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Posted by: brenden on october 29, 2011
How to Bridge the Gap between Junior and Senior Cricket
Do you remember the first game of adult cricket you played?
It’s quite a shock to the system. One day a youngster brought up on 20 over evening cricket against teenagers is asked to play for 40 or more overs in the afternoon sunshine. It takes time to adapt physically and mentally.
Often, players asked to make this jump take one look at the chasm (the time it takes, the snarling full grown men) and decide not to even try. They are lost to the game. It’s all the more sad when you see talented players fall by the wayside.
The system doesn’t work, and it’s costing clubs as they lose players.
At Lewdown CC, we are taking a different approach and building a bridge between youth and senior cricket.
The club has a thriving youth section. They spotted that it wasn’t always producing as many cricket-ready youngsters as it should. So the coaches developed a plan called the ‘Player Pathway’ to change things.
Talented Player Programme - Not Just for Elite
The new system revolves around finding the best youngsters from every age group and putting them into a ‘talented player programme’ (TPP).
These players then get attention focused on moving them up to the next level as quickly as possible. This may be playing representative level cricket, or senior cricket, or even both.
The extra coaching is vital, but the real kicker is the games these players are asked to play in the summer. Players are selected on ability to play (not on age) and play 40 over cricket at the weekends.
These 40 over matches against good opponents serve as a confidence bridge to the adult game. In the past if a 15 year old was selected for an adult game he would be out of his depth, especially after 35 overs in the field! With TPP games the same boy can perform against boys 2 years older in a 40 over match. He will feel he has a chance in adult cricket.
Plus, TPP players are also given time to improve their fitness levels and become mentally tougher by learning how to deal with pressure and mistakes. These elements are ignored by coaches of young players at club level.
How to setup a TPP at your club
So what do you need to start a production line of talented, enthusiastic club cricketers?
Firstly, you need a large base of young players. If your club struggles to raise an under-15 side you can’t exactly select the best players for a TPP squad. I would suggest that you need 3-4 players per youth side aged 15-17 who you can select.
Some programmes keep players in the system after they finish youth cricket to top up numbers. You could have 18-21 year olds in the programme but without that base of talent you can’t separate out a talent programme.
Second, it takes time and passion yourself. A TPP coach needs to be well organised, knowledgeable and have plenty of time on his hands. You will be identifying talent, planning and coaching in the winter.
A typical week in the summer would include:
• 1-2 coaching sessions a week
• A good understanding and relationship with the senior team managers and selectors
• ability to coach fitness, mental skills and tactical awareness as well as technical skills
It’s not a task to enter into lightly. The cost in time and effort is high, but the rewards are great.
Once you have decided you can create a programme you need to plan how, when and where you will put it into practice. Then with your players selected and plan in place you can get to action.
If you want to squeeze even more from the players you also need to learn how to coach physical and mental skills.
Posted by: brenden on march 10, 2011
'Why hobgoblins can have a good pre season'
Being a consistent cricketer isn’t always as good as we imagine.
As decent level players we search for better consistency. We have had good performances in the past. We dream the purple patches will come again. Every shot you play beats the in-field and every ball you bowl finds the outside edge to a pair of safe hands.
Ironically, it’s the ‘hobgoblin’ of consistency that prevents many of us from achieving those dreams.
Take the typical preseason of a typical club side.
This imaginary team have been doing the same thing for at least 20 winters. Half the team turn up at nets, full of intent. The other half can’t be bothered. The do the same routine of bowling in turn and batting for 10 minutes each.
If anyone suggests trying something new the idea is tossed aside. Sometimes the keen man is laughed at for “trying too hard”.
They have been consistent alright.
And they have been utterly miserable on the field.
One week the star batsman scores a chanceless 80 not out to win the match, the next 3 weeks he can’t buy a run. Meanwhile the team’s key leg spinner is fizzing balls past the outside edge and watching long hops vanish into the cow field all in the same over.
It’s this type of consistency that is the “hobgoblin” that Emerson was talking about.
Be inconsistent
The solution is to be more inconsistent, which will lead to the opposite result: A better run of form in the summer.
This inconsistency means throwing away the old ways that don’t work and embracing a new type of preseason training. Preseason nets can be run in a better way; a way that leads you away from the hobgoblin and towards more runs and wickets.
It’s just a matter of being open to new ideas:
Don’t bowl in turns
Don’t ignore tactical planning
Don’t bat aimlessly for 10 minutes hoping it will ‘get your eye in’
Don’t think 5 minutes of slip catching is fielding practice
Don’t think a quick hamstring stretch is injury prevention
Don’t let the nets run themselves
These methods are tried and tested to cause failure. Yet teams and players do what they always did because they don’t know anything else.
New ideas don’t need to be ground-breaking. You can adapt a lot of what first-class teams do to prepare. That alone will put you ahead of everyone else in the league.
You just need to have the intent to do something inconsistent with the past because you want more consistency in the future.
Use that fear of the hobgoblin to motivate you to make the change you need.
Posted by: brenden on february 16, 2011
How to choose a cricket bat
The cricket bat is more than a lump of willow with a rubber handle. It is your only weapon in the quest for the runs you need to succeed.
