Posted by Michael Jeh 1 day, 5 hours ago in Michael Jeh
John Inverarity has bowled me a doosra today with his comments about the doosra and integrity. I’m genuinely not sure which way to play this one.
That he is a gentleman and a scholar there can be no doubt. His reputation as man of decency and integrity allows him the privilege of making a comment such as this with some immunity from anyone looking to take cheap shots at him. From that perspective, reading his words carefully, I can draw no hint of mischief or hypocrisy in his brave statement. Perhaps a long bow could be drawn to infer that he is pointing fingers at some bowlers but I genuinely think that to do so would be to do the gentleman an injustice. Clearly he believes that the doosra has the potential to corrupt bowling actions and he would prefer to see the Australian bowling contingent shy away from that technique. Fair enough too if that is his genuine belief.
On the other hand, I also believe that it may be a bit naïve on the part of Australian cricket, if Inverarity is speaking on behalf of the institution rather than as an individual, to encourage a policy that is clearly going to disadvantage Australia to this extent. Put simply, the doosra is arguably the most potent bowling weapon in modern cricket. Especially in limited overs cricket, it is probably the single most influential factor in giving bowling teams a sniff of hope. The fast bowlers have proved woefully inadequate in coming up with anything new to stem the flow of boundaries. In fact, their skill level has actually dropped some considerable level, evidenced by the steady diet of full tosses that are served up at least once an over when under pressure. So the doosra and the variations that followed (carrom ball) can lay claim to being the most influential game-changer. When a bowler with a good doosra comes on to bowl, I immediately sit up and take notice because there is always the chance that a game can be turned on its head. Since Shane Warne led the new spin revolution, nothing has excited me more in the bowling stakes than the perfection of the various types of doosra.
That is why I am slightly flummoxed by Inverarity’s stance on it. Whilst not necessarily agreeing with his inference that it may lead to illegal actions, I respect his integrity enough to accept his point in the spirit it was intended. However, to encourage Australian spinners to not learn the art form is possibly putting principle before pragmatism. That in itself is admirable if it were applied universally but no country, least of all Australia, has ever applied this morality on a ‘whole of cricket’ basis so what makes the doosra so special? Is Inverarity suggesting that Australian cricket should now make decisions on the basis of integrity or is the doosra singled out as the one issue where we apply the Integrity Test? If so, is it any coincidence that we don’t really have anyone who can bowl the doosra with any great proficiency and will that change on the day we discover our own Doosra Doctor?
All countries have their own inconsistencies to be ashamed of so I’m not suggesting that Australia is alone in this regard. Far from it. Living in Australia, I just get to see a lot more of the local cricketing news so I’m better qualified to make comment on Australian examples. A few examples spring to mind….let’s think back to the times when we prepared turning tracks in the 1980s to beat the West Indies. A fair enough tactic too so long as there’s no complaints if other teams prepare pitches to suit their strengths. Similarly, I recall a period during the late 1990s when Australian teams insisted on having their fielder’s word accepted when a low catch had been taken. That theory worked OK until Andy Bichel claimed a caught and bowled off Michael Vaughan in the 2002/03 Ashes series when replays showed it had clearly bounced in front of him. I know Bich quite well and he is as honest as they come so it was genuinely a case of him thinking it had carried when in fact it hadn’t. Around that same period, Justin Langer refused to walk when caught by Brian Lara at slip, despite the Australian mantra that a fielder’s word was his bond. They come no more honourable than Lara in this regard so what happened to the principle? Like all matters of convenience, it is admirable but rarely works when it becomes an inconvenient truth.
And that is the source of my confusion with linking the doosra to the question of integrity. I’m not convinced that the integrity issue will stand the test of time if Australia accidentally discovers a home-grown exponent of this delivery. Likewise the issue of the switch-hit. Now that Dave Warner plays it as well as anyone, are we opposed to this too on integrity grounds? If Warner hadn’t mastered the shot, would that too be something that we would not encourage because it perhaps bent the spirit of cricket?
