Good Coaching Equipment Makes Every Practice Session Count
Most US cricket teams practice once a week — maybe twice during season. With only 2-3 hours of net time, the quality of every drill matters enormously. A coach who spends 40% of net time throwing balls from 10 yards away (producing unrealistic bounce and pace) is wasting the team's most limited resource. Good training equipment — a ball feeder, a speed arm, a practice net — lets the coach spend more time coaching and less time acting as a human bowling machine.
At TopCricketStore, we stock cricket training aids from Joe Root (R66T Academy), Leverage, Cougar, GM, and DSC. These aren't gimmicks — they're tools used by professional academies adapted for the US club environment where coaching resources are typically thin.
Cricket Training Aids: Every Tool We Carry
| Product | Type | Purpose | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Joe Root R66T Academy Ball Feeder | Ball feeder | Consistent throw-downs, 8 balls included | $199.99 |
| Leverage Cricket SpeedArm Ball Thrower | Ball thrower | Long-distance throwing, fielding drills | $29.99 |
| Cougar Practice Net Popup Goal | Practice net | Portable batting/bowling target net | $59.99 |
| GM Cricket Spring Back Stumps | Training stumps | Auto-reset for net practice, no chasing balls | $49.99 |
| DSC Marathon Incredi Training Ball | Training ball | Indoor/outdoor, softer than leather | $7.99 |
Joe Root R66T Academy Ball Feeder: The Coach's Best Friend
The Joe Root R66T Ball Feeder ($199.99) is a spring-loaded mechanical ball feeder that delivers consistent throw-downs at adjustable pace and length. Load up to 8 cricket balls, set the angle and tension, and it feeds balls at the same spot every 5-7 seconds. This is a game-changer for solo batting practice: no partner needed, no inconsistent throw-downs, no arm fatigue for the coach.
Why it's worth $200: A coach throwing 50 balls per batsman for 6 batsmen throws 300 balls per net session. By session 3, the coach's arm is fatigued and throw-down quality degrades. The R66T never gets tired. For a team that nets twice a week for a 16-week season, that's roughly 9,600 consistent deliveries the coach doesn't have to throw — time that can be spent on technical feedback, video analysis, and individual coaching.
Setup: The feeder clamps to a tripod stand (included) and works with standard cricket balls, tennis balls, or training balls. Adjust the launch angle for length (full, good, short), the tension spring for pace (junior to adult), and the rotation plate for line (off, middle, leg). It's portable — breaks down into a carry bag for transport to and from practice.
Leverage SpeedArm: Long Throws Without a Strong Arm
The Leverage Cricket SpeedArm ($29.99) is a 13-inch plastic ball thrower — essentially a curved scoop on a handle that extends your throwing leverage. It lets coaches and fielding drill leaders throw balls 60-80 yards with minimal arm effort. For boundary fielding drills, high catches, and long-range throwing practice, it saves the coach's shoulder across a full season of training.
Works with cricket balls, tennis balls, and training balls. The ball sits in the scoop; a smooth throwing motion releases it with roughly 2x the distance of a hand throw with the same effort. Particularly useful for coaches over 40 whose shoulders and elbows don't appreciate 200 max-effort throws per session.
Cougar Practice Net & GM Spring Back Stumps
The Cougar Popup Practice Net ($59.99) is a portable batting/bowling target net that sets up in under 2 minutes. It's not a full cage net (you won't be facing 75 mph bowling in your backyard), but it's perfect for target bowling practice, throw-down batting drills in a confined space, and junior training. Packs down into a 30-inch carry bag — fits in any car trunk.
The GM Spring Back Stumps ($49.99) solve the most annoying problem in net practice: chasing balls after every delivery. The stumps are mounted on a spring base — when the ball hits them, they snap back and reset instantly. No walking to the other end, no re-setting bails, no breaking rhythm. A small thing that makes net sessions roughly 25% more efficient because you're spending less time retrieving.
FAQ
Is the Joe Root Ball Feeder worth $200 for a club team?
If your team has 8+ players and runs weekly nets, absolutely. It pays for itself in coach arm health (no repetitive throwing injuries) and practice efficiency (consistent deliveries, more balls per session). A physical therapist visit for throwing-related shoulder injury costs more than $200. For individual players, the value proposition is weaker — you're better off with a hanging ball trainer ($11.99) plus throw-downs from a friend.
Can I use regular cricket balls in the Joe Root feeder?
Yes — it's designed for standard 5.5 oz leather cricket balls (men's). It also works with tennis balls and training balls. Heavier balls (youth 4.75 oz) may require slight tension adjustment. Avoid using very hard balls (composite/cork) — they can damage the feeding mechanism over time.
How long does a SpeedArm last?
The Leverage SpeedArm is made of high-impact plastic and typically lasts 1-2 seasons of regular use. The failure point is usually the scoop rim (cracks from repeated ball impact) or the handle joint. At $29.99, it's inexpensive enough to replace annually if you're running fielding drills 2-3 times per week.
Do I need a practice net or can I use a wall?
A wall works for basic batting drills (off-side drives, defensive strokes), but a practice net is better for: (1) bowling accuracy drills (aiming at specific target areas), (2) catching practice (high balls that would go over a wall), and (3) containing cricket balls in public spaces. If you practice in a park or school ground, a net keeps you from chasing balls into neighboring fields — worth the $59.99.
What's the best training aid for solo batting practice?
For solo practice on a budget: the NIVIA Hanging String Tennis Ball ($11.99) — mount it anywhere, hit 100+ shots per session, costs less than lunch. For serious solo practice: the Joe Root R66T Ball Feeder ($199.99) — mechanical consistency, 8-ball loading, works with real cricket balls. There's a reason professional players use mechanical feeders for solo net sessions.
Why Buy Training Equipment from TopCricketStore?
We sell the same training aids we use in our own net sessions in Edison, NJ. The Joe Root feeder, Leverage SpeedArm, and GM Spring Back Stumps are all personally tested by our team. Every product ships from our warehouse with free shipping on orders over $100 and 7-day returns. For bulk orders or team pricing, call (732) 993-6000.
Shop training equipment: Cricket Training & Coaching Aids