EAPI Fitness

• Speed (strength)

  Faster Running Between the Wickets: getting quick singles, rotating strike, and turning ones into twos. can increase pressure on fielding sides, making it difficult for them to prevent runs or complete run-outs. Increased Fielding Efficiency: covering ground quickly, intercepting boundaries, and stopping fast-moving balls. chase down balls more effectively, reducing the number of runs conceded, and their agility allows them to make quicker, more accurate throws.
• Speed (weakness)

  Risk of Overexertion or Fatigue: relying too heavily on it can lead to fatigue. A player who expends excessive energy in the field or while batting may tire quickly, leading to a decrease in performance later. Decreased Fielding Accuracy: excessive haste can result in errors. Rushing to field a ball can lead to misfields, dropped catches, or missed run-outs, as the fielder may prioritise speed over precision.
• Speed (theory)

  •Theory - Energy systems – ATP-PC is predominant system – low yield and small PC stores – batter will have to take breaks between balls to allow resynthesise – eliminate the flow the batter is in – lack of rhythm means shot execution in weaker – no longer can hit the ball cleanly never mind running between the wickets
• Power (strength)

  Explosive Batting Ability: enables batsmen to hit boundaries (fours and sixes), crucial in T20s or during the death. clear infield with ease, accelerating scoring rates and putting pressure on opposition.

  Explosive Fielding: Quick throws, powerful dives, and rapid acceleration to stop boundaries reflect high levels of power, improving team defence. Overall success: Saves crucial runs, boosts morale, and applies pressure on opposition.
• Power (weakness)

  Lack of Control: Excessive focus on power in batting may lead to poor shot selection or mistimed strokes, resulting in dismissals.

  Injury Risk: Overexertion during high-power activities increases the risk of injuries, such as muscle tears or joint strain.
• Power (theory)

  •Theory – Strength training - Explosive strength is crucial for generating maximum force during powerful shots.
• Strength (strength)

  Batting Power: generate power in shots, especially for boundaries and sixes. Link to success: execute shots like lofted drives and pull shots with greater force, harder for fielders to stop them.

  Fielding Power: allowing fielders to make long-distance throws to stumps or wicketkeeper. Link to success: Quick, powerful throws are critical in run-out situations, particularly in deep field.
• Strength (weakness)

  Limited Functional Strength: Overemphasis on strength without agility or flexibility can hinder movement, particularly in fielding and running between wickets. Link to success: Players with excessive bulk may struggle with dynamic movements, reducing effectiveness in fast-paced scenarios.

  Power Inefficiency: Poor transfer of strength to cricket-specific skills lead to wasted effort. Link to success: Strength alone does not guarantee success if not applied efficiently during game.
• Strength (theory)

  •Theory – Strength training - Explosive strength is crucial for generating maximum force during powerful shots.
• Flexibility (strength)

  Improved Range of Motion: allows players to execute technically demanding movements, such as diving catches or low crouches for wicketkeepers. Link to success: Enhanced joint mobility enables fielders and bowlers to perform with greater efficiency, reducing likelihood of misfields or ineffective deliveries.

  Enhanced Technique in Batting and Bowling: Batters with good flexibility can play a variety of strokes, such as low sweeps, reverse sweeps, and lofted drives, without risking strain.
• Flexibility (weakness)

  •Lack of Specific Training: Cricket players often neglect flexibility in favour of strength or power training, leading to tight muscles that restrict movement efficiency. Overall success: Limited flexibility may hinder performance, such as struggling to dive effectively or execute full bowling actions.

  Impact on Recovery: Poor flexibility can increase muscle tightness and delays in recovery after high-intensity efforts like fast bowling spells or multiple diving efforts.
• Flexibility (theory)

  •Theory – types of flexibility – dynamic stretching –player is able to increase their range of motion about a joint allowing them stretch that extra distance for a catch or to make their body bigger
• Muscular endurance (strength)

  Batting Consistency: maintain their posture, footwork, and stroke execution during prolonged innings. Link to success: Ensures players can adapt to changing conditions and keep their focus.

  Fielding Stamina: Fielders, especially those in positions like deep cover or the boundary, need muscular endurance to sprint repeatedly and stay agile throughout game. Link to performance: Ensures they can perform high-intensity actions, such as chasing balls or throwing accurately, even in the later stages of a match.
• Muscular endurance (weakness)

  Reduced Effectiveness in High-Intensity Situations: Limited endurance impacts performance during extended play. Link to theory: Reduced ability to sustain submaximal contractions affects skill execution in high-pressure scenarios.

  Impact on Recovery: Poor muscular endurance slows recovery during short breaks between overs or innings. Overall success: Player's struggle to maintain high performance across multiple sessions in a single match.
• Muscular endurance (theory)

  •Theory – aerobic energy system – Maintaining concentration and performance over a long innings involves the aerobic system to sustain endurance.
• Agility (strength)

  Fielding Reactions: Agility enables fielders to react quickly to unpredictable ball movements. Link to success: Enhances ability to dive, change direction, and complete quick throws to prevent runs or effect run-outs.