Only time will tell whether Inverarity’s wisdom and guidance will be mirrored by those in the organisation with perhaps less integrity and more pragmatism in their veins. I suspect it will take more than one decent man to stop an irresistible force. His motives may be pure indeed but I suspect that this is one issue that will turn the other way!
Showing posts with label technique. Show all posts
Showing posts with label technique. Show all posts
Sunday 28 October 2012
Wednesday 18 January 2012
Learning batting from David Warner
Ed Smith
On Sunday, I fly to Adelaide for the fourth Test between India and
Australia. I'm due to arrive just in time for the first ball. I hope the
plane isn't late: David Warner might have scored a hundred by lunch.
In smashing 180 off 159 balls in Perth,
Warner proved quite a few people wrong - not least those who said that
Twenty20 would never produce a Test cricketer. Warner, of course, played
T20 for Australia and in the IPL long before making the step-up to Test
cricket - well, I suppose it's up to him to judge whether it's a step
up.
We've all heard the arguments against the Warner career path: that T20
ruins technique rather than developing it, that you have to learn to bat
properly before you can learn to smash it, walk before you can run etc.
But the naysayers may be wrong. The Warner story reveals deep truths
about how players bat at their best. In fact, I think it is time we
reconsidered the whole question of what constitutes good technique.
Cricket gets itself in a tangle about the word. In football, technique is short-hand for skill. Pundits explain how Cesc Fabregas' brilliant technique allows him to make the killer pass or eye-catching volley. Technique is not the enemy of flair and self-expression: it is the necessary pre-requisite. "Technique is freedom," argued the ballet dancer Vaslav Nijinsky.
Sadly, the word "technique" in cricket is often used as short-hand for
controlled batsmanship, even introspection. It is true that some great
technicians are very controlled players (think of Rahul Dravid - though
even he plays best technically when he is positive). But it is not
compulsory that good technique has to be accompanied by caution or
repression. After all, Adam Gilchrist had a wonderful technique: there
is no other explanation for how he managed to hit the ball in the middle
of the bat quite so consistently.
In fact, good technique has a very straightforward definition: it is the simplest, most efficient way of doing something.
Andre Agassi had near-perfect technique on his groundstrokes. He could
hit with exceptional power and consistency. How did he learn this
technique? When Agassi was a boy, his father used to get him to hit
thousands of tennis balls as hard and as cleanly as possible. "Hit it,
Andre!" That was the essence of his coaching. If you learn how to hit
the ball hard in the middle of the racket, you have to move your
body and feet into the right positions to do so. In the same way, Jack
Nicklaus summed up his approach to learning golf: "First, hit it hard.
Then we'll worry about getting it in the hole."
I should have remembered Agassi and Nicklaus when I was out of form as a
batsman and needed to go back to basics. Not only did I suffer
prolonged periods of bad form, I would often get out in similar ways -
nicking off to the slips, or getting trapped lbw. There were usually
plenty of theories about what I was doing wrong. As one coach memorably
put it to me, "If you stop getting caught and lbw, you'll be a top
player." Er, yes: it would take great ingenuity to get bowled or run out
throughout your career!
Many coaches tried to persuade me to change my shot selection. But that
rarely helped. When I was nicking off, it was usually because I was
driving badly rather than driving at the wrong ball. And I was a far
less good player when I was knocked off my instinct to play positively. I
came to realise that good form was a very simple issue, almost binary -
like a switch that just needed to be clicked back on.
Here comes the difficult part that used to get me into trouble. I learnt
that the best way to click the switch back on, to get back into the
groove of playing well, was to practise driving on the up. You've
probably guessed why it got me in trouble. Imagine a situation in which I
had failed three or four times in a row, each time caught in the slips,
and the coach walks into the nets and sees me…practising drives! I'd
sense him thinking: "Doesn't he ever learn?"
