How To Bowl Faster In Cricket? (+Improvement Tips In 2023)

Fast bowlers are the gunslingers of cricket. They are the ones who can make the ball fly past batsmen’s ears at 90 mph or more, putting fear into their hearts and making them play tentative shots. But do you know how to bowl faster in cricket?

To bowl at a faster pace, you need to first adjust and perfect your “run-up” to generate initial momentum. You should then concentrate on the “jump and gather” to generate power and finds the rhythm. And finally, you need to “delay your delivery arm” till the last possible moment and deliver the ball with concentrated power.

Fast bowling is an art, and mastering it takes a lot of time, dedication, and hard work. Many great fast bowlers took several years to perfect their techniques. So now, let’s take a deep dive.

The Role And Importance Of Fast Bowlers In Cricket

Fast bowlers are an essential part of any cricket team. They are the ones who can swing the ball, bounce it off the pitch, and generate enough speed to trouble even the best finishers.

They play a vital role in breaking partnerships, taking wickets, and setting up victories for their team. A good fast bowler can intimidate the opposition, disrupt their rhythm, and turn the tide of a game in their team’s favor.

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Techniques International Fast Bowlers Use

There are several techniques that international fast bowlers use to generate speed and accuracy. Some of the best cricket coaches also followed these techniques. Some of these include:

1. Run-Up: A smooth and consistent run-up is essential for a fast bowler. It helps them generate momentum and transfer it into the ball.
2. Jump And Gather: A good jump and gather allows the bowler to generate power and rhythm before delivering the ball.
3. Back Foot Contact: This is the moment when the bowler lands on their back foot. It is crucial for generating energy and momentum to transfer to the front foot.
4. Front Foot Contact: The moment when the bowler lands on their front foot is critical for generating pace and accuracy. It is the point where the bowler delivers the ball.
5. Delayed Arms: This technique involves delaying the bowling arm’s movement until the last possible moment. It helps generate more power and speed.
6. Chest Drive: Chest drive is the technique of using the chest to drive the bowling arm forward, generating more speed and accuracy.

Tall athletes get more advantage in fast bowling as they can generate more power while jumping before the final delivery. Besides, because of their long arms, they can also generate more momentum.

Illegal Actions and Deliveries for Fast Bowlers

Fast bowling is an art that takes time to perfect. And there are some illegal actions and deliveries for fast bowlers, such as:

• Throwing: When a bowler throws the ball instead of bowling it, it is considered an illegal action.
• Beamers: A beamer is a full toss delivery above waist height. It is considered dangerous and can result in a no-ball or even a dismissal.
• Bouncers: Bouncers are deliveries that are aimed at the batsman’s head or body. They are legal but can result in a no-ball if they are too high.

However, there are several incidents in cricket history, especially in India vs. Pakistan cricket matches, where beamers and bouncers rose the intensity of the game.

Why A Perfect Run-Up Is Important?

A perfect run-up is essential for a fast bowler. It helps them generate momentum and transfer it into the ball. A smooth and consistent run-up also helps the bowler maintain their rhythm and avoid injuries.

Different pro-level cricketers adopt different run-up styles to match their speed and power. But generally, we often see fast bowlers tend to go for a longer run-up than medium pacers.

Step-by-Step Guide On Run-up Properly While Fast Bowling

Perfecting your run-up is crucial if you are aiming to bowl faster. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to run up properly while fast bowling:

1. Begin at the top of your mark.
2. Take three or four long strides, building up speed as you go.
3. Keep your head still and your eyes focused on your target.
4. Make sure your arms are swinging freely at your sides.
5. Focus on a smooth and consistent stride pattern.
6. Try to maintain your speed and momentum throughout your run-up.

Why A Perfect Jump And Gather Is Important?

A good jump and gather allow the bowler to generate power and rhythm before delivering the ball. It is crucial for generating speed and accuracy and helps the bowler maintain their balance and avoid injuries.

If a fast bowler fails to jump properly and land in the perfect way, fatal injuries can happen on the ground.

Step-By-Step Guide On Improving Jump And Gather

Your jump and gather technique needs to be perfect to get more power. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to improve your jump and gather:

1. Begin your run-up with a smooth and consistent stride pattern.
2. As you approach the bowling crease, focus on jumping high and gathering your feet under you.
3. Keep your head still and your eyes focused on your target.
4. Try to land on the balls of your feet with your knees slightly bent.
5. Keep your arms straight and your shoulders relaxed.
6. Focus on maintaining your balance and staying in control.

Why Back Foot Contact Is Important?

Back foot contact is the moment when the bowler lands on their back foot. It is crucial for generating energy and momentum to transfer to the front foot. It helps the bowler maintain their balance and avoid injuries.

Some of the greatest batsmen of all time judge their bowlers by their backfoot contact. They get an idea of the power by looking at how the bowler lands.

