Even though my fitness results are good, I would like to train to maintain and even improve my current fitness levels further. I play cricket in the summer and football in the winter and the training requirements are different for each. However, both sports do require a very good level of fitness. In addition to aerobic fitness, each sport has a different set of skills that require practice so that you can improve your level of play.
Cricket Requirements
Cricket does require a good level of aerobic fitness. Cricketers in the field can run up to 4-5 kilometres in a day. Short sprints are required when chasing balls in the field, and for running effectively between the wickets, particularly when taking quick singles, or putting pressure on the fieldsmen when taking a second or third run. I can improve my aerobic fitness for cricket through interval training and short repeated sprint training (which will also help for anaerobic bursts of sprinting). Cricket specific circuits can improve running between the wickets, and in-close fielding. My other training requirements for cricket should focus on improving skills – batting drills to correct technique and improve muscle memory for batting strokes; catching drills for both reflex catches (in slips), and catching high balls in the outfield; and bowling drills and coaching to work on the techniques specific to my type of bowling. I am a leg spinner for example, so I need to work on finger strength, and developing variation in deliveries, by learning to bowl some new balls, such as the flipper and wrong-‘un.
Cricket does require a good level of aerobic fitness. Cricketers in the field can run up to 4-5 kilometres in a day. Short sprints are required when chasing balls in the field, and for running effectively between the wickets, particularly when taking quick singles, or putting pressure on the fieldsmen when taking a second or third run. I can improve my aerobic fitness for cricket through interval training and short repeated sprint training (which will also help for anaerobic bursts of sprinting). Cricket specific circuits can improve running between the wickets, and in-close fielding. My other training requirements for cricket should focus on improving skills – batting drills to correct technique and improve muscle memory for batting strokes; catching drills for both reflex catches (in slips), and catching high balls in the outfield; and bowling drills and coaching to work on the techniques specific to my type of bowling. I am a leg spinner for example, so I need to work on finger strength, and developing variation in deliveries, by learning to bowl some new balls, such as the flipper and wrong-‘un.
Football Requirements
Football requires you to run at reasonably high intensity for two 45-minute halves, so obviously an excellent level of aerobic endurance is essential to be able to play at a high level for the full game. My aerobic fitness for football can be improved through interval training, playing small-sided games, playing game simulations and undertaking football specific circuit training. Short repeated sprinting is also useful for the anaerobic sprinting bursts required in football when I make a run, or turn and chase down an attacker. My other training requirements for football should focus on ball-handling skills to improve my ability to maintain possession of the ball when under pressure, and make accurate passes to teammates. Speed and agility are also important considerations to be able to make tackles, avoid tackles when in possession, run effectively with the ball, and sprint into gaps, giving my teammates options in attack.
Football requires you to run at reasonably high intensity for two 45-minute halves, so obviously an excellent level of aerobic endurance is essential to be able to play at a high level for the full game. My aerobic fitness for football can be improved through interval training, playing small-sided games, playing game simulations and undertaking football specific circuit training. Short repeated sprinting is also useful for the anaerobic sprinting bursts required in football when I make a run, or turn and chase down an attacker. My other training requirements for football should focus on ball-handling skills to improve my ability to maintain possession of the ball when under pressure, and make accurate passes to teammates. Speed and agility are also important considerations to be able to make tackles, avoid tackles when in possession, run effectively with the ball, and sprint into gaps, giving my teammates options in attack.