Very interesting short article in the current issue of the ECB Coaches Association’s annual Coaching Insight*, from Martyn Kiel, on an experiment with shortened pitches for young players.
With U11s (club) and U10s (County age group), playing on pitches just 16 yards long, the study reported:
- increased numbers of back foot shots to short pitched deliveries (and more deliveries reaching the wicket keeper on the full);
- more running between the wickets (more running, more run-out opportunities);
- fewer shots fielded at mid-wicket (so more players involved in the field);
- and an overall increase in playable deliveries in club matches.
The findings are certainly in line with those being reported by Cricket Australia (CA) after a season-long trial Down Under – more play, better skills, generally better involvement.
It will be very interesting to hear how CA take this forward, and whether the Shortcut to Success will be adopted elsewhere.
The Teesra 