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Fidgety
Busy
Eccentric
All of these are words used to describe players who have certain rituals before every ball. But it’s not just meaningless; it’s a crucial aspect of their success.
Whether it’s a batsman fiddling with their pads or a bowler tossing the ball up before they start their run-up, they all use these rituals to score runs and take wickets.
Cricket is a game which by nature is made up of multiple quick fire incidents where you need to perform. Being able to partially switch off after every ball allows you to prolong your focus over the whole game: several hours at a time.
In order to fully switch back on, players adopt triggers or rituals that help their mental preparation for the next ball.
Whether its Trott’s long adjusting, Alec Stuart’s spinning of his bat, Harbajan’s or tossing of the ball, these are ways to use repetition as an aid to your game.
Sometimes these triggers are born from accident or others are made, either way I have to recommend the use of a personalised trigger. These types of triggers do little to settle the player physically, but engage the brain to prepare mentally.
For example, some people I talk to feel unsettled in their stance before the next ball even begins.
So I often suggest a small shuffle of the feet to feel settled and balanced, or even allow time to adjust equipment to feel fitted.
A trigger can even be something as simple as breathing.
Effective breathing allows the brain to process quicker and allows the batsman to remain still throughout the focus of delivery.
As the bowler begins his run up I will take breath for half their run-up and pause for breath during the final half of their run up.
I find this allows for a mental trigger but also allows the body to relax with a full intake of oxygen.
We are all searching for improved focus and concentration. A personal trigger is a simple way to improve yours simply and effectively.
What’s your trigger?
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