Many young quicks are keen to rush their bowling arm in order to try and bowl fast. This is a common mistake. You must allow your legs and trunk to do their job before you actively force the bowling arm over. But how do you do this?

The bowler below is bowling with a heavy cricket ball. Using a heavy ball is a key to let the bowling arm lag behind, and create a separation between the trunk movement and arm movement. 

The objective of this drill is to first get the bowler to set themselves in the finished position of the straight front leg and forward flexed trunk. If this position can be achieved then maximal stretch along the chest can occur, which will help sling the ball over like a catapult.

Anthony is allowing the thrust of the front arm / front leg / trunk to passively move his bowling arm initially (passive = not actively controlling the motion). As he feels this passive motion nearing its end, he takes over by actively contracting and bowling the ball. But you must allow the trunk to flex first before actively using the arm. If you do the drill correctly, then you should feel a slight stretch along the chest of your bowling arm.

Remember, although technique is critical in bowling fast, without muscular power or strength you will not bowl at those express speeds. In my Top 100 Fast Bowling Exercises book, you will find some of the best exercises to improve your strength and power so you can perform better on field.