The Batsman's Between-Delivery Routine: Mental Reset and Focus Techniques
Between each delivery in cricket, a batsman has approximately 20-30 seconds — from the moment the ball is dead until the bowler begins their run-up for the next delivery. Elite batsmen use this time with precision: resetting their mental state, processing what just happened, preparing for the next ball. The between-delivery routine is one of the least-discussed aspects of batting performance but one of the most impactful for consistency — it prevents batsmen from carrying negative emotions (anxiety, frustration after a near-miss) from one delivery into the next. These routines are highly individual, often including specific physical actions (ground tapping, glove adjustment, visualisation) that serve as triggers for a focused mental state.
Why between-delivery routines matter: in a Test match, a batsman who scores a century faces approximately 150-200 deliveries — each delivery is a separate event requiring a fresh, focused decision. The challenge: it is psychologically difficult to maintain optimal focus for 4-6 hours of continuous batting. Research in sports psychology shows that performance degrades when athletes carry emotional 'residue' from one event into the next — a near-miss, a poorly executed shot, or an argumentative exchange with a fielder can occupy cognitive bandwidth that should be devoted to the next delivery. The between-delivery routine serves as a psychological 'clearing mechanism': a specific sequence of physical and mental actions that signal to the brain that the previous delivery is finished and a fresh start begins. The neurological basis: repetitive physical actions activate procedural memory pathways distinct from the cognitive pathways involved in emotional processing. A batsman who taps the crease three times with their bat between deliveries isn't doing it superstitiously — the physical action redirects neural activity from the emotional limbic system back to the procedural 'performance' systems. This is why athletes in many sports use set routines before performance moments (penalty kick routines in football, free-throw routines in basketball, pre-serve routines in tennis).
Common Between-Delivery Routine Elements
What elite batsmen actually do between deliveries: (1) The crease reset: returning to the batting crease (guard position) — the physical return to the starting position signals 'back to ready state.' Many batsmen re-mark their guard (pressing their bat into the specific position they started from) between deliveries as a ritual confirmation of position. (2) Glove tap: tapping the two batting gloves together, or tapping the bat handle against each glove — a physical action with no functional purpose that serves as a routine checkpoint. Sachin Tendulkar famously used a specific glove tap sequence between deliveries. (3) Ground mark or pat: patting the pitch or crease area with the bat — particularly common after a shot attempt. The ground contact 'grounds' the batsman physically and mentally. (4) Visual anchor: looking at a specific point — often down the pitch, at the pitch itself, or at a fixed point on the ground — to reset visual focus away from crowd movement, fielder conversations, or the wicketkeeper's chatter. (5) Breath: a deliberate exhalation between deliveries to reduce physiological arousal (heart rate, muscle tension). Sport psychology research consistently shows that controlled breathing between performance events reduces cortisol levels and improves decision quality. (6) Trigger word or phrase: a brief internal phrase — 'stay still,' 'watch the ball,' 'let it come' — that focuses attention on the specific task requirement for the next delivery. These trigger phrases are typically established in practice and become automatic mental prompts. (7) Shadow practice swing: some batsmen play a shadow stroke (mimicking the shot they want to play, or an ideal defensive shot) between deliveries — physically rehearsing the motor pattern before the next delivery arrives.
Developing a Between-Delivery Routine
How players develop effective routines: between-delivery routines are not spontaneous — they are developed in practice and become automatic through repetition. The development process: (1) Identify distraction triggers: what specific situations cause the batsman to lose focus? A bouncer that beats them? A close lbw appeal? The wicketkeeper's chatter? The specific routine should address the specific distraction — a batsman who is distracted by close fielders might add a 'field scan' step where they consciously note fielder positions as part of resetting. (2) Design the physical anchor: choose 1-3 physical actions that feel natural and can be performed in 5-10 seconds. The physical action must be automatic (not requiring thought) so that it frees cognitive capacity for mental reset rather than consuming it. (3) Practice in training: the routine should be performed in nets and practice sessions, not just games. If the routine is only attempted in games, it will be less automatic and therefore less effective under pressure. (4) Test under pressure: incremental pressure exposure (practice games, domestic matches, then international) while maintaining the routine develops its reliability. A routine that breaks down under pressure (the batsman skips steps when anxious) needs adjustment — simplifying or anchoring to more reliable physical triggers. The length question: routines should be brief enough to fit naturally between deliveries without slowing play (umpires can call 'play' to restart, limiting extended routines) but substantial enough to create genuine cognitive reset. Most effective routines are 5-15 seconds in length — a complete mental and physical reset cycle that doesn't impede the game.
Frequently asked questions
Why do batsmen tap the ground between deliveries?
Ground tapping between deliveries is a between-delivery routine — a physical ritual that serves as a psychological reset mechanism. The physical action activates procedural memory pathways and redirects neural activity away from emotional responses (anxiety, frustration) back toward focused performance readiness. The specific action (ground tap, glove tap, guard re-mark) is less important than the consistency of the routine — it works because the brain learns to associate the specific physical action with a focused, ready mental state. Elite batsmen like Sachin Tendulkar and Virat Kohli use consistent between-delivery routines as one of the foundations of long innings concentration.
How do batsmen maintain concentration for long innings?
Long innings concentration in cricket relies on: (1) Between-delivery routines — resetting mental state after each ball to prevent emotional carryover. (2) Scoring phases — experienced batsmen mentally divide long innings into smaller phases (first 20 deliveries, overs 1-10, first hour) rather than trying to concentrate on 200 deliveries simultaneously. (3) Ball-watching cues — focusing on specific sensory targets (the ball leaving the bowler's hand, the seam orientation) keeps attention on process rather than outcome. (4) Physical awareness — monitoring and managing physical state (hydration, heat stress, foot comfort) prevents physical discomfort from becoming a concentration drain. Research in sports psychology consistently shows that concentration is a skill that degrades without deliberate management strategies — elite batsmen actively practise these strategies, not just their batting technique.
What is the purpose of a batting guard in cricket?
A batting guard is the specific position at the crease where a batsman stands to face deliveries, established before the innings begins by asking the umpire to indicate when the bat is aligned with a specific stump (middle, middle-and-leg, or leg). The guard mark (a scratch in the crease) is the batsman's physical anchor point. Between deliveries, re-marking or checking the guard is a common ritual — it confirms the batsman is in their optimal position to face the next delivery and serves as a physical reset trigger in the between-delivery routine. The guard also helps batsmen judge their proximity to the stumps for defensive play.
How does a batsman stay focused when facing a dominant bowling spell?
Against a dominant bowling spell: (1) Simplify the routine — focus only on the single most reliable mental cue (e.g., 'watch the ball out of the hand') and reduce additional cognitive processing. (2) Shorten goals — reframe from 'score a century' to 'survive this over' or even 'survive this delivery.' Short-term targets prevent the cumulative pressure of a long innings becoming overwhelming. (3) Process-focus shift — deliberately focus on technique execution (defensive position, head still, watching the ball) rather than outcome (whether the ball beats the bat). A batsman who focuses on process has more cognitive capacity than one pre-occupied with outcomes. (4) Routine consistency — maintaining the same between-delivery routine under pressure is itself a performance signal: if the routine is consistent, the batsman is psychologically in control.