Hanging cricket ball and adjustments

[Jupiter01]

Hoping we have some cricket fans in the house!
I've created this hanging ball contraption in the garage.

It's has a screw on the ceiling and the string is tied to this.

I now want to be able to adjust the length of the string (practice front and back foot strokes). If I tie a knot, it ruins the string and I can't get back to the longer length. I put another screw in the ceiling with a washer (15cm away from the existing screw). I used this to wrap the string around and get to my desired length. The problem is that as the ball swings back and forth, the string unwraps from this washered-screw and returns to the full length.

I am hoping that there is a simple solution to this and I would be grateful for your comments.

 

[Harry Bloomfield]

I am hoping that there is a simple solution to this and I would be grateful for your comments.

Hook in the ceiling, with a tent guy toggle?

 

[Rodders53]

You need a cleat and wrap string round in a figure of 8. https://www.johnlewis.com/john-lewis-cleat/chrome/p389934 is an example.

Screws will be sharp and cut through the string over time unless the type with a smooth shank near the head.

 

[Jupiter01]

You need a cleat and wrap string round in a figure of 8. https://www.johnlewis.com/john-lewis-cleat/chrome/p389934 is an example.

Screws will be sharp and cut through the string over time unless the type with a smooth shank near the head.

Does the figure of 8 prevent the string of unwinding then?

 

[foxhole]

Short flat timber or piece of metal drill three hole in it and thred on rope below ball , can be moved on rope but locked when pulled tight .

 

[conny]

This has got A&E written all over it when the string snaps and the ball ricochets' back at you.
Or the ball hits the ceiling and comes flying back at you at speed.

 

[Odds]

Use a bungee cord if you're feeling energetic.

 

[Jupiter01]

Short flat timber or piece of metal drill three hole in it and thred on rope below ball , can be moved on rope but locked when pulled tight .

and loop the string through these holes in a certain format to avoid it coming lose again?

 

[Odds]

Swingball was good to practice technique and sharpen reflexes with a racquet but i'm wondering how this will do either for your cricket game.

 

[Jupiter01]

Swingball was good to practice technique and sharpen reflexes with a racquet but i'm wondering how this will do either for your cricket game.

My kids use it and it teaches you to watch the ball, move your feet in relation to the changing direction of the ball along with the position of arms, heads, etc. It is not designed to whack but basic defensive drills. It's a well established drill used all over the world.

 

[Harry Bloomfield]

My kids use it and it teaches you to watch the ball, move your feet in relation to the changing direction of the ball along with the position of arms, heads, etc. It is not designed to whack but basic defensive drills. It's a well established drill used all over the world.

On the principle of - no gain, without pain?

 

[foxhole]

and loop the string through these holes in a certain format to avoid it coming lose again?

Just straight stitch style .

 

[Harry Bloomfield]

and loop the string through these holes in a certain format to avoid it coming lose again?

The holes need to be just big enough to allow the rope to pass through, make them too big, and they will not grip the rope.

 

[Odds]

Would a fine link chain be any stronger than rope or string?
If a link breaks you can either afix it to the next one or solder them back together.
A cup washer at the top and bottom to hold it in place, then maybe seal the drilled hole with wax for a snug fit.

It all sounds like a lot of fiddlin' about to practise defensive strokes.

 

[Jupiter01]

Could I have a small piece of wood (say 5cm long and a couple of centre metres wide) with a cut on both ends. I can then have this along the vertical hang of the string and wrap the string around these two cuts. Gravity will mean that the string should not come undone. I can then wrap/unwrap appropriately.

Hope that makes sense.