This article is part of the miCricketCoach 2009 Case Study. To stay up to date with their progress get the free newsletter.

Our two case study subjects have been working hard since we last caught up with them.

For Geraint and Naz to make improvements in their game, we need to find out where they are at the start. They have both been keeping detailed training logs and I sent them both a questionnaire to fill in the gaps.

We have come up with some initial plans to help make improvements to every aspect of their preparation from what they eat to how they play their shots. Here are the initial findings and what we plan to do next.

Both players are batsmen who also bowl. They have self identified several weaknesses in their games.

Geraint overbalances when he is batting suggesting there is something wrong with his initial setup. He may be closing off his shoulders or have is head leaning too far over as he waits for the bowler. He is trying to arrange a video of his batting in the nets to see if this is the case. We have not started working on his bowling yet but the plan is to keep his pace up over a spell and develop a good slower ball.

Naz's batting issues seem to be more mental than technical. However he is good off his legs but is prone to getting out LBW. This could be due to an angled downswing of his bat, a poor head position or closed off shoulders. Video analysis should help identify this issue further.

Both men are currently training, which is an excellent start. I have rewritten both their programs to help them get a bit more cricket specific in their training.

I have increased the amount of power type work they are doing with exercises like jump squats. I have also asked them both to switch to interval style training for conditioning work. Both are also now looking at a more comprehensive mobility and flexibility plan.

From the initial questions it seems that Naz has the greater need to improve his performance thinking, particularly when it comes to the confidence to come out of a slump in form. However both men have areas they can work on.

Initially we are not making a plan for this area. There is no need to try and do everything at once and mental training is a big change to make.

The worst is saved to last! Both agree that they have big nutritional improvements to make. Neither of them have any nutritional structure. Geraint, from the UK but currently living and playing in Australia, is showing particularly bad habits that could upset his health and his game.

The initial plan is to come up with a series of rules the players feel they can stick to themselves for 90% of their meals. We will then monitor compliance.

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