Helmets

[Belnakor]

We all enjoy seeing shots like the ramp shot but when you think about it this shot is really a recipe for disaster. One day a player is going to get it horribly wrong and the ball will catch the edge and deflect into his face probably under the visor. I hope that never happens but I have to admit that I have often thought that the shot relies too much on good judgement. What is of real concern is that a young kid will watch highly experienced players attempting this shot and will try it will devastating results.

the ramp shot is very very dangerous you are bang on. The dhoni "helicopter" is not much better because when you are trying to hit the ball directly into the air the angle means only a slight miscalculation means you are going to wear it.

Having said that wearing a ball in your mouth is probably unlikely to kill you (it will make a mess of your teeth though).

 

[Belnakor]

I wear a helmet (now that really is an illusory piece of equipment as my antagonists are not a small, fast moving ball but vehicles - only one winner there) and occasionally I cycle short distances without one and it is noticeable my levels of fear go up unbelievably. To some extent, the wearing of such equipment is an illusion.

its a bit like the american grid iron effect.

people started using their heads like a battering ram, thinking "gee well i'm wearing a helmet so I should be fine!" which has actually lead to more injuries.

Having said all that, in cricket I think it should be mandatory simply because it doesn't matter how good you are, if you keep playing the hook shot you WILL get hit eventually. Punter got hit a couple of times and he was one of the best players of it in history (yeah towards the end he was hitting in the air too much, but he played it ALOT towards the end because he was being targeted). Even Viv Richards got hit and he never wore a helmet.

 

[ManWithNoName]

its a bit like the american grid iron effect.

people started using their heads like a battering ram, thinking "gee well i'm wearing a helmet so I should be fine!" which has actually lead to more injuries.

Having said all that, in cricket I think it should be mandatory simply because it doesn't matter how good you are, if you keep playing the hook shot you WILL get hit eventually. Punter got hit a couple of times and he was one of the best players of it in history (yeah towards the end he was hitting in the air too much, but he played it ALOT towards the end because he was being targeted). Even Viv Richards got hit and he never wore a helmet.

I remember there being experts saying re: introducing helmets to AFL that the perception of being safer could lead to more injuries.

 

[2Knights]

Doug Walter's famous 103 at the WACA. Watch the pull shots. He plays several vs Bob Willis and Chris Old (not counting pulls vs the spinners). Watch the footwork and head placement. Against short pitched balls on/outside he steps back well back, keeping his head outside the line (toward leg). As he strikes the ball he pivots onto the front foot. The classic pull shot, played with no danger to the batsman.

 

[Doodlesweaver]

the ramp shot is very very dangerous you are bang on. The dhoni "helicopter" is not much better because when you are trying to hit the ball directly into the air the angle means only a slight miscalculation means you are going to wear it.

Having said that wearing a ball in your mouth is probably unlikely to kill you (it will make a mess of your teeth though).

Dangers of the ramp shot have been pointed out continually by commentators. I don't know why any players do it and I can see why most don't.

 

[estibador]

Greg Chappel believes if you want to improve your foot work, to play without pads. He reckons you will remain very focused and never get out lbw.

I wouldn't recommend Chappell's idea to any kids unless they've already mastered playing off their pads.

I grew up playing every afternoon with my brother on our dodgy backyard pitch, and we used a proper cricket ball despite not owning any protective gear other than a pair of old gloves... so we used to jump out of the way whenever one was on our legs (particularly after our Dad ended up with a golf ball sized lump on his shin when he joined us one day).

As a result I never learnt to play off my pads and years later I still struggle to score runs that way, which is a bit embarrassing considering a ball drifting onto the pads is usually free runs for any half decent batsman.

 

[Black Diamond]

The point is without protective padding your only shield is the bat. If you want to score runs/not get hurt you have to hit the ball and therefore will watch it. If you and your mates didn't then that's unfortunate but Chappell's generation grew up without pads and benefited from it.

 

[estibador]

The point is without protective padding your only shield is the bat. If you want to score runs/not get hurt you have to hit the ball and therefore will watch it. If you and your mates didn't then that's unfortunate but Chappell's generation grew up without pads and benefited from it.

Yes I understood his point. The Chappell family are probably a little more naturally talented than your average backyard kid though.

In hindsight I wish we'd started with a softer ball long enough to learn to hit off our legs, and then switched to the hard ball where we could use the fear to refine our technique. If we'd played on a driveway with consistent bounce instead of our minefield pitch it would have made a huge difference to our confidence in trying to play legside too - not sure what sort of backyard pitch the Chappell bros had.

 

[Power Raid]

Yes I understood his point. The Chappell family are probably a little more naturally talented than your average backyard kid though.

In hindsight I wish we'd started with a softer ball long enough to learn to hit off our legs, and then switched to the hard ball where we could use the fear to refine our technique. If we'd played on a driveway with consistent bounce instead of our minefield pitch it would have made a huge difference to our confidence in trying to play legside too - not sure what sort of backyard pitch the Chappell bros had.

just your average backyard wicket prepared by dad

 

[Hellgood]

Looks like Craig Kieswetter is going to have to take a year off to try and sort out an eye injury after a ball snuck through his grill in a T20 match. Has still been playing in the interim and performing adequately but has taken the advice of specialists to attempt to fix it long term. Unclear if it was a fault in the helmets design or the way he had it set up.

http://www.espncricinfo.com/england/content/story/809201.html

 

[Registered User]

not sure what sort of backyard pitch the Chappell bros had.

Ha. Our "pitch" was a driveway with poorly laid wooden tram-line blocks. Talk about a minefield.

 

[Registered User]

Have we mentioned close-in fielders? Surely they could wear helmets that cover more

 

[Damon_3388]

Have we mentioned close-in fielders? Surely they could wear helmets that cover more

If I was fielding at short leg, I'd want to be wearing a motorcycle helmet. Would care how bloody stupid it looks or seems.

 

[Power Raid]

If I was fielding at short leg, I'd want to be wearing a motorcycle helmet. Would care how bloody stupid it looks or seems.

made in Australia

 

[Registered User]

How about batsmens' helmets having something around the back/bottom that has some give in it, so as not to be too restrictive, like a thick Kevlar flap (or similar)? I dunno..
The top of pads obviously move, but still provide some protection. It's gotta be a lot better than nothing

 

[Adz]

Another near miss.

http://sen.lu/1xFLKQ2