With respect to Brendan's question...

Although we must be careful not to take this out of context, a midway action is no more contraindicative than a front on action... or indeed a side on action.

Without seeing the medical notes it is impossible to comment specifically, only generally. For instance, it is possible for the 12 year old to present with an underlying issue which does make the midway action a poor choice... he may not have a 'normal' spinal curve for example.

Generally then, if a player is suffering from functional movement deficits he should be referred to a kinesiologist; this would be a biomechanical issue and not necessarily a mixed action... incorrect sequencing or speed of action. There may also be soft tissue issues preventing the action from being executed correctly.

Now that's a question David! To be honest, everything you can imagine and more.

As you suggested, imbalances in the back muscles due to the 'one sided' sport cause many of the issues. If we are talking about seniors who pump, this can be much worse... although I hasten to add that it is not the pumping that makes it worse but pumping with the imbalances!

Incorrect stretches are the bain of my life. For instance, poorly executed quad stretches stretch one, two or three of the four muscles, which is pointless at best because they will only work to the limits and extents of the poorer, weaker one that ends up tight and marled.

Then stretching the wrong muscles; I throw my hands in the air when I see some stretching their backs when their pecs are tight or they tell me they are stretching their backs when in fact they are contracting them!

Batsman with poor power often suffer shoulder impingement and rotator cuff deficits.

However, back to Brendan's son, more often than not [about 95%] I can diagnose the cause of a pace bowler's back issues by looking at their feet... and more often than not the main issues are chronically tight or shortened calf muscles.

'Mixed action' is thrown around a lot these days but quite often, it is a symptom of other soft tissue issues rather than a cause in itself so trying to correct the mixed action fails to work unless the issues are addressed.

What have you done with the David that I have known and loved for all these years?

I don't use aids; that's what my hands, digits, arms, elbows, knees etc are for... along with STR, MET, NMT, PR, MLD, friction, compression, vibration, effleurage, petrissage, tapotement etc !

However, if an athlete does not have a soft tissue specialist at hand, I guess a foam roller would do a good job... as long as they are absolutely sure of the diagnosis.

Not everybody has a sports science background so just knowing that they have tight or shortened calf muscles (for example) will only help if they know which of the many it may be and what its origins, actions and innervations are.

Self diagnosis can be harmful... as I had to tell the player who had been using a tennis ball for discomfort in the semitendinosis which turned to pain as he ruptured the fibres!

Joking apart, a foam roller is an important piece of kit for any sports person.

Unfortunately, maintenance is extremely underrated amongst recreational cricketers but by keeping your muscles at a good length and free from adhesions can prevent the tensions and trigger points that will cause injury. Not only will downtime be minimised but you have the added bonus of longevity.

Using a foam roller can actually stretch muscles that are impossible to stretch properly through movement; classic stretches.

However, I cannot recommend and encourage enough going to see a sport and remedial massage therapist at least once, probably prior to the season. They can diagnose and correct any issues before you even know you have them!