Catching
When taking a catch, fingers should only point one of different three ways;
1. At the ground
2. At the sky
3. Parallel to the ground (side-on)
In order to take any catch cleanly, as player must use length of catch also known as `soft’ hands. These principles also apply for taking outfield/in-the-circle catches. It refers to the cushioning effect on the ball. This is best explained through the example that, if a ball is thrown at concrete it bounces up, if it is thrown at a soft pillow it stays in the pillow and doesn’t bounce out.
Slips: Perhaps the most difficult position to field. Slips fieldsmen need great concentration, coordination and reflexes. The slips fieldsmen should position himself according to the wicketkeeper. 1st slips should be roughly a pace behind the keeper, 2nd slip in-line with the keeper, and 3rd slip closer to the batsman than 2nd. Slips fieldsmen should try to spread themselves as wide as possible. Players should have feet shoulder width apart, their weight on their toes (balls of feet) and their hands out in front.
Close in fieldsman: These fieldsmen are often employed early in the innings or when a spinner is bowling well. These fielders are in a dangerous position and thus should wear protective equipment at all times. Once a fieldsman is placed it is important that as the bowler moves into bowl the fieldsman squats slightly and stays still. By the fieldsman taking up a `half’ wicket keeper stance and staying low it helps them to move quickly. Weight should be low and distributed on the toes with feet roughly shoulder width apart.
Fielding in the circle: These fieldsmen main responsibility is to stop singles and boundary scoring shots when possible. About 20-35m from the bat these fieldsmen should `walk in with the bowler’. Once the bowler starts his run-up the in the circle fieldsman should start to walk in gradually building their momentum, so that at the moment the ball is delivered the fieldsman is in a balanced position, hands in front of the body and ready to move either, left, right, forwards or backwards
Fielding on the boundary: These players should make sure they position themselves right on the boundary. They are there to prevent the ball from going for four but also to limit the number of runs taken. When the bowler moves into bowl they should walk in a couple of paces.
Fielding is mainly an attitude; fieldsman must wish the ball to come to them. The most successful fieldsman concentrates every ball and likes to display their skills in the field. A long day or a long partnership may lead to a noticeable drop in the teams fielding performance. It is important that coaches recognize this and encourage their players to stay focused for the entire fielding session.
5. Basic Fielding
How to slide and dive
To try and keep the pressure on it is important to be able to slide and dive efficiently.
What is a slide? What is a dive? – The basic difference is that a slide is down with the feet first, then sliding on the thigh collecting the ball in the mid drift area. A dive is head first, with arms reaching to collect the ball at full stretch in one or two hands.
How to slide
The slide is often employed when the ball is racing away from you towards the boundary. The player chasing the ball wants to get his body behind the ball collect and return it quickly. Imagine you are running 45 degrees to your right, with a ball that is already past you on the way to the boundary. You judge where you will intercept it, then as you get close, you start getting side on. You then make a small jump and land with your left leg straight to the ground sliding on the area between your knee and hip. As you slide you gather the ball, quickly rise from the slide and return the ball to the keeper. If the ball is on your right side, slide on your left thigh, if the ball is on your left side, slide on your right thigh.
How to dive
With a dive you have less time than a slide and the fieldsman’s only concern is to stop the ball. As the ball will be traveling past you normally for a boundary, dives are usually at full stretch. You judge the speed of the ball and make an angle to it. Taking quick steps you cover the ground, your momentum is heading towards where you plan to intercept the ball. As you get within approximately the length of your body from the ball, jump head first at the ball, sliding on the side of your chest, with arms outstretched at the ball. If the ball is heading right, slide on the right side of your body, if the ball is heading left slide on the left. A dive should be the last resort as it takes a long time to gain your balance and be able to throw after a dive.
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