Step-By-Step Guide On Improving Back Foot Contact

Your back foot contact will be directly responsible for the power you want to generate on your front foot. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to improve your back foot contact:

1. Focus on a smooth and consistent run-up.
2. As you approach the bowling crease, make sure you land on your back foot with your knee slightly bent.
3. Keep your head still and your eyes focused on your target.
4. Try to land with your weight evenly distributed on both feet.
5. Keep your shoulders level and your arms straight.
6. Focus on generating energy and momentum to transfer to your front foot.

Why Front Foot Contact Is Important?

Front foot contact is the moment when the bowler lands on their front foot. It is critical for generating pace and accuracy. It helps the bowler maintain their balance and transfer their momentum into the ball.

If you can perfect your front foot contact, even the hard-hitting batsmen will find it hard to match up with your pace and line.

Step-by-Step Guide On Improving Front Foot Contact

Front foot contact is a necessary thing that you also need to perfect. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to improve your front-foot contact:

1. Focus on a smooth and consistent run-up.
2. As you approach the bowling crease, make sure you land on your front foot with your knee slightly bent.
3. Keep your head still and your eyes focused on your target.
4. Try to land with your weight evenly distributed on both feet.
5. Keep your shoulders level and your arms straight.
6. Focus on transferring your momentum into the ball.

Why Delayed Arms Is Important?

Delayed arms is the technique of delaying the bowling arm’s movement until the last possible moment. It helps generate more power and speed and can surprise the batsman.

And not just fast bowlers, even spin bowlers also opt for delayed arms, especially in their iconic deliveries, to generate a sudden burst of power to make variations in their bowling speed.

Step-by-Step Guide On Improving Delayed Arms

If you can delay your arm, you will generate power and speed at the same time. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to improve your delayed arms:

1. Focus on a smooth and consistent run-up.
2. As you approach the bowling crease, focus on keeping your bowling arm close to your body.
3. Just before delivery, bring your arm forward in a fast and explosive motion.
4. Keep your wrist and fingers relaxed.
5. Try to maintain a smooth and consistent action.
6. Focus on generating more power and speed.

Why Chest Drive Is Important?

Chest drive is the technique of using the chest to drive the bowling arm forward, generating more speed and accuracy. It helps the bowler maintain their balance and generate more power.

Some of the best bowling figures in cricket came from fast bowlers. And iconic bowlers have their own chest drive style to generate power.

Step-By-Step Guide On Improving Chest Drive

Chest drive is the final process that will assist you in generating more power and pace. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to improve your chest drive:

1. Focus on a smooth and consistent run-up.
2. As you approach the bowling crease, focus on keeping your chest up and your shoulders back.
3. Just before delivery, use your chest to drive your bowling arm forward.
4. Keep your wrist and fingers relaxed.
5. Try to maintain a smooth and consistent action.
6. Focus on generating more power and speed.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4kMBr7sEsTA

Five Best Fast Bowlers And Their Techniques

We have listed common practices to speed up the pace of your bowling. However, some of the current fastest bowlers adopted their unique styles.

• Mitchell Starc: Uses a smooth and consistent run-up, a high jump and gather, and a fast arm action to generate speed and accuracy.
• Jasprit Bumrah: Uses a unique run-up, a quick jump and gather, and an unconventional release point to generate pace and swing.
• Kagiso Rabada: Uses a long and powerful run-up, a high jump and gather, and a smooth and effortless delivery action to generate speed and accuracy.
• Trent Boult: Uses a smooth and consistent run-up, a high jump and gather, and a quick arm action to generate swing and accuracy.
• Shaheen Afridi: Uses a long and graceful run-up, a high jump and gather, and a smooth and effortless action to generate speed and swing.

Depending on the cricket stadiums they are playing at, good bowlers also change their style and grip while reading the pitch. Their strategies change in each match.

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Step-By-Step Drill To Improve Pace For Fast Bowlers

Some of the highest wicket-takers in cricket followed their own practice style and drill to perfect their run up and speed. Here is a step-by-step drill to improve your pace as a fast bowler:

1. Start with a warm-up, including some light jogging, stretching, and mobility exercises.
2. Set up a bowling target, such as a cone or a stump.
3. Begin your run-up, focusing on a smooth and consistent stride pattern.
4. As you approach the bowling crease, focus on jumping high and gathering your feet under you.
5. Land on your back foot and transfer your momentum to your front foot.
6. Use delayed arms and chest drive to generate power and speed.
7. Follow through with a smooth and consistent action, focusing on accuracy and control.
8. Repeat the drill, increasing your speed and power with each attempt.
9. Take breaks as needed to avoid overexertion and fatigue.

If you are in any sports academy, you can talk to your coaches and let them help you to make a perfect drill. With proper guidance, you can surely increase the pace.

Final Note

Fast bowling is a critical component of cricket, and mastering the techniques of pace and accuracy can make a significant difference in your performance as a bowler. By focusing on your run-up, jump and gather, back foot contact, front foot contact, delayed arms, and chest drive, you can improve your pace and accuracy and become a more effective fast bowler.

With practice and dedication, you can develop the skills and techniques needed to succeed at the highest levels of the game. So, that’s all for today! Feel free to drop your queries and start a conversation with us in the comment section.