Stiff Lats, S**t Shots: How Tight Lats Impact Your Batting

Cricket Matters | Expert Cricket Coaching, Mindset & Performance Tips

In this episode, Josh Kennedy and James Breese dive into the fascinating connection between tight lats and poor batting performance. With insights ranging from anatomy to practical exercises, they explore how addressing this common issue can transform your game. Whether you're a weekend player or a serious cricketer, this episode is a must-listen!

You'll Learn:

• The role of the latissimus dorsi muscle in your back and how it influences not just your posture but your bat speed and control.
• How relaxation and tension at the right moments are critical for quick, powerful batting strokes.
• How stiff lats can lead to rounded shoulders, poor posture, and a slower, clunky bat path.
• Easy tests and exercises to identify and alleviate tight lats, helping you stay agile and injury-free.

Key Takeaways:

• As one of the largest muscles in the body, tight lats can restrict your arm movement, decrease bat speed, and disrupt timing.
• Being "fast and loose" allows for fluid movements and precise strikes, similar to techniques used by elite athletes like Manny Pacquiao.
• Stiff lats lead to a restricted back path, forcing batsmen to hit the ball awkwardly, often leading to dismissals.
• Tight lats not only create poor posture but also disconnect the power generated from your legs, affecting overall performance.
• Simple tools like a "LAT test" and targeted stretching can address muscle stiffness, improving your batting technique and reducing injury risk.

Quotes:
"The lats are some of the biggest muscles, if not the biggest muscle in the body, essentially."

"If you're stiff, you're slow. If you're loose, you're fast."

"Tight lats stop you from getting your arms back, which increases tension and affects your bat speed."

Find James on:

• Instagram: @jamesbreese
• Twitter: @_jamesbreese

To learn more about Cricket Matters and download your FREE copy of The High-Performance Handbook, please visit www.cricketmatters.com

Chapter

1. Intro (00:00:00)

2. The Problem with Tight Lats (00:00:39)

3. Fast and Loose: The Key to Speed (00:03:00)

4. Power Connection and Batting Alignment (00:05:05)

5. Testing and Corrective Strategies (00:06:35)