The Teesra

Category: practice

design of practice sessions

  • 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…)

  • Making practice fun – games-based learning

    We have belatedly started outdoor practice for the Colts, after the wettest start to a season many of us can remember, and we are now racing to make up time.

    Inspired by the 2012 edition of the ECB CA’s “Wings to Fly” DVD, we are very keen to introduce more games-based learning to our practice sessions. We are lucky to have the Colts together for two hours a week, and access to a large playing field – no restrictions on time or space, just our imagination!

    We have adopted the street20 format for our games (see the inspirational cricket4change site for more information on the inspiration for this game), with “tactical” modifications to bring in extra skills and learning opportunities. (more…)

  • I could do this with my eyes closed…

    No, I don’t mean it’s just too easy.  I mean that a little blind-fold practice can go a long way to improving performance.

    It is always helpful for a coach to watch other coaches working, so the other week I took the opportunity to watch a session at the Essex Autogroup Graham Gooch Cricket Centre, at the Ford County Ground, Chelmsford.  And while I was there, I got into a conversation with the father of one of the young players being coached.

    He explained how his son had problems with his batting until he improved his footwork.

    How did he manage that, I asked.

    By closing his eyes, replied the father. (more…)