Right, this is off the ECB CA website
Turns out the directives actually include practice sessions as well...
NB - Long Post - 136 more characters (it's 9864) and it would have exceeded the size limit!
FAST BOWLING DIRECTIVES 2003
The fast bowling Directives are designed to raise awareness of the need to nurture and protect our young fast bowlers through their formative years, and have been warmly welcomed by a significant number of coaches and managers. Statistics clearly show that fast bowlers regularly win International matches, and if England is to achieve the vision of becoming the most successful and respected cricket nation, we must make every effort to produce bowlers to reach the goal.
I would like to thank those involved in the development of talented fast bowlers for their observations and constructive feedback regarding the initiative. Most of the concerns surrounded the policing of the regulations and the legal implications. The process of monitoring the Directives was always likely to be a challenge, but as coaches we should consider the welfare of the individuals under our supervision, the regulations are designed to minimise the possibility of injury. The more coaches, managers, captains, players, umpires and parents we can enroll in the principles, the more chance we have of successfully implementing the proposals. As regards the legal implications, in an age of increasing litigation coaches should ensure they are fully insured. Compliance with the Directives will reduce any chance of legal action.
The regulations are specifically aimed at the long term development of fast bowlers from the play ground to the 'Test' arena, so it would be unfair to claim a significant impact upon injury prevention after three seasons, however, one County which followed the Directives closely reported no incidents of spinal injury to their fast bowlers in Junior squads in 2001, after several years of chronic back complaints.
The Directives will again relate to all competitions under the auspices of the ECB at Under 19 level and below as well as all Premier League matches. It should be emphasised that the age of the player is the key criteria, and not the level of cricket being played. The restrictions will be reviewed annually, and the Directives are unchanged for the 2003 season.
I look forward to your continued support of this initiative, and your contributions to the development of talented young fast bowlers.
Hugh Morris
Performance Director
England & Wales Cricket Board
April 2003
INJURY PREVENTION FOR FAST BOWLERS
These directives apply to girls and boys, and any reference to he/his should be interpreted to include she/her.
For the purpose of these Directives a fast bowler should be defined as a bowler to whom a wicket keeper in the same age group would in normal circumstances stand back to take the ball.
All coaches are urged to identify those players with the potential to bowl fast and to insure they follow the Directives in all cricket throughout the season.
There are four main areas to be aware of when assessing injury risk to fast bowlers:
1. Overbowling 2. Technique
3. Physical Preparation 4. Equipment
1. OVERBOWLING:
This is an important consideration especially for young bowlers whose bodies are not fully developed. Recent studies have revealed that overbowling is the most common cause of back injuries in this country. Evidence suggest that much of the damage occurs early in the playing career, and especially during growth spurts, though the effects do not often show themselves until the late teens. The more talented and more physically mature youngsters are generally most at risk, as they tend to play at more than one age group level.
To ensure that young fast bowlers do not place undue stress on their bodies, every attempt must be made to keep the amount of bowling within reasonable limits. The following Directives provide sensible playing and training levels.
DIRECTIVES FOR MATCHES:
AGE: MAX OVERS PER SPELL MAX OVERS PER DAY
Up to 13 4 overs per spell 8 overs per day
U14, U15 5 overs per spell 10 overs per day
U16, U17 6 overs per spell 18 overs per day
U18, U19 7 overs per spell 21 overs per day
DIRECTIVES FOR PRACTICE SESSIONS:
AGE: MAX BALLS PER SESSION MAX SESSIONS PER WEEK
Up to 13 30 balls per session 2 sessions per week
U14, U15 36 balls per session 2 sessions per week
U16, U17 36 balls per session 3 sessions per week
U18, U19 42 balls per session 3 sessions per week
These figures are based on players bowling in no more than 3 matches or practice session per week for age groups up to and including U15, and 4 matches or practice sessions per week for age groups up to and including U19. Players can play in other matches provided they do not bowl.
