The Teesra

Category: coaching

  • Myths of Sports Coaching, cricket edition

    Back in December 2024, ECB Coaches Association (ECB CA) members were invited to attend a webinar entitled “Talking talent and inclusion” featuring the ECB’s recently appointed Pathway Inclusion Officers (PIOs).

    The drive to make the pathway more inclusive is a hugely important project, for the ECB and for the game itself. But I had heard a (far from positive) review of a PIO presentation to a group of CAG coaches earlier in 2024, and was very interested to find out what was being said.

    I missed the original webinar, unfortunately (Wednesday has been a regular work night for me, right through the off-season), and the recording has yet to be posted to the ECB CA website, but what I assume must be a transcript † of the webinar has recently been posted for ECB Coaches Association members. For such an important initiative, the published article contains several contentious, un-evidenced, claims, which apparently went unchallenged on the night.

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  • What do experienced coaches do?

    I wrote about the ECB Batting Fundamentals workshop late last year. And so far this year I have attended learning workshops on spin bowling and fielding.

    Lots of ideas, lots of drills.

    But what stood out, for me, is how these experienced coaches and coach developers took the time to emphasise the coaching process.

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  • Non-negotiables for coaches — from the players

    Non-negotiables for coaches — from the players

    I have written previously about the under-13 squads I am working with this year.

    As part of their introduction to the squad, we have them discuss and agree on “non-negotiables” — agreed actions, behaviours, attitudes within the squad that simply will not be debated — for themselves, for their interactions with team mates.

    And also for what they expect from their coaches.

    We (the coaches) didn’t get a say (these are the players expectations of us), but we will have to own them, as far as we can.

    If we are to aspire to being more than Shane Warne’s bus!

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