Understanding the physics of hitting a ball is complex. Yet, if it is not understood, how can it be trained? Here I am going to give a brief run down of the factors at play, and which factors you can control, train and improve, in order to hit the ball harder and further.
Firstly, we need to understand a few principles.
Force: The result of an interaction between 2 objects - For example the contact of a cricket bat on a cricket ball.
The equation used to calculate force is:
Force = Mass x Acceleration
Power: The rate at which work is done or energy is transmitted - For example the swing of a cricket bat from point A to point B.
Work occurs when there is force causing movement of an object. For example, when a person is pressing against a brick wall, force is created, but no work is being done and no power created because the wall does not move. However, if a person pushes on a table and moves it, then there is work. Power expresses how quickly that work is done.
The equation used to calculate power is:
Power = Work done / Time taken
Based on this equation, you can increase the total power output by either increasing the “work”, or by decreasing the time this “work” takes to perform. If we were to look at an example from a gym setting:
Person A deadlifts 100kg and it takes 2 seconds to perform the movement
Person B also deadlifts 100kg, however only takes 1 second to perform the movement.
Person B would be considered to have performed a more powerful movement.
Now let’s apply this theory to cricket. When we are batting in T20 cricket, and trying to score runs, we are trying to impart a high force upon the ball, i.e. hit the ball hard. As we have learnt above - Force= Mass x Acceleration and Power = Force / Time. So therefore our new power equation is Power = (Mass x acceleration) / time.
Now just to complicate this even more, we need to consider the direction of the forces created. The nature of the majority of human movements is that we don’t move in a linear fashion (unless your sport of choice is snooker). Most sports, where power is necessary, rely on a rotational component. When describing rotational force, the term used is torque.
Torque is defined as the rotational equivalent of linear force. Newton’s 2nd law of motion (Force = Mass x Acceleration), is modified slightly when dealing with rotational forces instead of linear forces. The equation changes to Force = Mass x Radius x Acceleration. When you substitute this back into the equation for power, you get -
Power = (Mass x Radius x Acceleration) / Time
These are the 4 variables that you can use to your advantage to increase your power.
Increase the weight of the cricket bat
Increase the radius of your swing arc. When you swing the bat you will create a circular path known as the swing arc. The greater the swing arc, the greater the radius.
Increase the acceleration of your bat swing
Decrease the time it takes you to swing the bat, from commencement of swing to contact point
There are other factors at play that will affect how far the ball will travel. These include
Launch angle - 37-42 degrees is optimal for 6 hitting.
Bat spin in your hands at contact - more bat spin = less power
Contact point on the bat - “sweet spot” = more power
Bowling speed
Now that we have arrived at the variables that can be analysed, trained and improved, it's time to put this into action. Learning what you need to do to improve is one thing, actually putting in the work is another. In order to create explosive and powerful movements, you need to train this way. Your cookie cutter gym program just won’t cut it. Nor will your club coach who is often heard saying “keep it in the nets” or “the goal of this net session is to not get out”. If you want to improve, you have to explore your boundaries (pun intended).
Does your coach consider physics and biomechanics when putting together your program? Does your training program address the variables which will determine how powerful you are and therefore how many boundaries you can hit?
If you want to increase your power and hit the ball harder, send us a message and let us help you take your game to the next level!
If you’d like to chat further about any of these topics, please send us a message on the contact us tab.
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