So here it is. The final week of the season. It has without doubt been one of the most unusual seasons I have played, mainly due to the fact the weather has been so torrid. This has led to many matches being abandoned or rain effected and as a result has meant that the season never really got into full flow.
At Kimberley, while there have been many positives, I do feel, slightly, that this year has been a missed opportunity to some extent. With some of the traditionally strong league challengers being hindered by the weather, it presented a chance for some of the other clubs to step forward and put together a title challenge. Cuckney have really set the standard this year, and assuming, as expected, that they win the title this weekend, it will be much deserved (as it will be for the Academy if an unusual set of results takes it in their direction). For a period in the middle of the season it looked like we might piece together a challenge, but once again, we couldn’t find the form or consistency at the crucial stages to keep the pressure on at the top.
So what could make the difference for us next season? Well firstly, I actually don’t think that we are too far off in terms of the personnel that we have. I am sure Sam will be looking at the balance of the squad and will no doubt be looking to make one or two additions in the winter months to fill gaps he thinks need plugging. But, on the whole, I think we have a group of players with the ability to beat any of the teams in our league on our day. And that is where the challenge lies. We need to make it ‘our day’ more often.
Players need to strive to be more consistent with their performances if we are to put together any realistic assault on silverware in 2013. So how do we become more consistent? Well there is only one answer. Purposeful practice. As a group, we need to find a way of practising with the intensity and desire required to attain the improvements and quality of our performances that we need to deliver on the weekend.
I have seen it all before. On too many occasions players go through the motions of ‘netting’. There is no game plan as a batsman, no focus to what you want to achieve. Without these objectives, any training or practice will lose its effectiveness. After all, why practice if you don’t actually know what you are trying to improve?
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| The traditional image of a club net session, but, what is the purpose? |
The direction and purpose should not always come from a Coach of Captain either. As a player you need to be more aware of what you need to develop and improve and take responsibility for it. This might be a particular shot, catching in a specific position, or as simple as concentrating on your bowling for six balls in a row.
If we can find purpose in our practice next season, we might just find the success we are desperately looking for. See you all in 2013!!
Ps. Look out for my new blog on the hockey season – ‘Glove on Stick’ coming soon!
