The Teesra

Category: coaching

  • Development squads in League cricket – postscript

    We fielded a slightly changed squad on Saturday, adding an additional player in the 50+ category. But the theme of “youth & experience” still held

    Given our League position going into the game, and the need to set an example for the younger players, we set out to play “good cricket” (which I have defined previously as scoring runs quickly and bowling the other side out), but were frustrated by our opponents. Early successes with the ball put them firmly on the back foot, and the game meandered to a bore draw.

    Is this the type of cricket that will enthuse a young player, and make him want to play again next week, and next season? Or anyone else, for that matter?

    Maybe an argument against fielding development squads in League cricket! (more…)

  • Development squads in League cricket, bringing on the youngsters – can it work?

    Last Saturday, in an unscheduled break in our League programme, my home Club fielded a mixed XI against a “development team” from another local Club.

    We had an enjoyable game.  At least, we enjoyed the day, and the result; hopefully, the opposition enjoyed the opportunity to play on a 1st XI square, and the running commentary from one of our senior players – it seemed to go down OK.

    Most of the batsmen had the chance to bat, and the bowlers to bowl, and those who wanted to run around got to chase the ball around the outfield.

    Football on the big screen in the clubhouse, afterwards (why not the Test match highlights?), and I think it was agreed that we had as good a day of gentle cricket as we could have hoped for.

    But what is the point of a development squad, and should you play friendly or competitive games?

    (more…)

  • More on coaching philosophy – getting better at getting better?

    I was delighted to read recent a post from sports psychologist Dan Abrahams outlining exactly how all sportsmen (and their coaches) need to set out to “profile the next level” of performance.

    I have written previously about my coaching “philosophy” – slightly glib, perhaps, but I do believe that the aim of all coaching has to be to help the players to “get better”.

    But what is “better”?  And how do we get there? (more…)