This is part of a collection of 3 short reports that examine how to achieve enhanced performance and greater accuracy by improving
VISUAL data processing utilizing these particular mental processes:
Visualization
R.A.S (Reticular Activating System, used for filtering data)
Laser-like focus and concentration using Dead Aim principles
As you read the reports, you will notice how these particular mental processes are inextricably linked through each skill examination in turn, as we study :
Visualization
R.A.S (Reticular Activating System, used for filtering data)
Laser-like focus and concentration using Dead Aim principles
As you read the reports, you will notice how these particular mental processes are inextricably linked through each skill examination in turn, as we study :
Part 2 - DEAD AIM FOR BOWLERS
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 over-arm, in cricket, 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.
Bowlers of all ages love to hit the stumps – it reinforces self-efficacy and has a real feel-good factor. SO, 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 from coaches and team mates alike.
But whether it is hearing the requirements as 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 (about 15in diameter) on a length in the nets and a visible ‘Stumpi’ square-shaped foam target on the top of off stump.
Bowling over-arm, in cricket, 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.
Bowlers of all ages love to hit the stumps – it reinforces self-efficacy and has a real feel-good factor. SO, 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 from coaches and team mates alike.
But whether it is hearing the requirements as 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 (about 15in diameter) on a length in the nets and a visible ‘Stumpi’ square-shaped foam target on the top of off stump.
- I stood with the bowlers and we assessed the visual field.
- The area of net flooring 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, and only this point, as they ran in - taking no conscious regard of any part 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 were 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 learning Joes!
We then changed the bowling line for left-handed
bats and then also changed length parameters - by moving the hoop nearer or
further away from the stumps or to the other side. The effect was immediate and in keeping with previous results. The bowlers were
able to adjust for LH bats/change of lengths merely by processing the new
sensory input data from the eyes.
Using dead aim, especially practicing with visual markers as guides, is hugely successful. The bonus is that, by focussing closely upon a very small single point, when the outcome is not 100% successful on point hitting, it is certainly 75-80% accurate. And that level of accuracy is still good enough to qualify as a “good ball”!
Using dead aim, especially practicing with visual markers as guides, is hugely successful. The bonus is that, by focussing closely upon a very small single point, when the outcome is not 100% successful 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 match situations where they won’t have the hoop to put down as a marker for the horizontal field?
This is where careful pitch scrutiny is vital,
so that zones (akin to our green smear) can be recognized from a distance. As a
bowler yourself, or as a coach or manager telling your players -
Do the visualisation and plotting of detailed points from both bowling ends - and allow for the line to left handers as well as right. The big plus to remember is that the bowlers will always have the stumps as markers for the vertical field, so they draw the imaginary line back from off stump (or just outside) just as far as the length they want to bowl.
Most bowlers will have Visual as their primary (lead) or certainly secondary re-presentational system. This is why dead aim targeting is so important.
Just using words like “find a spot and aim for it” will not work anything like as well. You need to give them ALL the visual handles or it will take much longer for them. And as we all know too well, distractions destroy concentration!
This is such a portable skill that it can be applied to ANY set of circumstances, venues, etc. It relies purely on the volume and undistracted quality of the bowlers’ own visual data input.
Do you know any bowlers who do this?
Try it yourself and see.
Dissociating from the other senses (audible, kinaesthetic and particularly internal dialogue) is very 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. With more data input the mind-body link performs better, and with better exclusion of distractions there is less interference and better results.
* - (RAS is Reticular Activating System - the brain's perceptive filter)
Do the visualisation and plotting of detailed points from both bowling ends - and allow for the line to left handers as well as right. The big plus to remember is that the bowlers will always have the stumps as markers for the vertical field, so they draw the imaginary line back from off stump (or just outside) just as far as the length they want to bowl.
Most bowlers will have Visual as their primary (lead) or certainly secondary re-presentational system. This is why dead aim targeting is so important.
Just using words like “find a spot and aim for it” will not work anything like as well. You need to give them ALL the visual handles or it will take much longer for them. And as we all know too well, distractions destroy concentration!
This is such a portable skill that it can be applied to ANY set of circumstances, venues, etc. It relies purely on the volume and undistracted quality of the bowlers’ own visual data input.
Do you know any bowlers who do this?
Try it yourself and see.
Dissociating from the other senses (audible, kinaesthetic and particularly internal dialogue) is very 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. With more data input the mind-body link performs better, and with better exclusion of distractions there is less interference and better results.
* - (RAS is Reticular Activating System - the brain's perceptive filter)
The dissociating (switching off) process will
take practice, of course. There are countless distractions to bombard us – the
biggest of which is our own THINKING in the form our internal chatter
and self-talk. However, the biggest control we have over our THINKING is the
way we can control our ATTENTION (a crucial component of concentration.)
Directing our attention to as much detailed Visual Data as we can, will take it
towards 100% and reduce % attention to other data correspondingly.
How liberating is this for a bowler – regardless of age?
How liberating is this for a bowler – regardless of age?
In coaching terms, he is usually bombarded
with instructions, as the process of bowling is hugely complex. Remembering
them all is tough. Now – unless I am specifically correcting something errant
or quirky about their action, all I ask them to do is ONE thing – visually concentrate
(FOCUS and ATTENTION.)
A further element of portability with this process is linking it to your bowlers’ visualizations. This gives them a wonderful way to practice and rehearse dissociating from other sensual input and keeps reinforcing those mind-body links that are so vital to this process. It also gives them a further fall-back position for times when the quality of visual data input is compromised by extraneous noise and errant thoughts!
A further element of portability with this process is linking it to your bowlers’ visualizations. This gives them a wonderful way to practice and rehearse dissociating from other sensual input and keeps reinforcing those mind-body links that are so vital to this process. It also gives them a further fall-back position for times when the quality of visual data input is compromised by extraneous noise and errant thoughts!
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