The end of the season offers a break from match play and a chance to reflect on your recent performances while they are still fresh in your mind. It is also a good time to set some goals and start planning for next year. I have outlined below a simple 5-step plan that you may like to try when you are ready to start planning your success for next season.

For those of you who would like to get started on developing and implementing your plan and correct any problem areas that you identified last season, Elite Cricket can assist in two ways.

Our April School Holiday Program will specifically focus on identifying the tactical and technical areas of your game needing improvement. Participants will leave with a report on areas of their game requiring attention and the program is a great way to wrap up this season while offering a good pathway to the next one.

High Performance Individual Coaching will be running through the off season at Gladevsille and Five Dock and a program of HPIC sessions over winter is the ideal way to focus on correcting your technique away from match play pressure to emerge strong and ready for the next season.

Step 1 - Situation Analysis (Where are you at right now?) is a “stocktake” of your game and involves reflecting on a few simple ideas including what you did that worked well last season, what you did that didn’t work last season and overall a summary of what you learned. In this type of approach I would look at the following areas of your game: tactical (shot and delivery selection), technical (balance and alignment), mental (concentration and thinking) and fitness (strength, endurance and flexibility).

Step 2 - Goal Setting (Where do you want to go?) is to determine what you want to achieve. A good model for your goal setting is the SMART model. Your goals should be S - specific, M - measurable, A - attainable, R - realistic and T - time oriented. The best goals can be measured, because if you can’t measure something, how will you know if you have achieved it or not? When you have set your goals you can then progress to Step 3 of your plan. The difference between a dream and a goal is that a goal has a deadline. Write your goals down, it gives them a better chance of success!

Step 3 - Strategy (How will you get from your current position identified in Step 1 to where you want to go identified in Step 2?) This will involve you identifying what you need to work on and as per Step 1 this may include a range of areas such as technical, tactical, mental and fitness and then developing a structured program for yourself.

Step 4 - Implementation (Doing it) Having the greatest plan in the world will be of no use to you if you don’t do the work and put it into place. The biggest challenge of your plan will be having the desire and discipline to go out and make it happen, so while it is important to make the plan, the next step is to make it happen. Cricket is a tough game and I would love to tell you it is easy. Keeping it simple is not the same as it being easy. About all I can say here is that all the great players that I have played with over the years were both hard and smart workers, so if you want the success you will need to do the work.

Step 5 - Review (How are you doing?) You do not want to be chopping and changing you plans every week, however it is wise to review your progress from time to time in order to see how you can improve. Every game and training session will be an opportunity to learn and grow, so make sure you’re using your time and effort effectively.

APRIL SCHOOL HOLIDAY PROGRAM - PATHWAY TO NEXT SEASON

The program will focus on reviewing your performance this season and identifying areas of your game requiring improvement.

Working individually and in small groups over two days, players will work with Elite Cricket coaches in the nets, with the bowling machine and in game scenarios to identify what work needs to be done to improve tactical and technical skills critical to their game for next season.

Players will receive a detailed report including technical and tactical analysis and key recommendations on areas needing improvement.

SPECIAL OFFER: The off-season is an excellent time to work on your skills without the pressure of gameplay. All players in the program will be offered the opportunity to purchase a special promotional package to attend over the winter months a series of 5 High Performance Individual Coaching sessions but only pay for 4.

April School Holiday Enrolment Form

HIGH PERFORMANCE INDIVIDUAL COACHING

Why not give yourself the best chance of success?

Our High Performance Individual Coaching offers an intensive specialist coaching program for players of all ages and experience.

• Great for building confidence in your own game
• Learn, improve and hone new skills away from the pressure of match play
• Correct techniques (particularly those that may cause injury) before they become an integral part of your game and are difficult to change
• You can book for one session or as many as you like, however we recommend a minimum of 6 sessions over consecutive weeks to enable a stronger understanding and knowledge of your game

Cheers

Mark