In this episode, we dive into a crucial but often overlooked topic—why you should fix pain before changing your technique. Pain isn't just a nuisance; it's your body’s way of signaling a deeper issue. We discuss how ignoring pain and pushing through can lead to long-term movement issues, ingrained bad habits, and even worse performance on the field.

You’ll Learn:

• Pain isn’t random; it’s the final alert after your body has tried to compensate for an issue. Ignoring it can lead to movement alterations that negatively impact your cricketing technique.
• Adjusting technique while in pain only reinforces poor habits. Addressing the pain first ensures that your body moves correctly without subconscious compensation.
• Continuing to train through pain can hardwire bad movement patterns into your game. Even after pain subsides, these habits often persist and must be unlearned.

Key Takeaways:

• Pain alters movement and technique – Your body instinctively compensates for pain, which can lead to faulty biomechanics and bad habits in batting, bowling, and fielding.
• Training through pain is like driving on a flat tire – You might get by for a while, but eventually, the damage will catch up to you and worsen your performance.
• Fix pain before making technical adjustments – Addressing the root cause of pain ensures that technique changes are based on proper movement rather than compensation.
• Bad habits formed due to pain can linger – Even when pain is gone, your body may still default to improper movements, requiring retraining to restore optimal technique.
• Be honest about pain – Hiding injuries from coaches or teammates to stay in the game can lead to long-term damage and prevent proper recovery.

Quotes:

“Pain is your body’s final response—it’s been compensating for a long time before it gets to that point.”

“If you keep playing through pain, you’re not just risking injury—you’re changing your technique in ways that might be hard to undo.”

“You don’t want to get stuck in bad habits—get out of pain first, then work on refining your technique.”

Find James on:

• Instagram: @jamesbreese
• Twitter: @_jamesbreese

To learn more about Cricket Matters and download your FREE copy of The High-Performance Handbook, please visit www.cricketmatters.com

In this episode, we dive into the four essential tests we use to screen cricketers for technical deficiencies. These simple yet powerful assessments reveal hidden weaknesses and help athletes improve their balance, movement, and power.

You'll Learn:

• The balance, movement, and power assessments that identify performance limitations and injury risks.
• How vision, vestibular, and proprioceptive systems impact stability and overall athletic performance.
• How a strong lunge pattern reduces injury risks and enhances movement efficiency.
• The importance of lower body and rotational power in maximizing batting, bowling, and fielding potential.

Key Takeaways:

• Balance is foundational – If you can't balance on one leg with eyes closed, it reveals deeper issues that affect every aspect of your cricket performance.
• A strong lunge pattern prevents injuries – Owning a proper lunge position can significantly lower injury risks and improve movement efficiency.
• Power starts from the ground up – Effective power generation begins in the lower body and transfers through the core to enhance cricket skills.
• Asymmetries can limit performance – Identifying and addressing left-right imbalances helps optimize movement and power output.
• Simple tests give powerful insights – These four quick assessments can immediately highlight areas for improvement in any cricketer.

Quotes:

"If you can't balance on one leg, how can you balance speed, a cover drive, or a bowling action?"

"Power isn’t just about strength—it’s about how efficiently you transfer energy from the ground up."

"If you’re struggling with technique despite training, the issue might be physical, not technical."

Find James on:

• Instagram: @jamesbreese
• Twitter: @_jamesbreese

To learn more about Cricket Matters and download your FREE copy of The High-Performance Handbook, please visit www.cricketmatters.com

On this episode, we dive into what it means to be a durable performer. We discuss why reliability and consistency often outweigh raw talent in sports and explore the traits that make athletes like Bruno Fernandes and James Tarkowski indispensable. Whether you're a budding cricketer or just looking to improve your longevity in the game, this episode is for you.

You'll Learn:

• What makes an athlete consistently available and reliable, and why durability is often more valuable than raw talent.
• How balance and rotational ability impact injury prevention and overall performance.
• Why teams need a mix of both and how durable performers form the backbone of any successful squad.
• Simple mindset and training adjustments that can help cricketers become more resilient and available for selection.

Key Takeaways:

• Superstars may be the game-changers, but durable performers are the ones who keep teams competitive over time.
• Injury-prone players often lack balance and rotation, which are crucial for long-term athletic success.
• The best teams don’t just rely on star power—they have a strong core of reliable, consistent athletes who show up every game.
• Understanding your own physical limitations and strengths can help prevent injuries and extend your career.
• If you want to last in any sport, focus on consistency, movement quality, and resilience rather than just raw talent.

