Article - Preparing for a Game

‘Failing to prepare is preparing to fail’

Although this saying is rapidly becoming a cliché it still holds strong in all sporting situations and most notably in cricket. Preparation for a game only receives a small amount of attention from most cricket writers and coaches (most prefer to concentrate on technique and other aspect of the game) yet a small alteration to this section of a player’s game can yield a significant improvement in results obtained. In this article we are going to explore the components making up the players preparation and suggests methods through which it can be altered to ensure success is obtained.

History tells us that if you can mimic the same preparation on two separate occasions you will obtain identical (or very close) results. Think back of two times you were successful and it is highly likely you completed the same preparation on the two occasions prior to the game. As a sportsman you need to identify the ideal preparation for you and make use of it to maximise results obtained. There are three components making up the preparation prior to a cricket match:

• Training leading into the game
• Night prior to the game
• Morning of the game

It is essential to realise the optimal preparation is individualistic in nature and what is successful for one player will not be for another. A player like Doug Walters frequently stayed up late on the eve of a game socialising – a preparation that worked for him but would not for most players. Through trial and error you need to establish the combination that works for you and take advantage of these procedures to create maximal results.

 Training leading into the match

How you view the training leading into the match is important to success on the weekend. Through the completion of training you need to be confident and relaxed walking out to bat. If a certain type of training does not work for you one week then alter it slightly for the next and see if that yields the desired results. Keep manipulating the training until you are scoring runs or taking wickets.

 Train as you would play

There has been a saying around for years ‘ Train as you would play’. I believe this saying is not entirely correct. Consider the following situation: If you do as suggested and train in this manner you would complete the same training over and over. Not only does this training become monotonous but a player will plateau at a certain level and not develop their game past this point. I believe that players need to train at the intensity they would play at but to improve your game you need to manipulate training to work on your weaknesses and consolidate strengths. To complete training of this nature the player would train in matter removed from the manner they would play the game.

To make the most of training goal setting is essential. Most players are only afforded the opportunity of two quality net sessions prior to the game. One top player spoke of his routine in this time:

"I know if I complete my normal routine I will be successful, every time. On the first training session I try and pick up the ball as early as possible judging the length and line of the ball and the position of my off stump. In the second session I like to get a feel for the ball and begin to play a few shots."

It is apparent from the comment of this player that both goal setting and preparation are essential for his confidence levels. If he achieves the training goals he sets his preparation is fine and the chance of success is high. If he is unable to reach these goals however there will be a reduction in the ability of the player to attain the goals he has set.

 Night Prior to The Game

Although individualistic in nature is it vital that certain elements are considered and maintained on the night prior to the match:

Adequate amount of sleep – Sleep deprivation has been shown to decrease reaction time and the ability of a person to concentrate for a long period of time. On average most people sleep between 7-8 hours a night. It is recommended for athletic performance this amount is increased slightly due to the increase physical and mental activity required to participate in sport.

Hydration – It is important the player consumes enough water on the night prior to the match. One easy way of determining if a person is hydrated or not is the colour of the person’s urine. If it is clear then they are fine but if there is any yellow in the fluid at all then the person needs to consume some water.

Pre-game meal - The pre-game meal on the eve of the match is important to provide the player with the energy needed to perform the following day. Foods meeting these requirements include pastas, rices and other cereals. These foods, combined with fruits and vegetables can provide the person with all the nutritional requirements for the following day.

 Morning of the match

Again the important considerations on the morning of the game relate to nutritional components of the preparation. A breakfast high in carbohydrates is essential along with maintenance of hydration levels of the person through continued drinking of water. Throughout the morning the person should remain relaxed (again each person needs to determine how this state of relaxation is obtained).

Record Keeping and Goal Setting is not only important in determining the correct preparation for the game but also in the overall improvement of the players game as a whole. The next article to be published examines this area so I will only touch on it briefly in this section. The maintenance and continued observation of a training journal is important in the continued success of a player. It allows for retrospective analysis and establishment of correct preparation for all games. Additionally it gives coaches and players an insight into the thought processes of the player and each players metal ability.

To help identify the factors resulting in your optimal performance make a list of the preparation on the last five times you have been successful. Is there a pattern to preparation you completed? What are the common elements for each occasion you performed well? From these responses you are able to compile a list of actions, which, when completed will maximise the likelihood of success. From this point it is simple trial and error until you have manipulated your pattern until you have obtained success.

Although many players unconsciously have a certain preparation before a game there are those who have not experimented with such alteration in an attempt to improve performance. Make the alterations yourself and see if you are able to improve the results you obtain.