But I knew what worked for me, and I think there are good reasons why it
worked. To play at my best, I needed to get into good positions to
attack. Why? Because when I was in position to attack, I was inevitably
in a good position also to defend. But when I set out my stall to play a
defensive shot - before the ball was even bowled - then I not only
attacked badly, I also defended badly. Having the intention of
defending caused me to be passive and late in my movements. The shot
would almost happen to me, rather than me determining the shot.
| To play at my best, I needed to get into good positions to attack. Why? Because when I was in position to attack, I was inevitably in a good position also to defend | |||
On the other hand, having the intention of attacking was a win-win: I defended and attacked better. I would set myself to play positively, which had the effect of giving me more time at every stage of the shot.
I think many players are the same. The key to their batting - whether it is defence or attack - is the question of intent.
That has nothing to do with recklessness, or even scoring rate. Intent
merely determines the messages you send to your brain. Imagine batting
as a series of dominos that culminates in the ball being struck. The
very first domino, the critical one that begins the whole process, is
not physical, but mental. We might call it your "mental trigger
movement".
I know it sounds ridiculously simplistic - technique from kindergarten -
but many players find that the best mental trigger movement is setting
themselves to move towards the ball to strike it back in the direction
that it comes from. That does not mean you commit to lurching
onto the front foot or playing a drive; you still react to whatever is
thrown at you. But your intent is positive and pro-active.
Greg Chappell used the science of physiology to examine the connection
between intent and good execution. He studied the preliminary movements
of the world's greatest players. Though they all had unique styles and
methods, their techniques shared one common thread: at the point of
delivery, they were all pushing off the back foot, looking to come
forward. Chappell argued that this trait gives great players optimal
time to judge length. Why? Because a full ball is released from the
bowler's hand early, a short ball is released later. So when batsmen set
themselves for the full ball, they will inevitably have time to adjust
for the short ball.
Here is my heretical conclusion: by encouraging them to have the
intention of striking down the ground with a proper backlift and swing
of the bat, T20 may help batsmen get into some good technical habits.
Admittedly, T20 will not develop the refinements of sophisticated Test
match batting, such as soft hands and the ability to concentrate for six
or seven hours. But in terms of basic technique, there is a lot to be
said for keeping cricket as simple as possible. The foundation is
positive intent and a clear head. In short, we could all learn something
from Warner.
The counter-argument is that Warner is a freak of nature, and that no
one should try copying him just yet. Either way, I can't wait to watch
him in Adelaide and judge for myself.
Wednesday 3 February 2010
Leg Spin Q & A from Warne's coach
Terry Jenner
'Dot-ball cricket is hurting spin'
Terry Jenner on the importance of the stock ball, getting the flipper right, why Australia are yet to produce a spinner of Shane Warne's calibre, and more
February 1, 2010
| ||
During practice and in matches I keep trying different ways of spinning the ball. I get wickets but also go for a lot of runs. How do I stick to the basics for the most part? asked Dylan D from China
It is a mental thing. The most important ball is your stock ball: if you are a legspinner it is the legbreak. You bowl it when you need to keep things tight and when you need to take a wicket. By all means work on your variations, but not before you have got reasonable control over your stock ball.
It is a mental thing. The most important ball is your stock ball: if you are a legspinner it is the legbreak. You bowl it when you need to keep things tight and when you need to take a wicket. By all means work on your variations, but not before you have got reasonable control over your stock ball.
At times I get the ball to spin a lot but then there are times when it just does not turn. What do I do? asked Chad Williams from Belgium
The ball doesn't always react the way you want it to. In the 2005 Ashes Test at Lord's, Shane Warne bowled three legbreaks to Ian Bell, who shouldered arms to first two, as they spun a long way towards slip. The third one hit him in front and he was out lbw. He thought it was a variation ball but it was really a legbreak that did not spin.
The ball doesn't always react the way you want it to. In the 2005 Ashes Test at Lord's, Shane Warne bowled three legbreaks to Ian Bell, who shouldered arms to first two, as they spun a long way towards slip. The third one hit him in front and he was out lbw. He thought it was a variation ball but it was really a legbreak that did not spin.
