Wicketkeepers have unique fitness needs compared to the rest of the team. The biggest difference is endurance strength and flexibility. The frequent 'squatting down' requires endurance strength and core stability and when wicketkeepers move they tend to move extremely quickly, thus relying on speed and power.
To adhere to the principle of specificity, fitness training for wicketkeepers should replicate the movement patterns and metabolic demands placed on a wicketkeeper during a game. The typical movements of a wicketkeeper include:-
speed off the mark - 0-10m
changing direction and reacting as quickly as possible
Jumping with equal effort from both legs
Jumping laterally with more effort coming from one leg
getting up quickly from the floor
catching and then lunging or throwing the ball to 'stump'
Virtually all these activities are anaerobic by nature and rely heavily on strength and power, and speed and agility. A sound level of endurance fitness will help keepers recover from these intense bouts of movement.
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FACT FILE
One of the most common goals for wicketkeepers is improvement in leap
