Observation is a crucial component in the coaches tool kit.
Epic read on ‘the art of observation’. I would argue that this is the biggest difference maker in effective coaching https://t.co/vVXXjJu9e1
— Bobby Paterson (@CoachingPhD) July 29, 2015
But if can we also teach our players to observe effectively, might they become better players?
Another important coaching skill is knowing when to let go!
Here is a game variant that can be used to encourage players to apply a specified batting technique in a practice session.
We call it “jail-break cricket” – players are challenged to hit a ball to a specified target area to release team mates who have been “sent to jail”.
The game encourages the batter to play a particular stroke, so could work well as the final, modified game in a whole-part-whole session.
It also teaches team spirit (it is amazing how quickly the “jailed” players come to actively encourage their batting team mates) and introduces the concepts of responsibility and consequence – if you are the last “free” batter, you really do need to try to hit the target to free your team mates; if you are dismissed, you go to jail, and if the last batter does not release his team mates the innings closes.
N.B. I did not invent this format, but have only adopted (and adapted) it from others. But it works so well I wanted to share it. (more…)
A couple of pieces of coaching technique I won’t be pursuing, from the “England’s DNA: Playing your part” conference last Sunday.
“NO, NO, NO – not like that”
And (repeated several times during a practical session) – “go on, go on, you’re in…oh, you missed that one”
“Trial-and-error” is a perfectly valid coaching methodology, but it has its limits. If you are going to let your players learn from their mistakes, either let them get on with playing without comment, or keep any comments you do make positive.
The Teesra 