About the SWINGA™ Technique Ball
The hardest skill to coach in cricket is how to play the moving ball.
Before the SWINGA™, the only way to practise against the swinging ball was to buy a brand-new leather cricket ball at anywhere between $20 and $70, only for the shine to come off almost immediately in the nets. When the shine goes, so does the swing.
That is why I created the SWINGA™. I built it to sit as close to a new ball as possible — the same size as a regulation men's cricket ball, the same bounce off the wicket, a similar degree of swing, and near-identical feel off the bat. I didn't want it doing anything unrealistic. But unlike leather, where the lacquer wears off within a session, the SWINGA™ never stops swinging, won't go out of shape, and still works in the wet.
I also made sure it has a bit of give in it, so it isn't going to damage a $1,000 bat the way a hard training ball will.
There are now more than 50,000 SWINGA™ balls in use worldwide.
What it does for your players
Bowlers get instant feedback. If the wrist isn't behind the ball it won't swing, so a bowler feels a good release straight away.
Batters can face a swinging ball for hours instead of a couple of overs. Harder work, and that is the point — if we are challenging ourselves, we are getting better.
Coaches get a proper contest at throwdowns. You are genuinely trying to get them out, and the players know it.
Two weights
The 146 g gives you the most swing and is the easier of the two to get moving — underarms, overarms, throwdowns, all flingers and bowling machines.
The 156 g is senior men's weight. It swings a little less, but comes off the bat closest to a real leather ball, and it is the one higher-level players tend to prefer.
About Aaron Lilly
Cricket is in my blood, having played WACA First Grade for a decade alongside international cricketers such as Cameron Green, Nathan Coulter-Nile, Jason Behrendorff and Marcus Stoinis at Subiaco-Floreat Cricket Club.
I'm also a qualified teacher and have coached junior and senior cricket for the last 20 years. I am passionate about helping players improve and become the best cricketers they can be.