The Teesra

Category: player development

technical, tactical, physical

  • Shortcut to success? – how short is short enough?

    Quick follow-up on the previous post – back-of-an-envelope calculations on “appropriate” pitch lengths for junior cricket.

    Taking average heights as comparator: [pitch length at age 10]=[adult pitch length]*([average height at 10]/[average height for adult (male)])

    [pitch length at age 10]=20.12*(138/176) = 15.78 m (17 yards, 9″)

    Alternatively, taking average bowling speeds: [pitch length at age 10]=[adult pitch length]*([average bowling speed at U11]/[average adult bowling speed])

    [pitch length at age 10]=22*(58.9/93.4) = 12.69 m (13 yards, 2′ 5″)

    Nearly 18 yards  (based on average height) does feel too long at 11 and under; just 13 yards (from average bowling speeds) too close.  Something in-between, then.

    Perhaps 16 yards, in fact.

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  • Shortcut to success – are young cricketers playing on pitches that are too long?

    Very interesting short article in the current issue of the ECB Coaches Association’s annual Coaching Insight*, from Martyn Kiel, on an experiment with shortened pitches for young players.

    With U11s (club) and U10s (County age group), playing on pitches just 16 yards long, the study reported:

    • increased numbers of back foot shots to short pitched deliveries (and more deliveries reaching the wicket keeper on the full);
    • more running between the wickets (more running, more run-out opportunities);
    • fewer shots fielded at mid-wicket (so more players involved in the field);
    • and an overall increase in playable deliveries in club matches.

    The findings are certainly in line with those being reported by Cricket Australia (CA) after a season-long trial Down Under – more play, better skills, generally better involvement.

    It will be very interesting to hear how CA take this forward, and whether the Shortcut to Success will be adopted elsewhere.

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  • I don’t coach women or girls, men or boys…I coach cricketers.

    I have been lucky enough to coach a lot of players over the last 12 months.

    Groups of children, from 3 years old and up; a University Club – up to 30 young men (and a few young women); several individuals, both adult Club players and aspiring County age-group “performance squad” members, girls and boys.

    But I honestly could not claim to be a specialist in coaching children, or “young people & adults”.

    So – I don’t coach women or girls; men or boys; adults or children.

    I coach cricketers, and people who want to play the game.

    Anyone, in fact, who wants to get just a little better at playing the game.

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