How to measure how fast you bowl?

[no1_gangsta_786]

I recently saw in this forum how you could measure how fast you bowl using a stopwatch and calculator but have forgotten how to do it?

Could someone please tell me how it is done again please?
Thanks.

 

[The Baconator]

Copied from the Cricket Web coaching section:


Finally, we've got everything sorted out - so how fast do you actually bowl? Naturally, the best thing possible to use would be a radar gun - however they're not generally widely available to clubs and schools - but there is a simple way that needs just a stopwatch and a calculator (or maths geek) to provide approximate results. Start the stopwatch when the ball is released, and then stop it again when either the batsman hits (or misses) it, then divide 45 (or 72) by your answer to get your answer in miles per hour (or kilometres). For example, a delivery timed at 1 second has travelled at about 45mph (72kph). To break the magical 100mph (160kph) barrier, the clock must register at 0.45 seconds. Once you get used to working the timer, you will get surprisingly consistent results. I've found that standing at the back of the net, either directly behind or just to the side, gets the best results.

 

[no1_gangsta_786]

Thanks for the quick reply.

 

[no1_gangsta_786]

im baffled........how does it work......i did it and it came out like 2mph

 

[pakster]

im baffled........how does it work......i did it and it came out like 2mph

Maybe you're a slow bowler?

 

[Scaly piscine]

do 45/(your time in seconds like 0.64 for example), you've probably done it the other way around.

 

[no1_gangsta_786]

im using the stopwatch on my watch.....so thats why im confused.......what stopwatch do you use?

 

[Isolator]

I assume you're supposed to have someone else operating the stopwatch...?

 

[no1_gangsta_786]

No.....im measuring my mate's speed but still aint getting any proper results as i dont get how to do it using my watch

 

[ClownSymonds]

I actually bought a radar gun, but found it hard to get an accurate reading. I suggest using a combination of the stopwatch method and a video camera.

 

[age_master]

I actually bought a radar gun

im sure thats more accurate once you get used to it, maybe ask a cop for some tips?

 

[BlackCap_Fan]

im using the stopwatch on my watch.....so thats why im confused.......what stopwatch do you use?

It doesn't matter what stopwatch you use - just use something that can record split seconds (milliseconds?). Anyway, get your time, and divide 45 by it - say, it was one second. You would do 45 divided by 1 (45/1) = 45 mph.

I guess that someone that is really bored can make a table for this kind of thing.

 

[The Baconator]

I guess that someone that is really bored can make a table for this kind of thing.

Neil's already done it

 

[andyc]

Didn't you ever do physics?

speed=distance/time

But the results will be different from what you see on TV, as they record the speed as the ball is released rather than as it reaches the batsman.

 

[James90]

This would be measuring the average speed though wouldn't it.

 

[ClownSymonds]

You would have to bowl full tosses to get an accurate measurement, since pace drops considerably once the ball pitches. Even then, you're probably not getting good readings, since full tosses don't normally go as fast for people so used to having it bounce.

 

[Arutha]

I used this last week. I'm almost 17 years old, and I got my dad to take my speed ten times, and I got an average of round about 130 km/h?
One ball measured 144 km/h.
Is that possible?

 

[slowfinger]

Another suggestion from the coaching side was to get a car going at the same speed as you bowling and just seeing how fast the car went.

 

[Manee]

I used this last week. I'm almost 17 years old, and I got my dad to take my speed ten times, and I got an average of round about 130 km/h?
One ball measured 144 km/h.
Is that possible?

Always better to get a video and measure the same video a few times to see what the average measurement is.

 

[Top_Cat]

I used this last week. I'm almost 17 years old, and I got my dad to take my speed ten times, and I got an average of round about 130 km/h?
One ball measured 144 km/h.
Is that possible?

Well, hard to doubt you without seeing said video but the only guy I've heard of clocked that fast at that age was Shaun Tait (144Km/h at 17 in a SACA net).