After 5 scores below 10 at the end of the season what advice or strategies could people offer for me to work on during the off season.

I’m 17 and was batting 4 and I really want to be a lot more confident at the start of next season.

Nick,
A sequence of low scores is not always a sign of a larger problem. All cricketers of all abilities will go through periods where for reasons unknown, you just happen to get out, it could be a result of some very good bowling, or a great piece of fielding, a lapse in concentration, heaven forbid a suspect decision, or all of the above.
Unless you have some analytics available on your dismissals, it will be pretty difficult to detect areas to work on, but with anything, if you want to improve, you need to put the hard work in.
So my recommendations would be:
- Work on your fitness during winter. The fitter you are, your fatigue levels drop, and concentration levels increase. This does not just mean running kms, doing running between the wicket drills to improve your speed.
- Don't just concentrate on your batting fitness, put time into your fielding fitness as well, as you will be spending as much time in the field as batting
- Try and get some indoor (and outdoor sessions in). If you could have someone video them, that would be a great way to check that all of your movements and positioning are correct.
- There are plenty of batting drills available on the internet, that can assist you once you have detected an issue
- Even look into private coaching with an CA qualified coach
- Don't be afraid to ask players and coaches you know for help, I am sure they would love to assist
- Keep enjoying the game, don't be disheartened, you will experience good times as well

Hi Nick,

I 100% agree with Wayne's terrific advice.

The fact you're asking the question in April is a great sign you want to improve. Just remember it's a long winter and you have plenty of time to rebuild your confidence before the start of next season.

If you're lucky to have your games streamed through frogbox or another service go back through your dismissals and see if you can identify any pattern and potential areas to improve. Don't also hesitate in going back to look at footage of the innings you did score runs. Positive reinforcement is a great tool to build confidence. If available video analysis is such a valuable resource to help identify the good parts of your batting and the areas you need to improve.

If you look for a coach, as Wayne quite rightly suggested, please make sure it is someone you trust and that they have your best interests at heart, not a conveyor belt coach.

Here's a link to a couple of videos with Ricky Ponting sharing terrific batting insights - https://www.cricconnect.com/profile/32/paul-ryan/blog/2098/two-terrific-batting-masterclasses-involving-one-of-australias-greatest-ever-batters-ricky-ponting

Most importantly, enjoy your training, enjoy finding ways to improve and scoring runs. Have fun Nick

Hi Nick,
You’ve been given great advice.
However, try not to over complicate things. You’ve probably heard the saying “see ball hit ball” it could be as simple as that with a few things to keep in mind when you go out to bat.

1) Try be calm when at the crease and enjoy spending time at the crease without putting pressure on yourself for scoring a certain amount of runs. Enjoy being at the crease and runs will come.

2) Keep your head still. Focussing on keeping your head still keeps your eye on the ball and balanced.

3) Get a good balanced stance with weight going right through the middle of your feet. Having a good foundation helps with your movements.

4) Having your weight going towards the ball regardless what side of the wicket is key for timing/power.

5) Enjoy the game!
You’re at the start of your career, don’t put too much pressure on yourself.