Rethinking Fast Bowling: The Impact of Surfaces, Kinetic Chains, and Winter Training

I see so many bowlers today who are “shoulder bowlers,” relying almost entirely on their upper bodies to deliver the ball. Their kinetic chain—the sequence of coordinated movements from feet to fingertips—is broken, which has a detrimental effect on performance. When only a few links in the chain are engaged, success becomes dependent on perfect rhythm. This puts excessive strain on certain parts of the body, particularly the shoulders, lower back and elbow to compensate for inefficiencies elsewhere.

For instance, if a bowler doesn’t pre-turn, lands heavily on the back foot, or has ankle issues (like spurs or Achilles tendonitis), the upper body must compensate for the “leakage” in power further down the chain. As a result, the bowler must rely more on strength than on rhythm and coordinated movement.

“The more flaws you have in your action, the stronger you need to be.”

This explains why some technically flawed bowlers succeed through sheer strength, while others with efficient kinetic chains achieve power from the sum of all parts. The latter approach is far more effective and sustainable.

This brings me to a key question: Could winter indoor bowling on hard surfaces contribute to ankle issues, poor actions, and long-term injuries? My decade-long struggle with Achilles tendonitis suggests a strong link. Winter training on hard indoor surfaces can be a silent culprit, disrupting the kinetic chain and creating long-lasting flaws.

The Impact of Surfaces on Athletic Development

An enlightening example comes from sprinting, as noted by the legendary coach Charlie Francis. Jamaican sprinters like Usain Bolt and Asafa Powell trained extensively on grass, a softer yet stable surface. Francis observed two benefits:

1. Strengthened Muscles and Tendons: Grass helped develop the muscles and connective tissues below the knee, including the calves, ankles, and feet.

2. Tendon Tuning: The softer ground encouraged tendons to stiffen, optimising power and elasticity during ground contact.

Conversely, hard surfaces tend to soften tendons, making them “lazy.” When athletes transitioned from grass to harder tracks, they were better prepared for competition—stronger, more elastic, and less injury-prone. Similar principles can and should be applied to fast bowling. Training on the right surfaces at the right time can significantly improve tendon health, robustness, and performance.

Periodising Surfaces for Bowlers

A structured approach to winter training can address both injury prevention and performance. By periodizing bowling surfaces, bowlers can build volume safely while reducing stress on the ankles and Achilles tendon. Here’s how I recommend structuring surface-based training:

Phase 1: Soft Surface Development (Early Winter)

? Outdoor Grass Bowling: Tempo bowling at ~70% effort on a football field in spikes.

? Indoor Training: Low-impact static drills to refine kinetic chain sequencing.

Phase 2: Intermediate Cushioning (Mid-Winter)

? Hard Surface with Added Cushioning: For example, bowling on gym mats or SAQ Aerofloor technology. This setup reduces impact while allowing full-run bowling.

? Indoor Training: Moderate-intensity kinetic chain drills, walk-throughs, and grooving techniques. High-volume tempo bowling is limited to cushioned surfaces.

Phase 3: Competition Preparation (Late Winter/Early Spring)

? Outdoor Nets: High-intensity bowling on hard outdoor wickets. Alternate high-intensity days with tempo bowling for volume.

? Surface-Specific Work: Minimal use of overly hard indoor surfaces, unless briefly used for overload training closer to competition.

Addressing Technical Flaws in Winter Training

From a performance standpoint, technical flaws in a bowler’s action can often be traced back to the Achilles tendon and the back foot’s role in the kinetic chain. Here are the most common issues I see:

1. Lack of Pre-Turn: Reduces power transfer from the hips.

2. Overextended Bowling Circle: Poor timing and upper-lower body coordination.

3. Inefficient Run-Up: Lack of momentum and athleticism affects the delivery phase.

4. Poor Feet Alignment: “Tightrope” bowling instead of “train track” alignment.

When these flaws are left unaddressed, bowlers often rely on raw effort rather than rhythm, coordination, and efficiency. A planned, surface-specific winter program can tackle these issues head-on while safeguarding against injury.

The Bigger Picture: Redefining Winter Bowling Programs

Fast bowlers today are, in my opinion, underprepared. Too much emphasis is placed on general fitness (like shuttle runs or 400m intervals) at the expense of bowling-specific work. While over-bowling is a legitimate concern, the solution isn’t to avoid bowling but to plan it more intelligently.

Here are three primary reasons I see bowlers breaking down:

1. Lack of General Strength: Poor athletic robustness.

2. Poor Feet Alignment: Technical flaws exacerbated by hard surfaces.

3. Bowling on Hard Indoor Surfaces: Leading to tendon and joint issues.

These issues aren’t insurmountable. With better coaching, smarter training plans, and attention to surfaces, we can develop stronger, faster, and more resilient bowlers.

Final Thoughts

The Achilles tendon plays a critical role in fast bowling, and its health is closely tied to the surfaces we train on. Winter training must balance technical drills, surface variety, and workload progression to prepare bowlers for the demands of the season. The goal is to ensure bowlers hit the competition phase in peak condition—not breaking down before the first ball of the season.

This requires forward-thinking coaching, borrowing principles from other sports, and embracing innovation like surface periodisation. Injuries in pre-season or early competition are often a reflection of poor planning during the winter months. By controlling the controllables, we can set our bowlers up for long-term success.

Think smart. Train smarter. Be a leader, not a follower.