design of practice sessions
Over the last few months, I have been working my way through the new ECB CPD courses for level 2 coaches.
The new courses are presented in two distinct streams – Coaching children and Coaching Young People & Adults (YPA).
Interesting, though, in the light of my experiences this year coaching players aged 3 and 63, that the “Coaching children” workshops all look to be just as important for the YPA environment (13 and older) as for children.
A thought-provoking post this week from David Hinchliffe at PitchVision Academy (@PitchVisionAcad), on the loss of young players from the game, and ways to keep them engaged and coming back for more.
Over-reliance on net practice, especially for younger players, has been highlighted by some of David’s readers as a contributing factor. As I explain to the players I coach – in a typical net evening, you might spend 10 minutes batting (if you are lucky), 10 minutes actually bowling, and the rest of the time watching the others bat and bowl. Not much fun, really! And no wonder concentration levels flag towards the end of the evening.
There has to be a better way. And there is.
Debate on LinkedIn Cricket Coaches Worldwide group on the merits (or otherwise) of formal S&C training for young players.
The consensus view is that a 10-year-old would do best to simply play games, ride a bike, climb trees (can I say that without including a Health&Safety warning?). I do agree, but with one proviso. A lot of 10 year olds I see simply do not have the basic athletic movement patterns needed to benefit from games-based “fitness” programmes.
So the coach has the responsibility of ensuring his players have acquired “physical literacy” before they try to move on to more structured S&C training. (more…)
The Teesra 