Fear of Getting Hit by the Ball
Also known as: scared of the cricket ball, afraid of getting hit, fear of getting hit, scared of the hard ball, confidence after being hit, afraid of the cricket ball
Being scared of a hard cricket ball is normal. Confidence comes from kit that fits and step-by-step practice that raises the pace slowly. It also comes from learning to watch the ball and get out of its way safely. After a blow, especially to the head, stop and get checked before batting again.
Fear protects you, so the aim is not to pretend it is not there. It is to give yourself good reasons to feel safe. Start with protection that fits: a helmet with a grille, a neck guard, gloves, pads, a thigh pad and a box. Kit that slips or pinches adds to the worry. Many batters feel braver as soon as their gear is right.
Build up in small steps. Begin with a tennis ball or a soft ball, then a firmer training ball, then a hard ball at gentle pace. Raise the speed only when you are comfortable. Practise watching the ball all the way, and practise swaying or ducking out of the line of a short ball. Knowing you can get out of the way is one of the biggest sources of confidence. Batting with a plan for each length also helps. That might be leaving, defending, or swaying out of the way of the short one.
Getting hit is part of the game, and it can knock your confidence. After a blow, stop and check the injury. A blow to the head means coming off and following concussion advice before batting again. When you return, go back a step or two in pace and build up again. Coaches and parents can help by praising good watching and footwork, not bravery, and by never forcing a scared child to face pace.
Tips by skill level
Tell your coach you are nervous of the hard ball. Ask to build up from a soft ball and to practise swaying out of the way first.
If a blow has shaken you, return through a short ladder of pace in the nets. Rebuild the habit of watching the ball before facing your quickest bowlers again.
Example
After being hit on the arm in his first hard-ball net, a 12-year-old flinches at every ball. His coach goes back to a soft ball, then a hard ball thrown gently from halfway. Over three weeks he works up to his club's medium pacers.
Why it matters
Fear makes batters back away, close their eyes and play false shots. Managing it lets your technique work.
Common mistakes
- Jumping straight to fast bowling with a hard ball
- Batting in kit that does not fit
- Taking your eyes off the ball at the moment of fear
- Carrying on after a blow to the head instead of stopping
Frequently asked questions
How do I stop being scared of getting hit by the ball?
Make sure your protective kit fits, then build up slowly from a soft ball to a hard ball at gentle pace. Practise watching the ball and swaying out of the way. Raise the pace only when you feel comfortable.
How do I get my confidence back after being hit by a cricket ball?
Get the injury checked first, and follow concussion advice after any blow to the head. Then go back a step in pace in the nets and build up gradually.
My child is scared of the hard ball, what should I do?
Do not force them. Check their kit fits and ask the coach to build up from a soft ball. Praise good watching and footwork rather than bravery.
Related terms
- Backing Away to LegBacking away to leg means moving away from the line of the ball, towards the leg side, as it is bowled. It is usually a fear response to pace or short bowling. It leaves you reaching for the ball with your weight going away. Well-fitted protective gear, gradual practice with softer balls and a plan for the short ball all help.
- Playing Fast BowlingTo play fast bowling, finish any trigger movement before the ball is released so you are still and balanced. Watch the ball from the hand, decide forward or back early and play the ball late under your eyes. Leave balls outside off stump and have a clear plan for the short ball.
- Cricket Helmet and Neck GuardA cricket helmet with a faceguard or grille protects the head and face from the ball. A neck guard, or stem guard, attaches to the back of the helmet to protect the upper neck. Rules vary by country and level. In England and Wales, under-18s must wear a helmet with a faceguard or grille when batting against a hard ball.
- Batting Pads, Gloves and Protective GearTo bat against a hard ball you need a helmet, batting pads, batting gloves and a box (abdominal guard). Most batters add a thigh pad. An arm guard, chest guard and inner thigh pad give extra protection against pace. Make sure every piece fits and lets you move freely.
- Concussion After a Blow to the HeadIf a batter is hit on the head or helmet and might be concussed, they should stop playing straight away. If in doubt, sit them out. They should be assessed by a healthcare professional within 24 hours. Under ECB recreational guidelines, there is no return to competitive cricket for at least 21 days after a confirmed concussion. Severe warning signs, such as repeated vomiting or worsening drowsiness, need emergency care.
Cricket analysis is in development
Motion Lab does not analyze this sport yet. Keep exploring the terms in this section.