The countdown to the season is on: Matt Taylor Blog
17 February 2015
Since returning from our well-earned Christmas break we have looked to hit the ground running in what I think of as the 'countdown to the season' phase of the winter training.
This involves incorporating a lot more match scenarios into our sessions to replicate game intensity, while staying focused on executing our skills.
We have a lot of target competitions between the bowlers to try and create as much pressure as possible and also have two competitive net sessions a week bowling at batsmen.
This is something I really enjoy as it is a good challenge to transfer all the technical work we’ve done into more pressured scenarios and start focusing more on the outcome.
Batting sessions are also following this layout as we are start moving from technical work into match scenarios. This involves picturing fields that bowlers will have set and getting into battles with the bowlers during the net sessions.
The fitness and physical work has involved two gym strength sessions a week along with a track session each Tuesday. We have been building this up since the start of the winter to allow our bodies to be in the best physical condition to start the season.
This is all building towards the point when we move outside - hopefully early next week - into the new tent facility we have covering the square. The groundsmen have been working hard to get the wickets ready and the guys are really looking forward to it. It will allow the bowlers to use full run ups and batters to get used to the early season wickets, which will all help towards our preparation for the first pre-season game on March 16 (away at Glamorgan).
Along with Liam Norwell, I have been fortunate enough to be selected on the second Tom Maynard Academy trip to La Manga in Spain from February 19-28. Cameron Herring went last year so having chatted to him I have heard it is a very good facility and we will get to work with some top quality coaches in a slightly warmer climate than Bristol!
We are both very excited to take part and look forward to getting as much out of the trip as possible. We will be gradually building our bowling workloads up in preparation for our return to pre-season as well as hopefully getting in a couple of rounds of golf which I know Liam will enjoy.
Now we are moving towards the end of the winter programme, the mood around the camp is very positive and we are all excited to get outside and start the season well and hope for a successful 2015!
Thanks for reading and look forward to seeing you all during the season,
Matt
