How can a humble balloon be an aid to improving footwork and agility?

Cricket is a game that requires fast feet.

Agility and quickness are vital elements of your overall training and a balloon can be a key element in improving:

• Coming down the wicket to spinners
• Turning when running between the wickets
• Quick direction changes when diving or chasing a ball in the field
• Wicketkeepers moving to take a ball on the leg side

Ideally you need a complete speed and agility programme that you work on throughout the year.

However, for a quick and fun way to get working on your agility all you need is a clear space and 3 balloons.

1. After a good warm up, start by tapping one balloon from hand to hand. Pretty easy so far?
2. Add another balloon and try to keep both in the air as long as you can.
3. If that’s too easy, add a third balloon.
4. See how long you can do it for.
5. Repeat as many times as you like: The more the better.

You will quickly see how you need to move your feet as fast as possible to keep all balloons in the air.

Keep doing this as often as you can (especially in preseason training) and you will find your ability to change direction improving quickly.

You can do it on it’s own, or integrate it into a complete cricket fitness and skills programme (if you want help with setting one of these up please get in touch). It's suitable for any age cricketer from 6-60 and especially younger players who need to work on their agility more than older players.

Don’t forget to cool down afterwards.

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