Why can't all legspinners bowl the googly? Why do some of them lose their main delivery when they start bowling the wrong 'un? asked Milind from the USA
Because of the wrist position. When you bowl a googly, the back of your hand faces the batsman. The more you do that, the less likely it is for your wrist or palm to face the batsman when you bowl the legbreak. It just creates a bad habit. Most legspinners love the thought of bowling the googly which the batsman may or may not pick. But the trouble is the more you bowl it, the more your wrist gets into a position where it won't support your legbreak.
------Also read
On Walking - Advice for a Fifteen Year Old
The leggie who was one of us
--------
I know you do not believe in teaching budding offspinners how to bowl the doosra. But what about the away-going delivery as bowled by Erapalli Prasanna? I believe Harbhajan Singh's, and maybe even Jason Krejza's, doosra deliveries are the sort of floaters Prasanna used to bowl? asks Kunal Sharma from Canada
The thing about the doosra is that the people who have bowled it have normally had their actions questioned. Most of the guys don't have the flexibility to bowl that ball. Graeme Swann has shown how excellent an offspinner can be with an orthodox offbreak and an arm ball - a ball that looks like an offbreak but does not spin. Nathan Hauritz got five wickets against Pakistan in Sydney bowling the same way. Just because a delivery reacts different off the pitch does not mean the bowler is bowling the doosra. It can often be just a reaction off the pitch.
I would like to know how to make the ball dip. Also, how does a legspinner understand what is the right pace to bowl at? asks Nipun from Bangladesh
The right pace to bowl at is the pace where you gain your maximum spin. Then you vary your pace from there. But you must understand what pace you need to bowl at. That is very important. Warne gained his maximum spin at around 50mph (80 kph). After that, he got less and less spin. For a young bowler that pace could vary between 35-40mph. So whatever speed it is, be satisfied that you can bowl that ball and gain the maximum spin.
Regarding the dip, it comes from over-spin. When you release the ball, you spin it up and generate a lot of over-spin. For the curve, as opposed to the dip, it is important you align yourself with the target which, say is the middle stump. If you just rotate your wrist 180 degrees, release the ball right to left from you hand, there is a good chance the ball will curve in towards the right-hand batsman. Drop is different from curve.
I have watched your 'Masterclass' videos many times but still find it very difficult to bowl the flipper. I understand the concept of squeezing the ball out, but I haven't been able to grasp the idea of doing it in full motion: the arm movement is anti-clockwise and to "squeeze" the ball out of your fingers is clockwise? asked Akash Sureka from the UK
Again, alignment is very important if you are trying to bowl the flipper. You need to align yourself side-on towards your target, which should be around off stump. Then bowl with your shoulder towards that target, flicking the ball underneath as you release it from your hand. Keeping the seam pretty much upright encourages the ball to curve. Your fingers should be above and below the seam because you are using your thumb, your first and second fingers squeezing the ball underneath your hand. But the bowling shoulder needs to be powerful and also bowling towards the target. There is no anti-clockwise. The hand goes straight towards the target.
How do you think Warne got his amazing confidence, leadership skills and competitive spirit? asked Nadir H from India
I believe he was born with that gift just like he was born with the gift of spin. Warne had a massive heart and showed a lot of courage. You didn't know that the first day you met him. The longer he played, the more certain he became of his own ability and then the competitive spirit came forward.
I once heard Warne's technique should not be imitated by youngsters. Is it because there's pressure on his shoulder or that he doesn't have a run-up, so to speak? asked Nihal Gopinathan from India
This is one question I find annoying because a run-up is only for rhythm. Coaches who encourage people to run in like medium-pacers are not allowing the legspinner to go up and over his front leg. It is important that you bowl over a braced front leg. Warne had eight steps in his approach but walked the last three and had lovely rhythm. People said only Warne was strong enough to bowl that way. I don't think so, because as long as you bowl at your natural pace it is fine. If you are looking for a role model why would you not look at the best in the world? Warne had the five basics of spin: he was side-on; to get side-on, your back foot needs to be parallel to the crease and Warne's was; his front arm started weakly but by the time of release it grew very powerful; he drove his shoulders up and over when he released the ball; and completed his action by rotating 180 degrees. Those basics came naturally to him and were the key to him walking up to the crease and jumping to bowl.
