Strength & Power > Introduction
Strength training is vital if you want to excel in cricket. It means bowling faster, throwing the ball further, running faster between the wickets and hitting the ball that much further when you find that sweet spot.
Strength for Cricket
Strength is the ability of the body, or a part of the body, to apply or withstand force. The development of strength relies on resistance training and involves exercising at various loads, modes, speeds, angles and frequencies. The combination of these variables dictates the outcome of the resistance programme.
Strength is required for power production, stabilising a joint, supporting arms and legs (core stability), avoiding injury, and coping with contact. The resistance used during strength training can be your bodyweight, bodyweight plus a weighted vest, barbells and dumbells with light, medium or heavy loads, medicine balls or an unstable surface such as a wobble board or swiss ball. The unstable surface creates resistance for the body to work against.
Power
It is the application of speed that translates strength into power.
It is essential that players develop strength and core stability before progressing to power drills. Strength alone will enhance speed and jumping ability even before starting specific power training options. Power training options include sprinting while wearing a weighted vest or pulling a sled, plyometrics, and Olympic lifts.
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