Resistance shouldn't be caused by your resistance training.

If you didn't already know one of my major aims is to increase the quality of the physical preparation of cricketers. I have consistently said that cricketers of today are playing to train rather than training to play. Meaning they are playing and then training as a chore rather than viewing training as an opportunity to ready themselves physically, technically and mentally for game day. I am pleased to say in my short period of time producing this newsletter and having an online cricket fitness resource. Many cricketers have asked for advice on weights/resistance training and preparation topics. This is great and it probably shows that I am ranting to the converted.

Which rang a little alarm bell within me. I just want to pass on that if you are completing resistance training of some sort then please heed the following words of advice. Especially because a fair percentage of you are overseas and in season at the moment. And for the cricketers now starting to get into preseason mode this advice can be taken into the season with you. Any major challenging and new strength training work should be completed in the off and preseason periods. Any weights work that is going to be completed in season should be of a maintenance nature only. So if you are starting to prepare for the upcoming season and you have satisfied yourself you are in good postural alignment. It is time to get into your resistance training phase.

If you are new to strength training then I suggest you wait till the off season before you start. Your muscles, ligaments and joints will be already under enough pressure from the rigours of the game. Weights training will damage muscles slightly and they get stronger when they repair themselves. The last thing you want to do is severely tax your muscles and central nervous system in season and close to game days. This will only succeed in making you slower and you will fatigue physically and mentally a lot quicker. Plus the metabolic demand on the body will be increased and so will the nutritional demands. So in effect the whole process will cause too much disturbance metabolically, physically and mentally to your system. Not allowing you to perform at your peak and encouraging over training and breakdown. By the same token a maintenance phase in season is vital. You stand to lose more without a maintenance phase.