ECB Coaches Association links Inside Edge 6 May 2018 | Page 20

18
JIMMY ANDERSON
U S C O A C H E S , A N D E S P E C I A L LY T H E
P SYC H E S,
ARE
OBSESSED
WITH
M E N T A L T O U G H N E S S . W E A LW A Y S
L O O K AT H OW I M P O R TA N T I T I S , A N D
W H A T P L AY E R S C A N D O T O B E C O M E
M O R E M E N T A L LY T O U G H . D O Y O U
TA K E A N Y N OT I C E O F T H AT C H AT ? SEAM
B OW L E RS
CAN
OFTEN
FIND
T H E M S E LV E S
UNDER
MORE
P R E S S U R E W H E N T H E B OW L I S N OT
S W I N G I N G . W H AT S H O U L D C OAC H E S
S U G G E ST TO S E A M B OW L E RS W H E N
T H E BA L L I S H AV I N G O N E O F T HO S E
D AY S W H E N I T W I L L N O T S W I N G ?
I have done a lot of work on my action over the years.
I now know it is pretty solid. Bowlers must trust their
actions if they are to be confident in delivering a skill
under pressure. If I am having a bad day there will be
certain triggers I look for. I look at the front arm, or
some other technical aspect, and if they are in order
then generally I will bowl well.

Thinking about the technical can take your mind
away from the pressure situation. By focusing on
executing your skills you will not b e distracted by
however many people are watching, the situation of
the game you are playing in, or anything else around
you that creates pressure. First, it’s important to recognise sometimes the ball
just does not swing. The type of ball, the conditions,
sometimes that just happens. There is no magic behind
the ball swinging. Making sure the whole team looks
after the ball is the biggest thing. Make sure your wrist
is in the correct position on release. If the conditions
allow then it will swing.

Bowlers do need to practice when the ball does
not swing. You need to know how to get wickets when
the ball is not swinging, so practicing that is important.
F I N A L LY, Y O U H A V E A N E W C A P T A I N
TO WO R K A L O N G S I D E N OW, S I N C E
W E L A S T S P O K E . W H AT D O YO U L O O K
F O R I N A C A P TA I N ?
The main things are trust and a bit of support. You want
trust from your captain so he believes in you and can
throw you the ball at any time. If I want a certain field
he will say yes, and he recognises you understand the
game tactically. Good relationships with captains have
given me a supportive pat on the back when I have
needed it, but also a kick up the backside when required.
The best captains know each player individually and
can fire them up when needed. Sometimes they need
to calm me down at times, and they use the right
language to do that.
“Thinking about
the technical
can take your
mind away from
the pressure
situation.”
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James Anderson in action
during day four of the First
Test Match between the
New Zealand Black Caps and
England, March 2018.