Coaching Blues
Manoj Madhavan -
Tuesday, July 15, 2008 2:32 PM
Play in the V; avoid playing shots in the air in the initial overs; rotate strike; play to your strengths; etc, etc. One would often hear coaches say this to students.
Recently, I visited the cricket club I had joined as a young cricketer way back in the 1990s. The club has now grown into a full-fledged cricket academy. My former coach asked me if I could visit the academy over weekends and share my experiences with the young, budding players.
This is an honor usually reserved for well-established, grade ‘A’ cricketers, who have represented the country in Tests or ODIs.
I was a bit sceptical in the beginning. But now that I am eight sessions-old, I am beginning to understand a few things.
I spent the first two sessions observing the kids, talking to coaches, and reviewing the facilities at the academy.
I don’t have a Ranji or a Test tag, so my first task was to gain the confidence and respect of the young players.
I began by telling them to consider me as a fellow player and not as a coach. I padded and played their bowls, and when the turn came, bowled with other bowlers. I encouraged them to openly discuss my shortcomings and strengths, field placements they would propose while bowling, and/or criticize, in a healthy manner, the placements of other players.
This is what we do at the academy
· Fitness training
· Fielding practice drills
· Group net sessions (under which we look at)
1. Spin bowling skills – focusing on the loop, landing, follow through
2. Pace bowling – looking at action, run up, follow through
3. Improving batting techniques.
I may not be very proficient with all of the above but I do try and slip in a few points.
After a grueling four-five hour practice session we all sit in a circle and chat. I observed that some of them were tongue-tied, shy to speak in public. I encouraged them to talk and share their good/bad points openly with the rest of the team.
We talk about drop catches, and good ones during the day, shots they would want to develop, what they see as their biggest weaknesses. Some of the players are good students in school as well. One boy said he was good at math. I asked him to think how he could use his mathematical skills on the field.
The idea is to develop not just their cricketing skills but a camaraderie among them, since cricket is team game. My aim is to make them not just good cricketers, but equally good human beings with a sporting spirit even when they are off the field.
We have learnt, and are learning, as much in our group discussions as we do during the training.
A few thoughts that emerged out of these sessions:
1)
Confidence and trust: As a team we should have immense confidence and trust in each other. This is a team game and If we work as individuals we are doomed.
2)
Encouragement and cooperation: These are a MUST when we are playing as a team. Encourage your partner, and cooperate with your Captain and respect his decisions.
3)
Mind game: Most important. This game is played between your ears. Be aware and be quick in judging opponent’s weakness and strength.
Will keep you posted on how the training goes.