Who do you think is currently the best spinner in the world? asked Yazad from India
Going by current performances, Swann is tough to ignore. He is getting important wickets and helping England win Test matches. I think he has every reason to believe, as he does, he should be very highly rated. I like Danish Kaneria, who probably is the best wrist spinner in the world.
Why has Australia not produced a decent spinner since Warne? Do you think Hauritz, Krejza, etc. have not been given the long rope that Warne got in his early days? asked Vijay from Singapore
People forget that Warne was thrown into the deep end and at one stage had 1 for 228 and his career could have been terminated very early. But faith, patience and others' the belief in his ability helped Shane recoup, along with the enormous talent he had. Before him, we had a lot of guys who were average-to-good legspin bowlers. Probably before Warne, Clarie Grimmett was the best legspinner. Richie Benaud was outstanding and consistent but did not spin big. Warne is an once-in-a-lifetime bowler. When he first played, he did not know how to defend himself. As he got better, he learned how to defend himself. That is how you become a great bowler.
Krejza is still in the mix, and at the moment they are pushing for New South Wales' Steven Smith but he is just a baby. Hauritz has shut the door on the others because he has improved steadily in the last 12 months. He has made improvements to his bowling action, is getting spin and drift and is very much a Test-match bowler.
| ||
Are there any other spin options on the horizon for Australia? asked Allan Pinchen from Australia
One of the difficulties in developing young spinners is the Under-19 competition. Every two years there is an U-19 World Cup. The limited-overs format is not about spin but about containment. When Warne came through the system, they played four-day games. During his formative years he toured England, West Indies and Zimbabwe, bowling in four-day matches. Brad Hogg on the other hand was a ten-over bowler. Between the two World Cups (2003 and 2007) I have no doubt Hogg was the best spinner. But when given the opportunity in the Test side, 10 overs were not good enough. You have to be able to bowl at least 20-25 overs.
Do you think in Twenty20 spinners are at a disadvantage since the ball is always relatively new and hence they don't get enough spin off the pitch? asked Ashish from the USA
Twenty20 is not about spin, even if they say it is. It is really about slow bowling. I watch fast bowlers bowl six slow balls an over. It is about taking the pace off the ball and the same applies to spinners. I watched Harbhajan Singh help India win the 2007 World Cup in South Africa and he was bowling 100kph yorkers wide off the crease. You wonder about the development of the spinner then. I don't think he has been the same bowler since.
With the growing emphasis on the shorter forms of the game, how can any country develop a quality wicket-taking slow bowler? asked John Westover from Australia
That is a great question. In my view we should find ways of getting those young, developing spinners to play longer forms of cricket where they can bowl sustained spells. There are two ways to develop as a spinner: by going to the nets and working on your craft and bowling at targets. Or by experimenting and bowling in matches where you can try the things you tried in the nets. In limited-overs games everyone applauds a dot ball but not the batsman's strokes. To develop as a spinner in the four-day game you have to invite the batsman to play strokes. If the mental approach of all concerned - the coach, captain and team-mates - is to keep it tight, the spinner struggles to develop. We say big bats and short boundaries have created difficulties for a spin bowler but dot-ball cricket has done more damage.
Tuesday 8 September 2009
The Ten Best Seduction Techniques
Sticky Eyes
When you are talking to your quarry, let your eyes stay glued to his or hers a little longer than necessary - even during silences. A gaze that lingers awakens primal, slightly disturbing feelings. It induces the same "fight or flight" chemicals that race through our veins when we feel infatuation. When you must look away, do so reluctantly. Drag your eyes away slowly. This is a particularly good technique for men to use, as women always want to feel that a man is absolutely fascinated by them.
