Judging by the volume of questions we get here at PitchVision, you love technique more than any other aspect of cricket. And you're right. Technique is crucial.

But we also know the importance of tactical nous, mental toughness and fitness. So, how do you balance these things at training to play better cricket?

Let's start that journey by debunking a myth.

Good training is not nets.

The default training method for millions of club and school players is seen as the best way to improve. Yet, time and time again - when I ask players to tell me what they are working on at a net session - I get vague comments about "finding rhythm" or "having a hit". This is not helping your technique.

It also does little to help your ability under pressure (you get your 10 minutes no matter what against a range of bowlers), your fitness (no running) or tactical awareness (no fielders). Bowlers are bowled into the ground. It's a dead duck.

What do you need?

Instead, think about what you want to improve.

This is the starting point for your practice. If you are very fit with poor technique, you need a different plan from an unfit player with an exceptional looking cover drive.

Batsmen, rate yourself on these aspects,

• Technique
• Picking line and length
• Shot selection (in different game situations)
• Strike rotation
• Boundary Hitting

Bowlers, rate yourself on,

• Technique
• Pace
• Accuracy
• Lateral movement
• Variations

Everyone, rate yourself on,

• Fielding skills, particularly in your specialist area.
• General fitness (strength, speed, stamina)
• Cricket fitness (e.g. Ability to bowl a long spell with accuracy)
• Self confidence
• Skill under pressure
• Awareness of conditions, situations and opposition players
• Work ethic/grit

From here, you can build a picture of how much technical work you need, and how much you need to work on other aspects of your game. Each one of the above skills is an area that can skyrocket your game with some work.

You will then have an idea of how to balance your practice based on what you are aiming to improve.

What happens at practice?

The next question to ask yourself, is how much time will you have at your team practice sessions to work on your specific needs?

For example, say you are unfit and want to do some batting fitness-focused work at nets. However, you are required to bowl and when you bat it's only for a few minutes. No preparation for a long innings in the hot sun at all. What do you do?

In this case, there are several possible answers: Ask the coach of you can do 20-30 minutes of shuttle runs instead of bowling, do an extra session away from the team session, or delay your batting until the last session, then add in a running drill.

Another example might be your desire to improve your tactics at chasing a total. Here, middle practice is a better option than nets. Even if you can only have nets, you can still do target batting to develop your strike rotation skills.

The point is this: Always direct your training to your goals, even if you have to make some compromises on the way to fit the wider needs of the team.

Don't panic about how much you're doing

With your new focused training, sometimes you will panic. You'll wonder if too much fitness is dropping your technique levels. You'll stress you are not getting enough volume of balls faced, bowled or caught.

Fret not.

Often, volume of practice is not important. Quality trumps quantity.

This is especially true if you feel your technique is in order. You won't lose technique if you do less technical work. Naturally, the total amount of catches, balls hit and bowled is a factor in your improvement, but "how many" is not as important as "how" ( in practice at least). Click here to read about the importance of deliberate practice.

There are also times where less is better.

For example, if you are working on your reactions under pressure you may practice where the rule is "you're out, you're out". If you are out third ball, your practice is done. You might feel that's unfair and you have wasted valuable practice time. In fact, you have learned something about your personality and can come up with some strategies for dealing with something that happens in your games all the time.

In summary, never assume "more" is the golden rule for improving.

Structure your practice for your quality needs first, and overall volume second.

What happens after practice?

Finally, practice doesn't end when the session is over.

Your first job is a proper review. It's crucial to do this either alone, as a team or both. If you miss this you are reducing your chance of success by a great deal. So, don't miss this.

Alongside a review, there are lots of other things you can do,

• Fitness training
• Visualisation
• Pickup games
• Cricket training alone or with some mates with no formal coaching
• Recovery (sleep, stretch, drink water)

Sometimes, these things will cover your aims, meaning you can focus on technique (or anything else) in practice if you wish. So, take time to plan these things if you feel you need them.

Summary: How much technique?

So, to return to the question, how much practice time should be about technique?

Your answer will be individual, but to be general; do as much practice as you feel you need based on your aims. That won't always be having a net, or bowling 100 balls, or avoiding "standing about" at practice. But it might be those things. Only you can be sure.

With a small amount of planning and reviewing, you'll get the perfect balance at practice.