Quotes:

"A team full of durable performers is sometimes better than a team full of superstars."

"Bruno Fernandes doesn’t miss a game unless he’s sent off—that’s the kind of reliability teams need."

"Your ability to perform week in, week out, matters just as much as your peak performances."

Find James on:

• Instagram: @jamesbreese
• Twitter: @_jamesbreese

To learn more about Cricket Matters and download your FREE copy of The High-Performance Handbook, please visit www.cricketmatters.com

In this episode, we break down the athleticism of Glenn Phillips, arguably the world's best fielder. We analyze what makes him such a phenomenal athlete and how his background in gymnastics, goalkeeping, and even aviation has contributed to his elite movement skills.

You'll Learn:

• What sets Glenn apart from other cricketers, from his agility to his ability to reuse energy efficiently.
• How Phillips' experience in baseball, American football, and gymnastics shaped his exceptional fielding skills.
• The mechanics of power, rotation, and ground contact time that enable his incredible catches.
• Practical insights on how movement screening, strength, and agility training can enhance your fielding abilities.

Key Takeaways:

• Athleticism Defines Great Fielders – Phillips’ ability to glide across the field and react with lightning-fast reflexes is a result of years of multi-sport training.
• Energy Storage and Reuse is Key – His spring-like movements and efficiency in recycling energy make him an elite fielder.
• Training Beyond Cricket Matters – Learning from other sports, such as baseball and American football, can significantly improve fielding skills.
• Movement Before Power – Screening movement patterns is crucial before focusing on strength and power development.
• Elite Fielding Changes the Game – A fielder of Phillips’ caliber forces opposition players to rethink their shot placement, proving that athleticism can be a game-changer.

Quotes:

"If you want to be the best, you've got to look at what the best do."

"He’s picking up from baseball, football, and gymnastics—all these elements come together to make him world-class."

"Imagine having 11 Glenn Phillips on the field—that would be intimidating."

Find James on:

• Instagram: @jamesbreese
• Twitter: @_jamesbreese

To learn more about Cricket Matters and download your FREE copy of The High-Performance Handbook, please visit www.cricketmatters.com

In this episode, we’re diving into an important question: Are you broken, breaking, or balanced? We'll explore how movement screening helps prevent injuries, optimize performance, and keep athletes in top shape.

You'll Learn:

• The difference between being broken, breaking, and balanced, and why identifying which category you fall into is crucial for performance and longevity.
• How FMS assessments can predict injury risks and improve movement efficiency, making athletes more resilient.
• How pain impacts technique and why addressing it first is the key to effective training.
• What balance really means in an athletic context and why reducing asymmetries can lead to better agility, power, and injury prevention.

Key Takeaways:

• Pain Dictates Performance – If you're in pain, your technique and efficiency suffer. Fixing pain should always come first.
• Breaking is Just as Concerning as Broken – Many athletes don’t realize they’re on the verge of an injury. Movement screening helps catch issues before they escalate.
• Balance Isn’t About Perfection – The goal isn’t to be perfect but to minimize asymmetries that can lead to inefficiencies or injuries.
• Screening is a Must for Injury Prevention – The FMS system has been adopted by elite sports teams to predict and reduce injury risks.
• Cricketers Need to Move in Both Directions – Unlike some sports, cricketers must rotate both ways, making balance even more essential.

Quotes:

"Don't load dysfunction - fix movement before adding strength."

"Pain dictates how well you perform; it impacts everything."

"Most athletes are breaking, not broken, but they don’t even know it."

Find James on:

• Instagram: @jamesbreese
• Twitter: @_jamesbreese

To learn more about Cricket Matters and download your FREE copy of The High-Performance Handbook, please visit www.cricketmatters.com

In this episode, we take a deep dive into Zone 2 training for cricketers - a beginner’s guide to understanding its importance. We’ll break down why Zone 2 training is crucial for endurance, fat oxidation, and overall performance, helping you train smarter, not harder.

You’ll Learn:

• What Zone 2 is, how to measure it, and why it’s an essential part of cardiovascular fitness for cricketers.
• How training in Zone 2 helps your body use fat as a primary fuel source, leading to better endurance and fewer energy crashes.
• How improving your aerobic threshold can enhance your stamina and allow you to maintain performance over longer periods.
• Why Zone 2 training boosts mitochondrial function, leading to better energy production, faster recovery, and sustained performance on the field.