The Visual Voyage
As you and your date are chatting, let your eyes do some traveling - but only on safe ground at first. Take a visual voyage all over his or her face, concentrating on their eyes. If he or she seems to be enjoying your expedition, take small side trips to the neck, shoulders and torso. For girls, take sneak peeks at his body - and when he sees you pretend you are a little embarrassed. This should really get his juices flowing and is a great way to get a friend to think of you sexually. For the man this technique is a little more dangerous, so be wary. If your eyes travel too far south for too long you'll be in trouble.
Expensive Dining
This is good for a gentleman who intends to pick up the bill on the first date. Make sure you take your date to an expensive restaurant with an atmosphere like the one you wish to project - be it elegant, upbeat, cool or arty. Atmosphere is important because she will transfer her feelings about the room to you. It may be superficial, but women tend to judge a man on the first place he takes them.
Dress to Impress
Even when seeking only a casual liaison, do not go out dressed like an unmade bed. Dress as though you were auditioning to be his or her husband or wife. Men must make sure they are coordinated and dress affluently: women love good quality clothes on men. Women need to dress alluringly but not in a cheap way. He is going to mentally undress you anyway, so there is no need for that short skirt. However, you might want to try a slightly more revealing second layer of clothes so that you can, at the right moment, take off that jacket and reveal some wonderful cleavage.
Give First Date Butterflies
When planning your first date, find out what pulls your date's strings, and then plan an arousing, emotional adventure. You don't have to go sky-diving, but a little shared danger is a proven aphrodisiac. A scary movie is an easy way to achieve this - or perhaps ice-skating, where the woman may be nervous and might have to hold on tight. Afterwards, go out for dinner or a drink to discuss your shared experience.
Co-react
To capture your quarry's heart, you need to share his or her convictions and show that you feel them deeply. Watch his or her reactions to outside stimuli, then show the same emotions - shock, disgust, humour, compassion, etc. This is particularly important for men, who are more inclined to misjudge situations. Make sure your reactions suit the mood.
Smile
A simple but crucial technique. A smile is the most effective form of body language and a great way to let somebody know that you are interested in them. As you are looking at or talking to a member of the opposite sex whom you wish to seduce, let a soft smile of acceptance frame your lips. Don't give too quick a smile: just let a slow one float over your face. This will seem much more genuine - while making your romantic intentions obvious.
How do you feel about that?
A good tip for men: pluck up some courage and, whatever your quarry is discussing, simply ask her, "How do you feel about that?" It might seem awkward at first, but woman love to talk about how they feel and will nearly always respond enthusiastically. Women, on the other hand, should wait until a relationship is on stable ground before asking a man much about his feelings - otherwise there is a danger of rocking the boat before it is launched.
Let Your Quarry Pass an 'Audition'
Men should not ask a woman out too soon, lest she think you are interested only in her looks. The ideal time to ask a woman for a date is when she has said something relevant to her personality. For example, if she says something spiritual, say that you'd love to hear more about that, perhaps over dinner. A woman values interest all the more if she feels that you appreciate her inner qualities. Women, meanwhile, can move faster, as men are less afraid of being treated as sex objects.
Have the First Laugh
Another obvious but important technique. Women: make sure you laugh at your quarry's jokes and, when in a group, be the first to laugh. It brings you closer together. Men should try and introduce cute private jokes to create a bond between the two of you. This will help to make you seem like long-time lovers rather than first-date strangers.
'How to Make Anyone Fall in Love With You: 85 Proven Techniques for Success' - £8.99, by Leil Lowndes, is published by Element
When you are talking to your quarry, let your eyes stay glued to his or hers a little longer than necessary - even during silences. A gaze that lingers awakens primal, slightly disturbing feelings. It induces the same "fight or flight" chemicals that race through our veins when we feel infatuation. When you must look away, do so reluctantly. Drag your eyes away slowly. This is a particularly good technique for men to use, as women always want to feel that a man is absolutely fascinated by them.
