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[Wozaboxa]

Tonight I was in nets and was asked to bat, you get your 2-4 minutes to pad, I felt rushed and struggled to relax whilst batting, my footwork was all over the place and I was rushing through shots and played like dirt, Usually when batting in a match I take a few minutes to slow the breathing and focus, you don't get that luxury batting in the nets and as a new member to the club I feel a bit pushy if I ask to go first.

I was wondering if anyone had any tips or tricks they use to disperse this nervous energy quickly?

[InternalTraining]

Depends on your net/practice objectives.

If "grooving" or developing muscle memory for new shots/skills, I like to take my time and think thru the session. But those sessions are pre-planned and done with either a machine or a handful of like-minded players.

If objective is general practice and development of rhythm, then practice imperfectly. No matter what level you play, match conditions are hardly ever perfect to whatever story is running thru your mind. Let there be distractions, loud people, "chirping", people rushing thru the practice, or whatever distraction you can think of. Why? It helps the mind focus on technique. In my experience, when I get tired or get "triggered" by something, first things that leave my game is my technique. Developing that skill where you can employ your technique under hard conditions is rewarding in the long run.

[FattusCattus]

You could always research why David Nash, the former Middx wicket-keeper was nicknamed 'knocker' due to his pre-batting rituals.

[Seniorplayer]

Tonight I was in nets and was asked to bat, you get your 2-4 minutes to pad, I felt rushed and struggled to relax whilst batting, my footwork was all over the place and I was rushing through shots and played like dirt, Usually when batting in a match I take a few minutes to slow the breathing and focus, you don't get that luxury batting in the nets and as a new member to the club I feel a bit pushy if I ask to go first.

I was wondering if anyone had any tips or tricks they use to disperse this nervous energy quickly?

Don't rush or let anyone rush you  it's your batting time get your kit on before its your 2 to 4 minutes to pad it's not being pushy it's being organised and ready to bat.

[jamesisapayne]

Depends on your net/practice objectives.

If "grooving" or developing muscle memory for new shots/skills, I like to take my time and think thru the session. But those sessions are pre-planned and done with either a machine or a handful of like-minded players.

If objective is general practice and development of rhythm, then practice imperfectly. No matter what level you play, match conditions are hardly ever perfect to whatever story is running thru your mind. Let there be distractions, loud people, "chirping", people rushing thru the practice, or whatever distraction you can think of. Why? It helps the mind focus on technique. In my experience, when I get tired or get "triggered" by something, first things that leave my game is my technique. Developing that skill where you can employ your technique under hard conditions is rewarding in the long run.

What a fantastic reply

[stevat]

Think that is absolutely the way to look at it, may not be perfect practice, but it gets you rhythm, and after a little while off over winter that is crucial to rediscovering form.  I like to try and focus on really watching the ball onto the bat in the early sessions, ignore quite literally everything else and get going that way.  Then I like to think about the specifics and set myself up better once I've had a few sessions and am back into it a bit.

[Wozaboxa]

Thanks all, some real food for thought. Really appreciate the responses.