Jos Buttler reveals the principles behind the most groundbreaking batting approach in English cricket.
Mastering the Basics of Hitting like Buttler
The set-up
When it comes to a one-day game, I prefer to position myself right in the middle of the crease, guarding the stumps. During a four-day match, I position myself slightly towards the middle and off, allowing me to have a clear understanding of the location of my off stump. This positioning also enables me to confidently leave any deliveries outside my body, while I trust my abilities to strike straight deliveries.
I strive to maintain a relaxed and effortless posture, with a strong desire to maintain clear visibility of the ball. When I position myself at an angle, I observe the protective barrier as the bowler is delivering the ball. I am willing to share my thoughts because, without a clear understanding of the situation, my chances of success are slim. I'm slightly open and positioned close to mid-on, which helps maintain a good head position.
Reflecting on the past to propel into the future
When I activate, my rear foot retreats while my front foot advances slightly, although not to the same extent as Joe Root, who really pulls his back foot far back before propelling it forward. Shifting in reverse and then propelling myself forward aids in generating momentum for my shots. It's similar to a baseball strategy, where you prepare and then return to strike the ball. I have the option to remain in my current position, but returning to my starting point provides me with an extra boost of motivation to gather my strength and energy before propelling myself towards the desired target of the ball's trajectory.
Smashing right through it
When I'm at the plate, my goal is to anticipate the ball's arrival and make contact slightly ahead of time, aiming to generate power and drive the ball with force. Ensuring that I maintain stability is crucial.
Align your thoughts!
There is a plethora of technical knowledge to grasp, but it is equally important to cultivate a positive mindset. You must possess the conviction to be confident in your ability to hit sixes. Whenever I step up to face a ball, I remind myself that my extensive training has equipped me with the skills to capitalise on any opportunity. Suppose the bowler happens to miss their yorker and presents me with a perfect delivery. In that case, it doesn't matter if mid-on and mid-off are positioned deep because I am confident in my ability to clear them effortlessly.
The Butler Reverse-Sweep
The reverse sweep feels more intuitive to me compared to a regular sweep, likely due to my inclination towards my right side. These are the six tips that I always try to remember:
- I consider the shot to be a squash backhand, as the motion is quite similar, and it feels natural for me as a right-handed player.
- My hands reach a considerable height, and I struggle to extend them fully towards the ground. I remain upright, which I discover propels my mind even more forward
- It is crucial for my head to extend beyond my knee, allowing ample room for my hands to manoeuvre. When I lower myself, my head is pushed back, and my knee becomes an obstacle.
- I perceive the shot as a single-handed movement. My cricket technique tends to rely heavily on the bottom hand, but this shot is relatively straightforward to execute.
- When facing fast bowlers, the trajectory of the ball plays a crucial role in determining your shot selection. If it's a bit broader, consider outsmarting the fielder positioned towards the left of the short third man.
- When the bowler approaches to bowl, I swiftly adjust my grip and then fully commit. If the ball is directed towards the leg side, it will likely travel in front of the square. Therefore, the trajectory is determined by the line you choose to follow.
STRATEGY
Explore your options
You observe the surroundings, analysing the bowler's intentions and strategising your approach.
When facing an off-spinner, it's not uncommon for the opposing team to position a fielder at mid-wicket, a short third man, and a cover just outside the circle during the initial stages of my innings. Personally, a shot towards mid-wicket usually results in a simple single or two for me. However, when there's a fielder positioned at mid-wicket, I am unable to execute that strategy. In such cases, I resort to using the reverse sweep, which forces the bowler to adjust their fielding by either bringing the fielder over to the off-side or making the deep cover fielder move all the way around to third man. This creates an opportunity for me to exploit the off-side and aim for hitting through extra cover.
You may be wondering what is the purpose of playing the shot . Perhaps you're attempting to execute the shot to shift the fielder positioned towards deep cover. Still alternatively, I can opt to hit the ball towards extra cover or consider repositioning the fielder at mid-wicket or fine leg to enable a paddle sweep and rotate the strike.
Every shot carries significance
That's why I believe that with sufficient dedication and skill, there's no obstacle preventing you from executing the shot when you enter the field and notice that there's only one fielder positioned at short third man. By playing the shot, you can force the opposition captain to quickly reposition a fielder, resulting in a boundary for your team.
Blocking the first two balls can lead to the opposition captain recognising the need for a boundary and adjusting the field accordingly. This can limit the batter's options, leaving them with only one opportunity to score out of three balls. In contrast, I could potentially score four runs off just one ball, putting immense pressure on the opposition and providing me with straightforward scoring opportunities.
Small steps
It's incredibly challenging to attempt a scoop shot against a skilled bowler. Take the time to truly consider, 'Okay, what steps do I need to take in order to reach that goal?'
Similar to honing your driving skills, you could have someone gently toss you a few balls to get started, and then you can continue practising on your own. It's similar to all the creative shots; you truly need to begin with the fundamentals.
Prior to a match, I engage in a routine where I practise various shots and have someone gently toss the ball to me. This helps me train my body to execute the specific movements I aim to achieve.