Sports/Cricket Psychology
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BitsandBats

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Sports/Cricket Psychology
« on: April 28, 2021, 08:29:10 PM »

Hi gents

I am hoping that some good suggesting could be made. In hope of not just improving my own performances but tips that others on here may find really useful to refer too.

Does anyone have any sports psychology tips/methods specific to cricket that they apply whilst batting to maintain concentration?

My personal position, 24 and now captain of our second team. Week in week out when batting I seem to get to 30 odd and throw it away through a poor choice in shot or lapse in concentration etc. I have played first team for a number of games in recent years (around 35 games) and never really got to grips with it, I'm fully aware I'm not technically good enough at that level and prefer playing 2's to be honest but I am also very aware that it is the psychological side that is preventing my batting from improving. I can physically feel myself going and losing concentration whilst out in the middle and fully aware of this, normally after around half an hour or so.

I wondered if anyone had ever seen a sports psychologist before and found anything that really worked well for them. Does anyone have any good sports psychology books they can recommend or methods that they have benefitted from?

Really keen to dig into the psychological side and I was hoping others will benefit from it too

TIA
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mohawks94

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Re: Sports/Cricket Psychology
« Reply #1 on: April 28, 2021, 08:47:20 PM »

Rich Hudson, Bucks director of cricket and involved with one of the ladies regional set ups, has a well regarded book, Pressure Myths. Could be worth a read
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SouthpawMark

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Re: Sports/Cricket Psychology
« Reply #2 on: April 28, 2021, 08:49:28 PM »

Try and switch off between balls.
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edge

Re: Sports/Cricket Psychology
« Reply #3 on: April 29, 2021, 05:48:10 AM »

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jamielsn15

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Re: Sports/Cricket Psychology
« Reply #4 on: April 29, 2021, 07:09:27 PM »

The Champions Mind is a great read. Also worth researching applied sports psych reading lists.

Research areas around attentional focus and zones of optimal functioning.

In practice, it is about switching on and off. Pros do it exceptionally well. You can't concentrate 100% of your time batting. Its mentally exhausting. Knowing how and when to switch off and back on again takes practice. Routine and having mental amd physical cues helps.
Pre game read about imagery and mental preparation. They're good subjects to research too
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cobweb1510

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Re: Sports/Cricket Psychology
« Reply #5 on: April 29, 2021, 09:14:46 PM »

Whilst not directly relevant in context, I have a book called "The mental game of poker" by Jared Tendlar. He was a sports psychologist with a golf background before moving into poker. It's an outstanding book with real practical techniques for controlling emotions and maintaining high levels of performance, and much of it is easily translated into any sporting field.
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Hoover

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Re: Sports/Cricket Psychology
« Reply #6 on: April 30, 2021, 06:21:42 AM »

“Winning Ways” by Rudi Webster is an oldie but a goodie.
My opinion on this is due to my own experience with the same issue.
Briefly, you need to be constantly aware of the “ little man on your shoulder.” He is the devil most of the time. If you work out which shots are working at any given time and stick to them you are a big chance. These shots can change e.g if your cover drive suddenly feels awful, put it away. Move your stance subtly across to off and look to play straight and maybe to leg if it feels better. You can also just defend an over to try and compose yourself, even let you partner know if he raises his eyebrows. It takes practice but it works. If you are chasing 5/6 an over settle for 3/4 and catch up later when you 70/80 and in control. Hope this helps.
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BitsandBats

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Re: Sports/Cricket Psychology
« Reply #7 on: May 02, 2021, 05:05:14 PM »

Thank you for all the suggestions guys. Definitely going to have a Amazon delivery of a couple of books and have a good read!
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brokenbat

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Re: Sports/Cricket Psychology
« Reply #8 on: May 02, 2021, 06:10:27 PM »

Barefoot Coach by Paddy Upton. Cricket specific tips from one of the best In the business.
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potzy248

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Re: Sports/Cricket Psychology
« Reply #9 on: May 02, 2021, 08:07:42 PM »

Barefoot Coach by Paddy Upton. Cricket specific tips from one of the best In the business.

I second this read. Plus any of his vidoes/Vlogs are great.

I have massive issues with getting distracted as well. The one thing that works for me (That I picked up from Paddy Upton) was focusing on my breathing when the bowler is running in. How the breath is going into my body and how it leaves on each breath (sounds silly I know). Helps me stay focused on the now and not pre-mediate etc.
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InternalTraining

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Re: Sports/Cricket Psychology
« Reply #10 on: May 03, 2021, 12:29:32 AM »

Great suggestions, great thread!

Keep 'em coming. :)
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kal_m

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Re: Sports/Cricket Psychology
« Reply #11 on: May 04, 2021, 05:17:06 PM »

Couple of things that help me..relaxing my mind between deliveries and when I take my stance, I say to myself - I am not getting out this ball.
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BitsandBats

Re: Sports/Cricket Psychology
« Reply #12 on: September 27, 2021, 09:15:47 PM »

Just wanted to give an update in regards to the psychology side. So from the recommendations I purchased Paddy Uptons 'Barefoot Coach' book soon after (through kindle). I have to say I thought it was brilliant, the stories included of his experiences as well as the information I could take from it and use on my own game...The 2 main points that I focused on were the deep breathing as the bowler was running in (as suggested) as well as making sure I get in and out of focus and getting into that optimal zone where you are passive in your concentration and "in the zone".....now I'm not saying this will work for everyone but after looking over my numbers this year I think it definitely helped me!

I've compared my 2019 season and 2021 season below-

2019 - 17 games, 284 runs @17, HS 52, 1x50.
2021- 16 games, 620 runs @41.3, HS 140, 3x50's and 2x100's.

I cant quite believe looking at that the difference, now I don't put this solely down to the book as I have taken on the captaincy of the team and numerous other things. But the aspects I have taken from it have undoubtedly helped me concentrate and focus on concentrating for longer, sustained periods of time and I am aware of this whilst batting that I am concentrating better. As well as enjoying my cricket more and having a laugh I've definitely developed my mental aspect and started to build on Innings where previously I would get 20/30 and get out.

I think I found what keeps me concentrating in the middle as well as more importantly what lets you relax by forgetting about the game for a few seconds inbetween balls. Personally I would definitely recommend Paddy's book to people to help them develop their concentration and I will definitely be reading another when the season recommence's!
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potzy248

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Re: Sports/Cricket Psychology
« Reply #13 on: September 28, 2021, 02:01:36 AM »

Awesome mate well done.

Big fan of Paddy's book.

I think the key as you said was realising when you were drifting and so could re-focus yourself. A lot of players don't realise they have drifted or become distracted until you've made a poor decision or you're out.
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SurreySam

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Re: Sports/Cricket Psychology
« Reply #14 on: September 28, 2021, 10:01:56 AM »

Excellent results, well done.
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