No wonder so many batsmen love their blade so much they can’t even be parted with it at bedtime. It‘s like losing a beloved family pet when the time comes to replace it. Sometimes it has to be done. Sometimes tape and sandpaper and oil are no longer enough.
Take a deep breath and buy a new bat.
Selecting a cricket bat is tricky. Walk into any shop and look at the range of bats. They don’t seem too different. It’s easy to make a mistake. In my days I’ve been tricked into buying the wrong bats a few times. There are plenty of things to look out for.
Size
A bat either too big or small will not to your batting any favours. When you are buying a bat, stand into stance and play an imaginary straight drive. This will give you an idea if the bat is according to your size or not. If it is small you’ll notice when you take your stance. If it is big it will hinder the straight drive. You’ll know without much effort if the bat is the right size or not.
As a rule of thumb, if you are 5’9” or over (174cm) you can use a short handle/full size bat.
Shape of the handle
There are two shapes of bat’s handles. Some are round, others are oval. Both are fine as long as they are not misshaped. Before buying a bat, carefully examine the shape at the end of its handle. A misshaped handle will cause the bat to rotate in your hands after you play a shot.
The type of wood used
The cricket bat wood is categorised in grades (willow quality). Grade 1 plus is the highest quality of wood with all the necessarily oiling and polishing. It is normally used by professionals as it is expensive. In contrast Grade 4 is a rather roughly made willow without much lubricant treatment. The important thing to remember here is your budget. If you cannot buy G1 plus, do not sweat over it. Buy the quality you can afford. With the passage of time when the standard of your cricket goes up, you can go for higher quality.
Brand name
This is more of a personal liking thing than a technical one. All the quality brands have little difference in their products. If you buy a brand that you like, you will be extra proud of your stick. That is when brand name comes in.
Weight
The weight of the bat is the most important for you. Young players often buy too heavy bats. Your priority should be to buy the most light weight bat possible. Heavy bat won’t allow you to swing freely and you’ll shoulders will be stiff after a long stay at the crease.
By keeping these things in mind, you can buy a bat that can serve you for a long time to come. When you have a bat make sure you take good care of it. His cricket equipment is like a best friend to a cricketer. Just as teachers tell you to respect books to be knowledgeable, coaches tell you to respect your equipment to be a good cricketer.
Posted by: brenden on february 16, 2011
Training Diary
SEPTEMBER
- NIL
- EXCEPT END OF SEASON GAMES
- REST AND RECUPERATION
- IMPORTANT TO PLAY OTHER SPORTS
OCTOBER
- NIL
- RECOGNISE IMPORTANCE OF TIME OFF AND REST
- EPP AGREEMENTS
- EPP S & C PROGRAMME ADVISED
- EMPHASIS ON PERSONAL MANAGEMENT
- PLAYING A VARIETY OF SPORTS AIDS PROBLEM SOLVER SKILLS
NOVEMBER
- GROOVING SKILLS
- NO BOWLING
- EPP 1:1
- PERSONAL S & C MANAGEMENT
- MONTHLY TESTING
- DIFFERENT SPORTS DEVELOP DIFFERENT PHYSICAL STRENGTHS
DECEMBER
- GROOVING SKILLS
- NO BOWLING
- EPP 1:1
- PERSONAL S & C MANAGEMENT
- MONTHLY TESTING
- INDIVIDUAL AND TEAM SPORTS INTRODUCE NEW SKILLS
JANUARY
- AGE RELEVANT TRAINING
- SLOWLY REINTRODUCE BOWLING
- EPP 1:1
- PERSONAL S & C MANAGEMENT
- MONTHLY TESTING
- TEAM SPORTS AND RECOGNITION OF TEAM GOALS
FEBRUARY
- BUILD UP SKILLS
- EPP 1:1
- PERSONAL S & C MANAGEMENT
- MONTHLY TESTING
- INDIVIDUAL SPORTS AND PERSONAL DISCIPLINES
MARCH
- BUILD UP SKILLS
- EPP 1:1
- PERSONAL S & C MANAGEMENT
- MONTHLY TESTING
- MULTI SKILLED INDIVIDUALS
APRIL
- EARLY SEASON OUTDOOR
- PERSONAL S & C MANAGEMENT
- MONTHLY TESTING
- START MANAGING OTHER SPORTS COMMITMENTS
IN SEASON
- MATCHES
- MAINTAIN PRACTICE
- KEY SKILL MAINTENANCE
- SUMMER EPP
- MAINTAIN PHYSICAL DEVELOPMENT
- EASIER TO MANAGE REINTRODUCTION FOR SEPTEMBER
- NO TESTING THROUGH SUMMER
- CRICKET IS YOUR KEY SPORT NOW
- PLEASE MANAGE OTHER SPORTS WISELY
This is a broad form of diary and should be used as a guide to support your overall sports programme. Ideally, you will rest from cricket for at least 6 weeks following the last game of the season. It is also important to have other sports and interests to follow. The strength and conditioning programme will be self run and testing will provide EPP management with further information regarding individuals and their disciplines.
Posted by: brenden on february 02, 2011
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