The Teesra

Category: batting

  • Lock ‘em up — ‘video game design’ pt 2

    In ‘lock ‘em up’, the batting team earn ‘upgrades’ (more open spaces to hit the ball into) by ‘locking’ fielders into disadvantageous fielding positions by successfully hitting the ball into designated target areas.

    It is, in many respects, a gamified version of the old ‘Lord’s game’.  I have played it only with a front foot drive, but I can see no reason not to adapt it to for other attacking strokes.

    This game has developed from an idea shared by @imsporticus , modified to include concepts from @davidhinchliffe and @ianren21 — thanks to all of my fellow coaches for the inspiration, and also to @AmyPrice_10 et al. for the theoretical underpinnings of sports coaching informed by digital game design.

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  • The leg-side game — making the batsman think.

    Nice variation on the leg-side game this morning, thanks to Ollie Rae.

    Batsman set up close to net on off-side, leg-side with targets at mid-on and square leg; random feed — short-of-a-length (for the pull stroke), bobble-feed on leg stump (on-drive).

    Batters aware of leg-side options, but not able to set-up for pull or drive in advance of delivery.

    • Outcomes:  much improved striking by all members of the group.  They were able to predict the stroke, but had to retain their stance until the ball was delivered.
    • Additional learning: be aware of the gaps in the field, and target them when the opportunity arises.

  • Jailbreak Cricket v2.0

    Interesting tweet from Phil Kearney yesterday:

    For me, the key line from the quote was “…as much of the game as the players can successfully manage…”

    Which made me think of how my favourite practice game, Jailbreak Cricket can, sometimes, break down – we have been doing it wrong, all along!

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