The Visual Voyage
As you and your date are chatting, let your eyes do some traveling - but only on safe ground at first. Take a visual voyage all over his or her face, concentrating on their eyes. If he or she seems to be enjoying your expedition, take small side trips to the neck, shoulders and torso. For girls, take sneak peeks at his body - and when he sees you pretend you are a little embarrassed. This should really get his juices flowing and is a great way to get a friend to think of you sexually. For the man this technique is a little more dangerous, so be wary. If your eyes travel too far south for too long you'll be in trouble.
Expensive Dining
This is good for a gentleman who intends to pick up the bill on the first date. Make sure you take your date to an expensive restaurant with an atmosphere like the one you wish to project - be it elegant, upbeat, cool or arty. Atmosphere is important because she will transfer her feelings about the room to you. It may be superficial, but women tend to judge a man on the first place he takes them.
Dress to Impress
Even when seeking only a casual liaison, do not go out dressed like an unmade bed. Dress as though you were auditioning to be his or her husband or wife. Men must make sure they are coordinated and dress affluently: women love good quality clothes on men. Women need to dress alluringly but not in a cheap way. He is going to mentally undress you anyway, so there is no need for that short skirt. However, you might want to try a slightly more revealing second layer of clothes so that you can, at the right moment, take off that jacket and reveal some wonderful cleavage.
Give First Date Butterflies
When planning your first date, find out what pulls your date's strings, and then plan an arousing, emotional adventure. You don't have to go sky-diving, but a little shared danger is a proven aphrodisiac. A scary movie is an easy way to achieve this - or perhaps ice-skating, where the woman may be nervous and might have to hold on tight. Afterwards, go out for dinner or a drink to discuss your shared experience.
Co-react
To capture your quarry's heart, you need to share his or her convictions and show that you feel them deeply. Watch his or her reactions to outside stimuli, then show the same emotions - shock, disgust, humour, compassion, etc. This is particularly important for men, who are more inclined to misjudge situations. Make sure your reactions suit the mood.
Smile
A simple but crucial technique. A smile is the most effective form of body language and a great way to let somebody know that you are interested in them. As you are looking at or talking to a member of the opposite sex whom you wish to seduce, let a soft smile of acceptance frame your lips. Don't give too quick a smile: just let a slow one float over your face. This will seem much more genuine - while making your romantic intentions obvious.
How do you feel about that?
A good tip for men: pluck up some courage and, whatever your quarry is discussing, simply ask her, "How do you feel about that?" It might seem awkward at first, but woman love to talk about how they feel and will nearly always respond enthusiastically. Women, on the other hand, should wait until a relationship is on stable ground before asking a man much about his feelings - otherwise there is a danger of rocking the boat before it is launched.
Let Your Quarry Pass an 'Audition'
Men should not ask a woman out too soon, lest she think you are interested only in her looks. The ideal time to ask a woman for a date is when she has said something relevant to her personality. For example, if she says something spiritual, say that you'd love to hear more about that, perhaps over dinner. A woman values interest all the more if she feels that you appreciate her inner qualities. Women, meanwhile, can move faster, as men are less afraid of being treated as sex objects.
Have the First Laugh
Another obvious but important technique. Women: make sure you laugh at your quarry's jokes and, when in a group, be the first to laugh. It brings you closer together. Men should try and introduce cute private jokes to create a bond between the two of you. This will help to make you seem like long-time lovers rather than first-date strangers.
'How to Make Anyone Fall in Love With You: 85 Proven Techniques for Success' - £8.99, by Leil Lowndes, is published by Element
Saturday 8 November 2008
Oxbridge interview: top twenty tips for surviving - by graduates and tutors
Oxbridge interviews are shrouded in mystery and dogged by myth so let us guide you through the process with the help of people who've been on both sides of the interview
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