Fast Bowling

[Ian Pont]

Originally Posted by tiger1000
You talk alot about speed, people ask alot about why BD can't produce 150+ Fast bowlers - Surley that has to do with their genes and physical capability - obviously I don't know anything close to what you know about bowling, but I have talk to many fitness trainers and coach's of other sports (mainly MMA and Boxing), most things I get is that Explosive Power is down to what you are born with - With correct technique you can add a small percentage to this and you are able to use more of your muscles, but it would still would be dictated by what you are born with - in cricketing terms does that mean a 135 bowler can never exceed 145, to touch one 150 you need to be naturally able to bowl over 140 without too much difficulty?

Fitness trainers of boxing/MMA (who have degree's to back up their knowledge (I cant remember the exact degree)) say that most normal people only use about 25% of their muscle capacity or Strength when they want to fully use it due to lack of technique, most professional athletes use only 50-60%, with improved technique they can improve on their powers, but a average strength person will never be as naturally gifted in this department as a Powerfull person and even with training and technique you wont be able to match the powerfull athletes - I want to know how much of this actually translates into cricket?

I know alot of power is natural because from experience in boxing you can get guys in perfect shape - but couldn't punch through a wet paper bag, then you get guy's with a wiry skinny frame, who are not that fast nor do they have very good technique, but a clean punch could switch your lights off

Without getting into a huge amount of detail you need to be clear on a few things.

1. Fast bowling is a process, and like any process it can be learned
2. No one is 'born' anything. All skills we develop are from seeing, learning and doing
3. What is 'natural' can be changed if you practice it a different way enough times
4. Humans jump higher, throw further, hit harder, run faster - all by learning how to
5. It is useful to have an athletic, strong frame to bowl fast. But it isn't the most important thing
6. Some people have different inherent abilities, but that doesn't stop anyone from being a successful fast bowler
7. A capacity to 'learn', have a passion for fast bowling and a big heart, are as important as anything

I have bowlers who have increased speed 15-20 kph from learning the right biomechanical way to bowl. With the correct help and knowledge, any bowler can make themselves faster. Just as long as the seven points above are understood.

The issue really is, can coaches understand how to teach speed? Those that don't know how to coach pace, believe pace is all natural. If this was true then in other sports like swimming, running and throwing, coaches would have nothing to do.