Is SAQ the secret of cricket fitness?
The SAQ cricket fitness system promises a lot, but recently I have been wondering how effectively it delivers.
All cricket players can benefit from extra speed and agility. Whether it's running quick singles or diving about in the field. So the principle of SAQ is sound.
The SAQ book covers a plethora of excellent drills and routines to help players with this, as endorsed by the great Graham Gooch at Essex CCC.
What worries me is how to book presents the information.
The average club cricketer will have no idea how to put the drills into a coherent plan that can be followed throughout the year.
Also, there is very little emphasis on how to develop strength and power, which is an essential element of increased speed and better cricket.
What this makes the SAQ book is an excellent reference too for coaches and fitness professionals who want to get more specific with the cricketers under their care.
The SAQ book is not a complete system to cricket fitness.
I recommend that you get the book as it has all the basic principles in place (especially the dynamic warm up stuff which is excellent), but join the Simplycricket forum for tips on how to use all the drills in the book.
It's cheaper than getting an SAQ accredited instructor to show you the ropes.
- Login to post comments
Comments
Hello
I am currently 2/3rds through my level 3 Head Coach award and actively involved with coaching various age groups. I am also an SAQ advanced trainer which I have become qualified in to support my cricket coaching. My view is that if the book is purchased without gaining the basic qualification then it would not be totally relevant although useful, as that is exactly what I did. I would be interested to know what you consider a complete system to cricket fitness as SAQ if adapted goes a long way! It can also be made very cricket specific or adapted to a lot of other sports covery many areas. It covers training the neuro-muscular system, mechanics of running which is very important for a bowlers run up, innervation which creates fast feet - great for batters & fielders as well as lots of other areas. Therefore it is not purely a conditioning programme. Unfortunately from my perspective it has not taken off in Cricket as it has in Rugby where it is widely used (there is lots strengh and power involved in that so they must see something in it!)
I also use other fitness drills combined with SAQ.
Regards
Matt Homes
Regards
Matt Homes
Great to hear from you Matt. I agree that SAQ is an excellent tool and a quantum leap for cricket fitness in general.
My critique was that the book does not stand alone as a complete system. You need to have an understanding of fitness planning and progression and the book on it's own fails to address this. It does indeed cover vital aspects of the game, but not as a coherent whole plan.
In the right hands SAQ is superb, for the average club player it could be more confusing that clarifying.
Great points though.