  Running Between Wickets: allows batters to change direction rapidly when completing quick singles or responding to calls of their partner. Link to success: Quick decision-making and sharp turns reduce likelihood of run-outs and increase scoring opportunities.
• Agility (weakness)

  Slow Reaction Times: reduces the ability to react to quick changes, leading to misfields or dropped catches. Link to success: Weak agility can cost crucial runs or chances.

  Poor Footwork: Weak agility in batters affects ability to adjust to deliveries, leading to mistimed shots or missed opportunities to rotate strike. Link to success: A batter with poor footwork struggles to counter spinners or negotiate yorkers effectively.
• Agility (theory)

  •Theory – caffeine – stimulates central nervous system – which increases reaction – react to ball quicker – high likelihood of playing most effective shot
• balance (strength)

  Batting Stability: Good balance enables batters to maintain control when playing shots, particularly during drives or aggressive movements like hooks and sweeps. Link to success: A balanced batter can execute precise, powerful shots with less risk of losing their stance.

  Fielding Movements: Balance is essential for fielders diving to catch or throwing while off-balance, particularly in dynamic situations. Link to success: Fielders can recover quickly after dives or sprints, maintaining effectiveness throughout a match.
• Balance (weakness)

  Instability Under Pressure: lead to players losing their stance when facing high-speed deliveries or playing under challenging conditions. Link to success: Loss of balance in batting can result in poor shot selection, mistimed strokes, or being bowled out.

  Difficulty in Complex Fielding: Weak balance impacts fielders’ ability to throw accurately after a dive or catch under pressure. Link to success: Poor balance limits ability to make impactful plays, especially near boundary.
• Balance (theory)

  •Theory – Role of National institutes – provide cricket coaches with technical support that enables athletes and coaches to optimise their training programmes – such as the Bosu, resistance bands and cable machines to improve balance drastically
• Co-ordination (strength)

  Improved Batting Precision: allows a batsman to synchronise movement of their hands, eyes, and feet when facing a bowler. helps timing ball effectively, crucial for playing accurate shots and avoiding being dismissed.

  Enhanced Fielding Skills: In fielding, coordination between eyes and hands is crucial for catching and throwing accurately. Fielders must react quickly to the ball’s trajectory, and coordinated movements allow them to execute efficient and successful catches and throws.
• Co-ordination (weakness)

  •Inconsistent Performance: Lack of coordination may lead to inconsistent performances, particularly in batting. A batter who struggles with coordination might mistime shots or miss the ball altogether, leading to a higher chance of getting out.

  Increased Risk of Injury: Poor coordination in fielding may lead to inefficient movements, increasing risk of muscle strains, sprains, or other injuries. .
• Co-ordination (theory)

  •Theory – classification of skill – complex skill – need good coordination to be able to pick up the line and length of the ball – giving a better chance of hitting it cleanly.
• Cardiovascular endurance (strength)

  Improved Stamina for Batting: allows players to maintain high energy levels throughout extended periods of batting. important for batsmen who may need to bat for hours or for bowlers who are required to bowl long spells without losing performance quality.

  Better Fielding Performance: requires quick sprints, sharp directional changes, and high-intensity efforts. Good cardiovascular endurance enables fielders to perform these actions repeatedly without losing performance quality.
• Cardiovascular endurance (weakness)

  Fatigue and Decline in Performance: experience fatigue more quickly, which leads to a drop in their performance. affect various aspects of game, including reduced batting concentration, slower reaction times in field.

  Reduced Speed and Agility: lack of specific aerobic conditioning can result in a reduction in speed and agility, particularly for players who need to cover large areas of the field or make rapid movements in batting and bowling.
• Cardiovascular endurance (theory)

  •Theory – aerobic training – increased number of RBCs/haemoglobin volume – increase vascular shunt mechanism – able to inspire and more oxygen when batting – vital especially when batting for long periods – able to maintain bodily processes meaning batting levels remain high
• Reaction time (strength)

  •Improved Batting Performance: facing fast bowlers or spin bowlers with a wide variety of deliveries. A batsman with fast reaction time can judge ball's line, length, and swing or spin and make decisions swiftly, leading to more effective shot execution.

  Better Fielding Response: Fielding in cricket often requires immediate action, such as diving for a catch, stopping a ball, or reacting to an opponent’s quick run. Good reaction time helps fielders make these split-second decisions and execute them accurately.
• Reaction time (weakness)

  Slow Responses to Fast Deliveries: severely hinder a batsman’s ability to judge fast deliveries, increasing risk of getting out. Bowlers who bowl at high speeds or swing the ball will challenge even the most skilled batsmen if their reaction time is subpar.

  Inability to Anticipate the Ball’s Path: difficult to judge the flight of the ball, particularly with spin. Spinners can deceive batsmen by changing ball’s trajectory, and slow reactions can lead to batsman missing the ball or getting out LBW.
• Reaction time (theory)

  •Theory – caffeine – stimulates central nervous system – which increases reaction – react to ball quicker – high likelihood of playing most effective shot