Prodigy Coach Forum

Guru · Pro Joined: 26 Nov 2007 Posts: 50

The human brain is an amazing set of control processors - and those who cultivate mind-body links whether through conscious or unconscious processes or a balance of the two, can achieve extraordinary states and outcomes.

Bowling is such a complex physical process that I like to deal with one element at a time, otherwise there is requirement overload. But what about the players' expectations within the coaching paradigm? Be sure to factor these into your strategic plan and the progress will be of geometric proportions.

The expectational judgement is usually to hit the stumps...and if you can add in a length target as an alternative to the strike then they can measure progress in two dimensions. Then they can quickly grasp those "line and length" encouragements and exhortations.

But whether it is hearing the requirements spoken, or grasping the argument and feeling comfortable with their actions, the widest and open of the senses in this area is the visual. So use it. And I don't mean just use it - but USE IT. We all know and use phrases like laser-like focus, pinpoint accuracy, but if you translate them into a physical field for accuracy practice then you will be surprised by the results.

I placed a small blue hoop on a length in the nets and a "stump target" on off stump. I stood with the bowlers and we assessed the visual field. The area of net within the hoop appeared as a thin green smear from some 20yds distant. I got them to draw an imaginary line from the middle of the stump target down to the visual green "smear". They were to then focus on this point as they ran in - taking no conscious regard of their action. The sensual dissociation took no more than 2-3 balls and then the positive outcomes really started to kick in.
Their levels of consistency of length and line was extraordinary - and of course the feel good factor and sense of achievement for them all was immense. These weren't seasoned or elite bowlers - just your average Joes!

Using dead aim, especially with visual markers as guides, is hugely succesful. The bonus is that by focussing closely upon a single point, when the outcome is not 100% succesful on point hitting it is certainly 75-80% accurate. And that level of accuracy is still good enough to qualify as a "good ball"!! So how do you translate it into real situations? This is where careful pitch scrutiny is vital so zones (akin to our green smear) can be recognised. Do it from both ends - and allow for for the line to left handers as well as right.
Most bowlers will have Visual as their primary (lead) or certainly secondary system. This is why dead aim targeting is so important. Just using words instead of giving them a visual handle, will take much longer.

Do you know any bowlers who do this? Try it yourself and see. Dissociating from the other senses is important and has a direct bearing on the consistency of your outcomes.
Why you may ask?
Switching off other sensual data input from the RAS* actually means your brain will process more detail from the visual data. Its a bit like digital versus analogue. With more data input the mind-body link performs better, and with better exclusion of distractions there is less interference and better results.

Guru

* - (RAS is Reticular Activating System - the brain's perceptive filter)