Key Takeaways:

• Zone 2 is about training smarter, not harder. It involves working at 60-70% of your max heart rate to build cardiovascular endurance without overexertion.
• Fat oxidation is key for sustained energy. By training in Zone 2, your body learns to efficiently use fat as fuel, preventing the quick depletion of glycogen stores.
• A higher aerobic threshold leads to better stamina. The goal is to push your aerobic threshold closer to your anaerobic threshold, improving endurance over time.
• Mitochondrial efficiency drives performance. More efficient mitochondria mean better energy production, which translates to longer batting, better bowling, and faster recovery.
• Most people train too hard without realizing it. Many cricketers unknowingly train above Zone 2, missing out on its long-term endurance benefits.

Quotes:

"You can’t train Zone 2 through strength training—it has to be cardiovascular."

"Training in Zone 2 helps your body use fat for fuel, meaning you won’t burn out as quickly."

"Zone 2 is all about efficiency—better heart function, improved energy production, and faster recovery."

Find James on:

• Instagram: @jamesbreese
• Twitter: @_jamesbreese

To learn more about Cricket Matters and download your FREE copy of The High-Performance Handbook, please visit www.cricketmatters.com

In this episode, we dive into WWS - three non-negotiable habits for cricketing success: Walk, Water, Sleep. These might sound simple, but trust us, most people don’t track them properly. We break down why these habits are essential for performance, how they impact recovery, and how small changes can lead to big results.

You'll Learn:

• The Importance of Walking – Discover why walking is crucial for both recovery and endurance in cricket. We break down how increasing your daily walking reserve can improve efficiency on the field.
• Hydration and Athletic Performance – Learn how chronic dehydration affects performance and why tracking your water intake can transform your game. James shares his personal wake-up call when he realized he wasn’t drinking enough.
• The Role of Sleep in Recovery – Understand how proper sleep enhances focus, endurance, and overall well-being. We discuss the common mistakes athletes make when it comes to rest.
• Tracking Habits for Success – Find out how simple habit tracking can expose blind spots in your routine. James shares how a journaling exercise helped him reset his hydration habits.

Key Takeaways:

• Walking is a Performance Multiplier – Walking is not just for fitness; it builds endurance and movement efficiency essential for cricket. Many players underestimate how much they walk during a match.
• Hydration is Often Overlooked – Most people think they drink enough water, but tracking reveals otherwise. Making hydration a priority leads to better focus, energy, and recovery.
• Sleep Fuels Performance – Lack of proper sleep can lead to fatigue, poor decision-making, and increased injury risk. Cricket players need to prioritize sleep just like training.
• Tracking Creates Awareness – What gets measured gets managed. Writing down daily habits makes it easier to spot areas for improvement.
• Your Body Adapts Over Time – When you start drinking more water, your body takes time to adjust. After four to six weeks, hydration becomes second nature, and your performance improves.

Quotes:

"Most people think they’re hydrated until they actually track their water intake."

"If you don’t track your habits, you’re guessing and guessing won’t make you better."

"Your body craves what you give it consistently so why not make it crave water and movement?"

Find James on:

• Instagram: @jamesbreese
• Twitter: @_jamesbreese

To learn more about Cricket Matters and download your FREE copy of The High-Performance Handbook, please visit www.cricketmatters.com

In this episode, we dive deep into the five key areas that can transform your batting performance. Whether you’re a seasoned cricketer or just picking up a bat (like Josh, not knowing if he’s left or right-handed), we share valuable insights to take your game to the next level.

You'll Learn:

• How factors like fitness, breathing capacity, and overall well-being directly impact your technique and performance on the pitch.
• How restricted neck and shoulder mobility can hinder your stance, alignment, and ultimately your batting technique.
• Why strength, power, and cardio endurance are crucial to maintaining technique even when fatigue sets in.
• How mental resilience, decision-making, and focus are influenced by physical preparedness.

Key Takeaways:

• Health is the foundation of batting technique. Without it, even the best technique can fall apart under pressure.
• Proper movement mechanics prevent bad habits from forming and improve shot alignment and execution.
• Building athleticism isn’t just about power—it’s about translating strength into effective batting technique.
• A strong mindset can only thrive when physical fitness and efficient movement are in place.
• When technique breaks down, it’s often due to fatigue, highlighting the importance of holistic preparation.

Quotes:

“Technique is the outcome, not the starting point.”

“Movement restrictions lead to technical limitations.”

“Mindset breaks down when the body does.”

Find James on:

• Instagram: @jamesbreese
• Twitter: @_jamesbreese

To learn more about Cricket Matters and download your FREE copy of The High-Performance Handbook, please visit www.cricketmatters.com