also plays a key role in maintaining bowling speed. Many fast bowlers get injured by increasing their speed by increasing their stress. Hence, proper warm-up, cool-down, and stretching exercises must be done. By making the body more flexible, you will be able to continue your speed without losing it.
If this comprehensive training is continued regularly, even an ordinary bowler can increase his speed and become a good fast bowler. Especially, those who want to play at a professional level should improve their speed gradually. Once you can increase your bowling speed to 135-140 km/h, you will be able to bowl with more confidence at a professional level.
Overall, bowling speed is not just about physical strength, but also about proper technique, fitness, and mental fortitude. With a well-planned and regular practice, you will not only be able to increase your speed, but also maintain it consistently.