The Teesra

Category: practice

design of practice sessions

  • Head hunting – another approach to getting more from net practice.

    Back in November, David Hinchliffe proposed a novel way of getting the most from net practice, with what he described as the “horror movie” approach.  I suggested adding a camera, to give the Blair Witch net session.

    I have been looking for more ways to make net practice more competitive, and more realistic, but I don’t think our 1st XI will take kindly to “consequence” nets (5 press ups if you get bowled), and if we implement “if you are out, you’re out” net practice might finish rather early!

    So we have been trying the “head hunter” net – setting the bowlers the task of identifying and ruthlessly exploiting any weakness they can in the batsmen.  And the results so far have been interesting. (more…)

  • “The Horror Movie” Net Coaching Method

    David Hinchliffe started a LinkedIn discussion on what he calls “horror movie” net coaching.

    …watch your players [in the nets] closely…say little but…log the information as you go…

    Then, after the quiet, you pounce on your victim and give the key feedback after he or she has batted.

    I have just recently started winter nets with our club 1st XI, and have adopted a similar method (saying little/nothing when a batter is in the nets, but saving any comments until after the session), with the addition of a camera to capture video.

    Given my rather shaky camera technique, perhaps I should call this the “Blair Witch Project” net coaching method… (more…)

  • It’s cold outside…or what to do when you can’t get into the outdoor nets

    The senior Club finished indoor nets before Easter, and the 1st XI has been champing at the bit to get into the outdoor nets.  So the news that the planned (and very necessary) refurbishment could not be completed until early May sparked a round of emails and conversations – what can we do for pre-season?

    We know that the pros will barely use net practice (going into the nets, with all and sundry queuing up to bowl) at any stage in the season.  If they do bat in the nets, it will be against bowling machine or sidearm/throwdowns, to groove a shot or to plan how best to handle a particular bowler (faster/slower/taller/skiddier than normal).

    So not having the nets might be seen as the opportunity to adopt a more constructive pre-season plan, rather than a hindrance.

    (more…)