The Jump and Gather connects your Run Up to the start of your fast bowling action. It gives you "hang-time" in the air to help get your body into position ahead of Back Foot Contact.

Chris Jordan bowling for Sussex CCC (original) - Photo © Danny Simpson

WHY IS A GOOD JUMP & GATHER IMPORTANT?

A good Jump and Gather continues the momentum from your Run Up into your bowling action, and gets your body into an aligned position before you bowl. The more momentum you can transfer into your bowling action - and the better the position you get into - the faster and straighter you can bowl.

Katherine Brunt, England fast bowler, mid-jump (original) - Photo © Danny Simpson

On the other hand, a poor Jump and Gather can cause you to lose pace and become less accurate, as well as increase your injury risk. It is a simple part of your bowling action that can help or hinder you from bowling fast and straight, depending on how well you do it.

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HOW DO YOU JUMP & GATHER EFFECTIVELY?

An effective Jump and Gather should:

Jump in a straight line towards your target

Jump forwards rather than up

Keep your arms and legs within a body-width channel

Use your "hang-time" to turn your body into position (if you're a Side-On or Midway bowler)

Right Handed Bowlers - jump from your LEFT foot and land on your RIGHT foot

Left Handed Bowlers - jump from your RIGHT foot and land on your LEFT foot

JUMP & GATHER PRACTICE DRILL

STRAIGHT JUMP DRILL​

1. Create a straight channel using cones or pick a line on the floor 2. Run Up in a straight line towards your target 3. Jump forward towards your target in a straight line between the lines/cones 4. Keep your arms and cricket ball close to your body while in the air 5. Bowl the ball and follow through towards your target in a straight line

COMMON ISSUES WITH THE JUMP & GATHER

You may experience some of the following issues with your Jump and Gather which could prevent you from bowling fast or put you at risk of an injury during practice or cricket matches:

JUMPING TOO HIGH

Jumping too high slows you down and reduces the transfer of momentum from your Run Up into your fast bowling action. This makes your bowling slower or, in order to still bowl fast, your body may compensate later in your action which can increase your risk of injury.

JUMPING IN OR OUT AT AN ANGLE

Jumping in or out at a big angle can make it harder to bowl fast and straight as your body is not moving in a straight line towards your target. Your body may have to bend sideways to help your arm move in a straight line, putting you at higher risk of lower back injuries.

HOPPING

Hopping slows you down as you enter your fast bowling action which limits how much momentum you can transfer from your Run Up. As a result your bowling may be slow and erratic as this is not the most efficient way to bowl.

SUMMARY - JUMP & GATHER

The Jump and Gather sets your body into position ahead of Back Foot Contact

Jump towards your target in a straight line - avoid jumping in or out

Jump and land on different feet

Jump forwards rather than up to continue the momentum from your Run Up

Keep your arms and the ball within a body-width channel

FAST BOWLERS TO WATCH

Billy Stanlake (AUS, 152.8 km/h) Tymal Mills (ENG, 151.3 km/h) Stuart Broad (ENG, 144.0 km/h) Mitchell Starc (AUS, 160.4 km/h) Katherine Brunt (ENG-W, 123.9 km/h)

Katherine Brunt (ENG) Jump & Gather @ 15s

Stuart Broad (ENG) Jump & Gather @ 30s