by Richard Pybus
(Taj, Dhaka, Bangladesh)
Mark Boucher : Marathon Man
Hi Coach, how can I develop my mental toughness for wicket keeping?
Hi Taj, the focus needed for wicket keeping is the same as that for batting, as it’s the same cycle of attention and intention – attention is focus and intention is the goal, catching the ball.
As I wrote previously about Hashim Amla and his ability to manage his focus,
I stated that,
‘Mental Toughness’ is about being able to manage your focus, regardless of distraction, so that you can perform your skills to achieve your goals.’
Wicket Keeping is about your keeping technique, when that is good it them becomes about the mind. Learning to manage it, keeping it quiet and switching your focus on and off for each delivery.
Mark Boucher was a master at this, I believe he acquired this ability as a boy, he was a national squash player for SA and he told me one day when we were discussing concentration, how his squash coach had told him to watch the dot on the ball.
That is the type of focus you need to switch on, when the bowler runs up to bowl, lazer in on the ball in the bowler’s hand,then relax between balls and switch it on again for the next ball.
You do need to work on a solid wicket keeping technique because if you are dropping balls all the time you’ll be worrying about it. Worrying, fear and anxiety all create distraction, you don’t wanted to be distracted by poor keeping technique.
I am going to edit the article I wrote about Hashim Amla
and address the needs of the wicket keeper.
“If you can’t manage your mind, it will wander, it’s what minds do. If you can’t control your focus then you won’t be able to keep effectively, it’s as simple as that.”
Great keepers quietly go about their work, there is no need for flashy moves or showing off.
So what are the key steps to mind management and mental toughness for keeping?
1. Goals: Have goals, know what you want and how you are going to do it. The structure to this is strategy.
The obvious goal in keeping is catching the ball, taking catches, effecting stumpings and running the fielding sides’ performance.
Every keeper wants to do this, but they don’t always turn that intent into a plan and then manage it.
1. Game Plan: Work out your game plan and practice it.
Write down how you are going to work through each stage of your performance in the field, it will make you apply your mind and think about what you want to make happen in the middle. You are designing your performance.
Key Stages: New ball – middle overs – keeping to spin – standing up to the stumps – spin / medium pace – death overs – managing game – fielding positions.
Keep it simple, the subconscious mind wants simplicity and direction. It’s as simple as watch the ball, catch the ball, repeat.
2. Practice: Use training opportunities at the nets and in middle practices to work on what you want to make happen in game time.
If you don’t have a specific game plan for practice that replicates your game plan in the middle, you are not training anything other than having a bit of fun.
Constantly work to improve your game, not dreaming about it, but doing it.
3. Managing your mind while you keep.
More time keeping in the middle is spent waiting for the bowler to bowl than it is catching the ball.
Managing this time between balls is a key part of wicket keeping and this is where the great keepers are so exceptional.
They are the masters of keeping their minds quiet between balls, literally switching them off to recharge the battery, to then switch the focus back on when the bowler gets back to the top of his mark.
How do they do it?
Practice managing your focus in training, so that it runs on automatic in game time. Practice keeping in the nets, you won’t get many catches but visualise and simulate catching every ball.
Build a routine between balls that rests the mind so you can switch it back on when you need to.
Focus on your breathing, your positive self talk, relaxing your body and quietening your mind to manage your mental energy effectively.
Use these techniques to create your routine, switching your focus on and off between balls.
Check out the tips in the Mental Game section for help with these.
Best wishes Coach
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About Richard Pybus
I'm Richard Pybus, I've coached Pakistan, Bangladesh, Middlesex, Titans and the Cape Cobras in South Africa and the goal of this site is to help you to play winning cricket.