Pre Shot Routine In Batting
Why complete a pre shot routine? Because it is a very effective method of improving one's focus on the task at hand -- the upcoming cricket shot. What is a pre-shot routine and what is it good for? A pre-shot routine is a consistent and systematic procedure (a sequence of thoughts, checkpoints, movements or details) that is executed before the performance of a cricket shot.
Pre-shot routines are likely as varied in their steps and details, from person to person, as fingerprints (i.e., each persons pre-shot routine is probably unique). A pre-shot routine is good for eliminating extraneous thoughts prior to the stroke and "grounding" a player, getting them to focus more exclusively on the shot at hand. Why? Because executing a pre-shot routine requires the focus of conscious attention on relevant tasks, thereby eliminating or at least reducing any extra time to attend to irrelevant or unwanted things. You'll notice that when you watch some batmen on TV each player has certain mannerisms that they go through before each shot, and typically they perform these mannerisms identically for each shot. They are going through their pre-shot routine.
What are the components of a pre-shot routine? Though there is a lot of variation between players and styles, it is safe to say that the pre-shot routine for each player covers the details that are important to that player. Placement of the hands on the bat, body alignment, stance, shot visualization, a certain number of waggles, or a certain number of looks to the target are a few of the possibilities that a player might include in their pre-shot routine. How can you develop your own pre-shot routine? Your own personal pre-shot routine should fit your style and rhythm as a player. What I mean by this is that you should try to match the tempo or rhythm of your pre-shot routine to that of your personality and how you play cricket. Do you play fast or slow … or medium? For instance, if you are a very fast paced individual (talk fast, eat fast, drive fast … careful now) it probably wouldn't work very well for you to have a long, drawn out, methodical and slow paced pre-shot routine. That makes sense, doesn't it? Likewise, if you are methodical and plodding, I doubt that a short and hurried pre-shot routine would serve you very well.
Developing your pre-shot routine may happen quickly or it may take a while. It will take some careful thought and some conscious and deliberate practice. Just be sure to include the details that are important to you, and match your style and rhythm. After all, the whole point is to give you a feeling of comfort, familiarity and confidence, and to occupy your mind with relevant tasks rather than let all those extra unwanted worries, distractions or mental wanderings have any space or time in your mind. Start developing your own pre-shot routine and in no time you'll have one you feel good about. Once it is part of your game you will notice improvement in your consistency and feelings of confidence.