Execute, Implement and Learn

Shot Efficiency

Shot efficiency is the correlation between Max Bat Speed achieved while playing a shot and the Speed at Impact (bat speed during the point at which it makes contact with the bat). There is a direct correlation between the two, meaning, when both elements are in equal degrees, the efficiency is 100. This element is important to understand the timing efficiency and how it can be greatly improved by helping lessen the gap between the two corresponding elements.

Eg: For a shot, Max Bat Speed achieved = 55. And the Speed at Impact = 50. Then the Shot Efficiency is 91. Whereas when Max Bat Speed achieved = 55 and the Speed at Impact is also 55, then the Shot Efficiency is 100.

Mark Says: Hit the ball later. If you hit the ball during the latter stage the downswing of your bat (later) then you will carry high bat speed into the contact point. If you hit the ball early then your bat will be in the follow through zone. Follow through is when we are decelerating the bat. Players who play the ball early are generally decelerating their bat into the contact point

Rotation At Impact

Vertical Shots

The angle of rotation at the point of impact if the bat face is opened (off side) are negative angles. If the bat face is closed (on side) during impact are positive angles. Bowler end stumps is considered as zero.

Horizontal Shots

The angle of rotation around the handle of the bat at the point of impact with the ball when the player is hitting the shot. This is the wrist motion which determines if the bat face was open or closed and to what degree at the time of impact with the ball. This angle helps determine if the shot was played on air or on ground.

Follow Through Angle

Angle of the follow through with respect to the bat being held vertically. This is measured from the time of impact onwards until the bat finishes its follow-through. Follow-through angle is very important to hold balance after playing a shot. Coaches insist on having a complete follow through after playing a shot, especially the drives. Follow-through angles depict in degree the amount of momentum generated after impacting the ball. It has a strong relation with the distance the ball travels and these degrees help to understand the average follow-through a batsman possesses.

Mark Says: Most top quality players have adaptable follow through angles and display these throughout an innings. Straight drives along the ground past pace bowlers tend to have shorter follow through angles whereas, more typically, batters display fuller follow through angles when driving the ball through the covers, square of the wicket or when hitting the ball straight over a spinners head. BatSense provides feedback on each and every follow through building awareness and understanding with each shot. Batters can then be more in control of their shots and therefore, their game. The key thing is to recognize the opportunity and adapt your follow through option accordingly.

Speed At Impact

The speed of the bat (in kmph) at the point of impact with the ball. The bat starts from point A and finishes at point B, therefore has different speeds at different points. And the ball impacts the bat somewhere during the course of its swing from A to B. The speed of the bat when the ball impacts it, is called Speed at Impact and this is crucial for the relationship it possesses with Max Speed Bat parameter and how it influences the Average Shot efficiency parameter.

Mark Says: Player with a very high Max Bat Speed parameter can still struggle to get the ball to go far as he might be playing the shot too early or too late. This can be accurately circled in on with the help of Speed at Impact data for each shot.

Impact Angle

The angle that the bat makes with the ground vertically at the time of impact with the ball. This angle helps to measure whether the ball is hit on the ground or in the air. This element is crucial in understanding a batsman's tendency to play either on the ground or in the air. The angle is measured in degree and is shown negative if played in the air and positive in facing towards the ground at the time of impact.

Mark Says: Impact Angle (Launch Angle): we know that a 40-42 degree launch angle is most likely range to enable a batter to hit the ball for 6. It provides the largest margin for error and is the angle range associated with the biggest sixes on vertical batted shots. We also know that a negative degree impact angle enables the ball to be hit into the ground. I often tell players “to keep the ball along the ground or hit it out of the ground....that is attacking batting, nothing in between”. BatSense enables the batter to track their impact angle metrics against that simple batting fundamental.