Having completed a spell the bowler cannot bowl again, from either end, until the equivalent number of overs to the length of his spell have been bowled from the same end. A bowler can change ends without ending his current spell provided that he bowls the next over that he legally can from the other end. If this does not happen his spell is deemed to be concluded. If play is interrupted, for any reason, for less than 40 minutes any spell in progress at the time of the interruption can be continued after the interruption up to the maximum number of overs per spell for the appropriate age group. If the spell is not continued after the interruption the bowler cannot bowl again, from either end, until the equivalent number of overs to the length of his spell before the interruption have been bowled from the same end. If the interruption is of 40 minutes or more, whether scheduled or not, the bowler can commence a new spell immediately.
Once a bowler covered by these Directives has bowled in a match he cannot exceed the maximum number overs per day for his age group even if he subsequently bowls spin. He can exceed the maximum overs per spell if bowling spin, but cannot then revert to bowling fast until an equivalent number of overs to the length of his spell have been bowled from he same end. If he bowls spin without exceeding the maximum number of overs in a spell the maximum will apply as soon as he reverts to bowling fast.
NETS:
Outdoor:
The emphasis on all nets should be quality rather than quantity. These Directives will encourage young fast bowlers to focus their efforts on shorter, more intensive spells. Consequently young fast bowlers should be made aware of the importance of warming up and warming down as part of their preparation.
Indoor:
In the period between the end of the cricket season and Christmas, indoor practise for fast bowlers should be kept to an ABSOLUTE MINIMUM. The following highlights the risk of playing/practising on hard surfaces such as solid concrete and shows how these forces can be reduced by using appropriate mats or indeed by practising on grass. Concrete offers 0% force absorption whereas grass can offer up to 75%. The 34% offered by natural turf was measured at Trent Bridge on a rock hard Test Match pitch. These figures have major implications for limiting indoor work in the Winter, particularly for seamers, and for ensuring that length and intensity of sessions are considered when working on the harder surfaces.
Force Absorption and Surfaces:
Concrete: 0% force reduction
Uniturf on concrete: 7% force reduction
Uniturf + mat: 15% force reduction
Uniturf + 2 mats: 31% force reduction
Natural turf: 34% force reduction
Synthetic + underlay: 49% force reduction.
2. TECHNIQUE:
It is crucial that bowlers are encouraged to adopt a safe action early in their development. Bowlers should either have a SIDE-ON, a FRONT-ON or a 'MIDWAY/NEUTRAL' action, but SHOULD NEVER MIX THE ACTIONS. The mixed actions (of which there are two main types) are a major cause of back injuries, because they cause an unnecessary spinal twist. Excessive hyperextension of the back during the delivery stride is also a contributing factor.
For further clarification of mixed actions consult the 'Rover Cricket Coaches Manual' pages 3.9-22, or an appropriately qualified cricket coach.
3. PHYSICAL PREPARATION:
A well structured, cricket specific training programme is essential to develop and maintain the strength, endurance and flexibility required for fast bowling. It is one of the most injury-liable non-contact activities in sport and the need for the fast bowlers to be amongst the fittest and best prepared players in the team cannot be over emphasised. Bowlers should WARM UP and STRETCH thoroughly before bowling and training, and should WARM DOWN and STRETCH afterwards. A good warm up helps to encourage a more professional approach, helps team spirit and can actually improve performance. It also helps to reduce the chance of an injury occurring.
4. EQUIPMENT:
Impact forces of up to 8 times body weight can be experienced during the delivery stride. Without the appropriate footwear, these forces must be absorbed y the feet, ankles, knees and lower back of the bowler. It is therefore essential that bowlers minimise these effects by absorbing them with the use of efficient, well-fitting, cushioned boots or shoes and if required, absorbent insoles. The use of running shoes, basketball-type boots or good cross trains is also essential as they are designed to cope with the types of forces experienced when bowling on hard surfaces.
The year starting date of midnight on the previous 31st August is assumed throughout these Directives.
More information regarding these Directives can be found in the ECB's Coach's Manual.
Copies of these Directives and ECB Coach's Manuals are available by calling ECB Publications on 0113 263 4844.