3 Simple tips for slogging effectively

Picture the scene: You are playing a Twenty20 match and it’s the last few overs. The field is set back and the bowler is trying to bowl yorkers. You need to score at nine an over to win.

It’s time to slog.

Slogging is vital in limited overs format. Despite what your coach may say, there are times when you just have to give it the long handle.

But it’s not all about closing your eyes and swiping it to cow corner.

Here are some of PitchVision Academy’s tips on slogging with brains:

A ‘slog’ can be described as any shot (most commonly through mid wicket and mid on) which is played in the air with the sole objective of scoring a boundary, preferably a six.

Slogging is more of a mindset than technique. It doesn’t matter who the batsman is or who the bowler is, when the time is there to slog you have to go for it whether you are an opener or a tail ender.

So, here are three very simple calculated strategies by which you can improve slogging while keeping risk to a minimum.

1. Analyze the field setup

The fielding team knows that you are going to come after them and they will try to contain you. Calculate the field setting and work out which is the area with least protection. Once you do that you allow yourself a chance to score quick runs.

Any smart captain will reinforce the field in the area you are constantly hitting, so recalculate the preferred areas of slogging regularly. Slogging is done not with the intent of batting out 20 overs in the same way; it is subject to playing a small quick cameo. Therefore in the short time during which you slog, you should look to outsmart the fielding side.

2. Don’t try to hit every ball:

Slogging is not brainless cricket; getting carried away can cause you to lose your wicket very quickly. Slogging in most games is predictable. The fielding side knows when the batsmen will come after them so they look to contain the batsmen. So after you have analyzed the field and decided which areas you would attack most, it is important that you realize that every ball can’t be hit for six.

There is little need for you to play each ball on its merit, but going after every ball would mean that fielding team has more chances of getting you out. If you choose to hit loose balls and decide to let one or two go away, it can prolong your stay at the wicket.

3. Use body momentum when hitting the ball:

Once the field has been analyzed and you have decided that you are going to slog, it’s important that you pay attention to your technique. Never let the bat rotate in your hands, as it would take power off the shot. Put all your energy in the stroke and make sure that follow through is fluent. Halting your body during the stroke or in follow through is  fatal. Any lack of momentum in the shot will scoop the ball in the air and you can get caught.