Sports specific training for Cricket

Cricket is a sport which requires high levels of concentration and short, intense bursts of activity. A sports specific training programme for cricket should centre on building strength to help with endurance and focus, and the ability to release and control energy over short bursts. Because cricket is a summer sport, sport specific training should occur throughout the winter months in order to maintain condition and prevent injury come the summer. Cricket players should focus their sports specific training regimes on a combination of cardiovascular are weight resistance training, especially geared to muscle groups such as the abdominal obliques and the muscles of the shoulder girdle.

Because of the different positions they play, different cricket players will have different focuses for their sports specific training.

Bats Man: A Bats Man needs a high level on endurance as he has to stay in the crease for sometimes up to 4 hours. A Bats Man needs good eye-hand co-ordination, strong muscles in the core and the abdominal mid-section, and the capacity for strong, explosive upper body movements.

Bowlers: Bowlers need an enormous amount of sheer strength, speed and stamina to maintain a high number of overs. It is a mistake to think that bowlers should focus only on strengthening their arms, as the motion of bowling incorporates muscles throughout the entire torso. Under-developed muscles in the torso will lead to bowling errors.

Fieldsmen: Fieldsmen need to be able to maintain focus and physical suppleness over sometimes up to 6 hours. They also need to have strong legs for running, and the capacity for short bursts of movement such as short sprints, jumps and catching skills.

In addition to the specific physical requirements of their position, these athletes need to maintain an over all level of fitness at all time, and for this a cardiovascular work out is recommended. Because of the need for bursts of quick, explosive actions, it's recommended that players try the plyometric circuit as well, which incorporates a series of shorts bursts of different exercises and activities, from jumping rope to push ups.