SAQ International. - Speed, agility and quickness for cricket

Note Whilst every effort has been made to ensure that the content of this book is as technically accurate and as sound as possible, neither the author nor the publishers can accept responsibility for any injury or loss sustained as a result of the use of this material. Metric to Imperial conversions

1 centimetre (cm)	=	0.394 in
1 metre (m)	=	1.094 yd
1 kilometre (km)	=	1093.6 yd
1 kilogram (kg)	=	2.205 lb

Speed, Agility & Quickness International Limited Trade mark numbers: SAQ Britain and Northern Ireland No. 2156613 SAQ European Community No. 001026277 SAQ Speed, Agility, Quickness Australia SAQ Programmes SAQ Equipment SAQ Training SAQ Accreditation Awards In addition to the above, the following trademarks are in current commercial use by SAQ International and have been for several years in respect to their products and services: Fast Foot Ladder Viper Belt SAQ Continuum Jelly Balls Micro Hurdles Macro Hurdles Speed Resistor Sprint Sled Power Harness Sonic Chute Agility Disc Side Strike Flexi-cord Velocity Builder Heel Lifter Visual Acuity Ring Peripheral Vision Stick Break Away Belt and Tri-Break Away Belt Dynamic Flex Bunt Bat The SAQ Continuum, SAQ Training, SAQ Programmes, SAQ Accreditation Awards and SAQ Equipment are products and services of Speed, Agility & Quickness International Limited (SAQ INTERNATIONAL) and its licensees. Only individual or corporate holders of valid SAQ Trainer certificates or valid SAQ Training licenses issued by SAQ INTERNATIONAL may offer products or services under the SAQ brand name or logo (subject to terms). 50 Bedford Square London WC1B 3DP www.bloomsbury.com Copyright 2004 by SAQ International Ltd ISBN 0 7136 6376 6
ePub: 9781408120453 All rights reserved
You may not copy, distribute, transmit, reproduce or otherwise make available this publication (or any part of it) in any form, or by any means (including without limitation electronic, digital, optical, mechanical, photocopying, printing, recording or otherwise), without the prior written permission of the publisher. 50 Bedford Square London WC1B 3DP www.bloomsbury.com Copyright 2004 by SAQ International Ltd ISBN 0 7136 6376 6
ePub: 9781408120453 All rights reserved
You may not copy, distribute, transmit, reproduce or otherwise make available this publication (or any part of it) in any form, or by any means (including without limitation electronic, digital, optical, mechanical, photocopying, printing, recording or otherwise), without the prior written permission of the publisher.

Any person who does any unauthorised act in relation to this publication may be liable to criminal prosecution and civil claims for damages. Alan Pearson has asserted his right under the Copyright, Design and Patents Act, 1988 to be identified as the author of this work. A CIP catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library. To find out more about our authors and books visit www.bloomsbury.com. Here you will find extracts, author interviews, details of forthcoming events and the option to sign up for our newsletters. Acknowledgements I would like to thank Dave Whatmore for introducing me and the Programme to Lancashire CC in the mid nineties. Acknowledgements I would like to thank Dave Whatmore for introducing me and the Programme to Lancashire CC in the mid nineties.

His enthusiasm and support helped the SAQ Programme take off within the United Kingdom. A very special thank you to one of the best cricketers in the UK to have not yet been capped for his country, Steffan Jones. Working together, our goal was to make him bowl faster than ever before. It was fantastic watching him win a one-day final at Lords, taking four wickets and bowling at over 91 mph. A special thank you to Keith Fletcher, Roni Irani, Grahame Gooch, Jamie Foster and the players and staff that I have met at Essex CC. They have been great fun to work with, receptive to new ideas and also very professional and committed to success on the field.

Thanks to Ron Cochrane and Duncan Hall of Brisbane, Australia. Thanks to Joe Shepherd, Allan Dilly of the Loughborough University Cricket Academy, and also the academy players James Adams, Paul Carter, Marc Rosenberg and David Wigley. Also a big thank you to Marcus Trescothick. The illustrations in this book have been produced by Stephen Gilbert, whose attention to detail and incredible computer skills have made this book the best SAQ one so far. Finally, a big thanks to Rebecca Parrott for her administrative support and to all the SAQ staff, and love to my supportive wife, Silvana. Alan Pearson,
May 2004 Foreword Speed, agility, quickness and multi-directional explosion are key components of the physical demands required of a cricket player.

All aspects of cricket, including fielding, bowling, batting and wicketkeeping, require the ability to move with incredible speed, power and precision. The SAQ Programme has been implemented by Essex County Cricket for over 5 years. Not only is it effective, it is also challenging and motivational for players who have not only enjoyed but have also benefitted from this new approach to training and conditioning for Cricket. Alan Pearsons position-specific and practical approach to cricket, which is scientifically based yet delivered in a simple, effective manner, makes it suitable for all cricketers from amateurs to seasoned internationals. I would encourage all coaches to read this most informative book and introduce the concept and drills to their training regime. Grahame Gooch, Essex CC, England, International
Player, Captain, Coach, England Selector Since the cricket revolution of the late seventies and early eighties, the game of cricket at all levels has evolved into a dynamic contest.

Many aspects of the game are about the ability of the players to rapidly decelerate, redirect and accelerate as well achieving high speed. How does the coach increase the athletic performance of his players to respond to the challenges of the game in the twenty-first century? The answer to this question is akin to most innovations in sports coaching, that is, necessity is the mother of invention. The innovative approach of the SAQ method of warm-up and the development of cricket skills throughout the activity sets in this book will enhance the ability of the team, the individual and the coach. Coaches who adopt the SAQ approach to their cricket coaching will be the lighthouse coaches for the next generation. Ron Cochrane, Director of Sport, Brisbane
Grammar School Australia
Australian Level 3 Accredited Coach CA 400305
Member of the Development Team for the
Australian Institute of Sport Cricket Academy I was introduced to Alan Pearson and SAQ over five years ago and my goal was to bowl as fast as possible. I introduced SAQ principles to my training and conditioning programme and, with Alans ongoing support, over a period of time I increased my bowling speed by 10mph.

Not only was the programme effective, it was challenging, interesting and, due to the variations and progressions, it was enjoyable. I believe that the SAQ Cricket Book is one of the most important training and conditioning tools in the world of cricket. I recommend it to all coaches and players, whatever age and standard. Steffan Jones, Somerset CC,
Northampton CC and Wales I started working with SAQ with my playing colleague Steffan Jones. I found that the training made sense and was more related to the cricket-specific movements required while playing the game. I found the training effective, hard work but enjoyable.

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