INTRODUCTION TO WICKETKEEPING

Highly respected former Queensland Bull Wade Seccombe and current gloveman Chris Hartley takes us through the techniques required to be a competent wicketkeeper.

WICKETKEEPING HANDS POSITION (Lesson Plan)

- There are three ways to position the hands when catching the ball.

- Fingers pointing downwards.

- Fingers pointing upwards.

- Fingers pointing sideways.

- The fingers should never point towards the ball.

WICKETKEEPING BODY POSITION

- Position the feet shoulder width apart.

- Squat into position with bodyweight slightly forward on the toes or balls of the feet. Hands should be releaxed in front of the eyes assisting.

- Rise with the ball as it bounces from the pitch. This position provides a clear view of the bowler's hand as the ball is released.

- The inside leg needs to be as close to the off stump as possible. Distance the body to receive the ball at waist height.

 WICKETKEEPING FOOTWORK

- Rise with the ball as it bounces from the pitch, eyes and head together.

- Move sideways in a straight line with a sidestep, to the lineof the ball.

- When moving, ensure that your knees are bent, and the head moves to the line of the ball, watching the ball all the way into the gloves.

- Reach forward and receive the ball bu cushioning it close to the body. This allows a greater distance for catching the ball.

 WICKETKEEPING ACTIVITY - WALL CATCHING

- Stand 2-3 metres opposite a wall in a semi-crouch position.

- Underarm the ball towards the wall, so it rebounds for a return catch.

- Use a variety of balls (tennis, golf, squash).

This activity helps to develop reflexes and ensures the hands and eyes are working together to cushion the ball.

 WICKETKEEPING ACTIVITY - REBOUNDER CATCHING

- Stand opposite the rebounder in a semi-crouch position (3-5 metres from wall).

- Underarm the ball toward the rebounder and receive a return catch.

- To increase difficult, introduce a thrower from behind.

- This activity helps to develop reflexes and ensures the hands and eyes working together to cushion the ball.

 WICKETKEEPING ACTIVITY - PARTNER CATCHING

- From a central point, indicated by a marker, the wicketkeeper receives a throw from approx 5 metres. The throw will require the wicketkeeper to move to one side and catch the ball on the inside hip (hip closest to the marker).

- Practice both directions, with catches of varying heights requiring glove positions where fingers are up, down and sideways.

- To simulate a more realistic situation, use a bat to hit the ball.

- This activity helps to develop reflexes and ensures the hands and eyes working together to cushion the ball, as well as developing effective footwork and glovework.

 WICKETKEEPING ACTIVITY - GOAL THROWING

- The wicketkeeper defenders a goal indicated by markers 3-5 metres apart.

- Underarm the ball towards the goal, varying height, pace, direction and distance, allowing the wicketkeeper to return to the centre before each attempt.

- Extend the goals to increase the difficulty

- This activity helps to develop reflexes and ensures the hands and eyes working together to cushion the ball, as well as developing effective footwork and glovework.

 WICKETKEEPING ACTIVITY - GAME SIMULATIONS

- A set of stumps and a centre wicket or net environment are required for this activity.

- The ball is thrown to the wicketkeeper to simulate the delivery, in both the standing up and standing back positions. Then the ball is bowled to the wicketkeeper to simulate the delivery, in both the standing up and standing back positions.

- In the standing up position, the ball is bowled to the wicketkeeper to simulate the delivery, with a shadow batter in position at the crease. The shadow batter provides a visual distraction for the wicketkeeper and adds difficulty to the activity.

- The acvitity helps reflexes, coordination, footwork and glovework in a game situation.