Have you ever pledged to improve your cricket fitness by doing more running? If you are like me you have often failed to keep it up.

The good news is that there is a way to go running without the disadvantages.

On the surface things are straightforward: The longer you run the fitter you are. But fitness is rarely that simple.

This is a great drill for working every fielding skill for the whole team. It covers underarm throwing, overarm throwing, catching, backing up and shying at the stumps.

You can use it as a skills drill or, with several balls, a skills conditioning drill:

1. The coach (wk) starts the game by rolling the ball to position 1

If you have good timing you can get a away with a lot while batting and will certainly get more runs, even if your technique needs work.

But timing often takes a while out in the middle to come, meaning you are vulnerable at the start of your innings.

To help overcome this you can do a short pre-innings routine to groove your timing before you go out.

How many times have you played a club game where the scores are something like 227/5 dec. and 158/7 at stumps: Totally one sided and totally dull?

Dull draws can be avoided if the captain knows what he is doing and has the confidence to control the game.

So if you are a captain or bored player and want to know how to dodge draws and not waste your weekend afternoons blocking out, then read these top tips.

This is the final part in the "Getting the right attitude" series of posts. To go to part 1 click here.

Who do you think is in top in the following situations?

Imagine you are in the field and you take a wicket. The new batsman comes in to hand clapping and renewed enthusiasm from the fielders. He looks unkempt, his equipment is old and he has a nervous look on his face.

This is part 4 of the "Getting the right attitude" series of posts, to go to part 1 click here.

Before he opened an innings, Geoff Boycott used to go into a mental cocoon in the dressing room.

This is part 3 of the "Getting the right attitude" series of posts. To go to part 1 click here.

How do you remember to keep a positive attitude and stay on track towards your cricket goals?

It can be difficult to stay focussed, especially under pressure.

That's where cue cards come in.

This is part 2 of the "Getting the right attitude" series of posts. To go to part 1 click here.

All cricketers use self-talk in some way whether they know it or not: It's the way you talk to yourself during a game or in practice. Use it right and it will give you more runs, wickets and catches.

Getting self talk right

Your mental attitude is vital to your success as a cricketer.

Positive thinking has been proven to make a significant difference to sport performance. While skills and fitness are also key factors, if you dont have the right attitude you will not get the best from yourself.