Players of genius such as AB slice through tired adages to define own rules
Great players often become great players because they make their own rules rather than try to perfect the rules and techniques passed on to them, writes Neil Manthorp
MANY sporting adages have been repeated so often they have become accepted wisdom but the truth is many teams and individuals might have prospered had they questioned what their coaches and seniors told them.Great players often become great players because they make their own rules rather than try to perfect the rules and techniques passed on to them. AB de Villiers is a very good example of such a player, and one of his great Test innings flew directly in the face of traditional thinking.Facing the prospect of batting defensively to save a match, coaches have told their best players not to become "too negative" and to remember to play their "natural game", albeit a cautious version of it.This made no sense to de Villiers but, unlike your average player, he had the courage of his convictions and did the opposite.Why compromise your "natural game" was his reasoning? One day a coach is telling you to "commit 100%" to everything you do to avoid getting caught in two minds. Why, then, w...
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