The Teesra

Category: better cricket

  • Session plan(s): Video-Part-Whole

    I am a great believer in games- and scenario-based learning.

    Games engage games players when drills don’t.

    Well designed games retain important elements of the real activity to help players develop “skills in context”, not just drilled technique. Using the terminology of the constraints-led approach (CLA), games need to be representative of the playing environment, and retain important specifying information.

    I also like the whole-part-whole session structure — play a game, modified to reward a specific skill; practice that skill; play the modified game again.

    But sometimes, the initial “whole” maybe needs to be primed, put into context.

    And with the proliferation of access to video highlights of so many great moments from the past, perhaps it is time for a new session format.

    How about Video-Part-Whole?

    (more…)
  • Coaching philosophy v4.2.1.7a

    Coaching philosophy v4.2.1.7a

    Being an update on an earlier post — philosophy v4.2.1.7.

    • I believe that the coach has a responsibility to design & develop appropriately challenging learning environments. Because
      • “kids today” don’t necessarily experience this often enough;
      • hence never learn how to navigate (challenging) learning environments.

    Possibly no longer a “philosophy” (even if it ever was).

    “a theory or attitude that acts as a guiding principle for behaviour”

    Any philosophers out there?

  • Coaching philosophy v4.2.1.7†

    Coaching philosophy v4.2.1.7†

    Create an environment where everyone you #coach falls in love with the experience of playing – and the rest is up to them.

    Wayne Goldsmith, on X (formerly — and still — known as Twitter)

    Just make the players love the game.

    It’s a great quote, and a wonderful aspiration.

    But try putting “I just want to make the players love the game” at the top of your CV and see how many interviews you get!

    With the current understanding of coaching (within English cricket, certainly), “fun” & “love for the game” will get you a gig running National Programmes and “community” sessions.

    Which is where I am!

    But why?

    (more…)