The Teesra

Month: December 2016

  • I don’t coach women or girls, men or boys…I coach cricketers.

    I have been lucky enough to coach a lot of players over the last 12 months.

    Groups of children, from 3 years old and up; a University Club – up to 30 young men (and a few young women); several individuals, both adult Club players and aspiring County age-group “performance squad” members, girls and boys.

    But I honestly could not claim to be a specialist in coaching children, or “young people & adults”.

    So – I don’t coach women or girls; men or boys; adults or children.

    I coach cricketers, and people who want to play the game.

    Anyone, in fact, who wants to get just a little better at playing the game.

    (more…)

  • To sweep or not to sweep. Or – how match regulations stunt ambition.

    On Monday evenings I coach a promising young player. He tries to batter almost every ball I throw to him, generally successfully. Drives, pulls, lap sweeps from outside off, reverse sweeps.

    Yet when he gets a ball just a fraction outside leg stump, he shoulders arms and refuses to play a shot. (more…)

  • Can we play a game, now? #noIDEIR

    Fascinating picture, courtesy of theguardian.com, of what is claimed to be the world’s largest cricket lesson, taking place at the Sydney Cricket Ground last week.

    600 players, all lined up on their cones, ready to bowl the ball backwards and forwards with their partners.

    What’s not to like?

    Perhaps the number of players standing still?  And the time taken to set up the guide ropes, and the cones?

    Players who might prefer to be playing the game?  And coaches who could have been facilitating game-based learning?

    (more…)