We have had some positive feedback on one of our Saturday courses this term. Whilst it is gratifying to be told that we are doing something right, it is also slightly worrying as to what might have been going on previously.
As far as I can tell, we have been doing nothing exceptional with the group — some skills, plenty of games, not too much standing around — but we are being told that this is a huge improvement on earlier in the year.
What has been going on?
(more…)I have a u11 session booked for next week with a wicket keeping theme. The players are all pretty competent, but only one has done much keeping (and he is also a useful bowler), so I want to offer them an introduction to ‘keeping whilst also engaging those players who will never don the gloves in a match.
So I wanted to combine ‘keeping with bowling.
In preparation for next week’s session, I tried out a few ideas with a younger group (u8), which, with the input of coaching colleagues, evolved into the plan outlined below.
(more…)Latest addition to my collection of constrained SSGs — didn’t have a name for it at the time, but the theme is “block or whack”.
I have a large group of U11s (large for the available indoor space), with a range of abilities and attention spans (this is an after-school activity, and I know how hard it can be to focus on “drills” after a day in class).
I was keen to find a game that could test a valid batting technique whilst also challenging decision making. Oh, and I needed something to engage their attention.
So a session centred on the front-foot defensive might seem an odd choice.
(more…)