Junior Cricket Easter Holidays Session 2 (30th March 2013)

Like the last week, we decided to focus on the basics of another aspect of cricket. This weeks session was to focus on batting and the basics that surround it such as how to hold the bat, taking a guard and playing with a straight bat (front foot defensive and front foot drive).

As with all coaching session, we started with a warm-up again that was specific to the session they were about to take part. Now, although this is a batting session another catching drill will be used to get the children alert and focused and to get their hand eye co-ordination in action. Split the group into 4-5's and put them in small circles with a ball, quickly passing the ball round the circle whilst calling names. Taking these close quick catches will get them to think about using their eyes and hands together and seeing the ball, both of which are specific to batting.

To start with we looked at how to hold the bat correctly. Holding the bat in the correct manner allows for more movement with the arms as the bat handle will not interfere as it can with incorrect techniques. Using the picture tomorrow, we showed the players what their hands should look like on the bat. The picture made it a lot easier to explain and demonstrate what we meant as some of the kids didn't really get what we meant by the "V".

After they were all comfortable with the way to hold the bat we started to get them into playing a few shots. 

The first shot we decided on was the front foot defensive as this is one of the most common shots used in cricket and is essential to any batsmen who wants to go on score some runs. Firstly we demonstrated the shot to them and how it should look in its full form and then asked the children if they noticed anything we did as batsmen that were part of the shot. They noticed the step forward to meet the ball and that the bat was straight. This was encouraging for us as it showed pre-session knowledge so we were confident in them getting on with he drill without any fuss.

We paired them up and did bobble feeds to the partner with a bat (10x repetitions each) before they swapped round. All we were looking for was the correct technique or signs of it at least, as this is the first time Chelford CC has had junior players at the club since I was 14 years old and playing Junior cricket. We are not expecting instant results from this children but hopefully we can get them to a level where they can compete in a league in the coming years and further progress onto playing second and first team cricket.

After the ten repetitions had been done, we progressed the front foot defensive into the front foot drive, a more attacking version of the shot which is more for scoring runs than protecting their wicket. The main difference in the two shots is that instead of blocking the ball with a straight bat, you push more at the ball with the aim for the ball to go towards a gap in the field. Each player had 10 balls, each ball on a cone ready to be driven straight back towards their partner. All they had to do was stride with their standing foot next to the cone, and strike the ball with a straight bat.

Like the end of each drill, we got the children in and asked them some questions about what they had done so far, for clarification of understanding and for them to ask anything they did not understand so we could clear up any loose ends on the shots.

Game for the end of the session involved scoring points for successful attempts of the two shots learnt. A ring of 5 yards was placed around the batsmen and his stumps for the front foot defensive and two cones 15 yards apart with two fielders inside was placed in behind the feeder where points were scored for successful front foot drives.

For this session, I felt that as a coach I did a good job and that the kids found my coaching method and style easy to follow and suitable for what they wanted to get from the session. The difference in how the shots were played pre-coaching and post-coaching was noticeable however, as previously stated, it's still too early to judge how their development as players in this sport will continue to go.

Easter Holidays: Cricket Session Number 1 (Saturday 23rd March)

During the Easter holidays, my local cricket club, for who I have played 2nd team senior cricket for since I was 14 years old, have started their summer net sessions for the seniors and the juniors.

Last year, I was the clubs junior coach because for one I wanted to give something back to the club as the club did a lot for me when I was playing junior cricket, but secondly and most importantly, the experience would go a long way to helping me improve my skill as a coach and learn how different children react to different methods of coaching.

On the Saturday morning, me and another member of the club who have been doing our ECB Level 2 coaching course decided to start up the juniors during the holidays while they were all of school. The first session we did was on the 30th March and was just an introductory session to the basic skills and knowledge of cricket as we had a few kids who didn't know a lot of the sport, they just wanted to have a bat with their mates.

To start with was a gentle jog for a warm-up just to get them warm and loose with a game specific drill afterwards just to get them focused. The game based drill was just throwing and catching a ball in a circle. This is a basic but effective drill for the first session back because it wakes the children up as they need to focus on catching the ball, but also it is an opportunity for them to learn each others names as they are throwing it to the person who's name they call.

Next was the main section of the session which was the basics of fielding. Fielding is the most important part of the sport as it is the one thing that every player is guarenteed to have to do at somepoint in a game, and having a good fielding side can be the difference between winning or losing, a single or a boundary, a wicket or a drop in morale from the missed the chance. If a team can field then batting and bowling will come as the season goes on.

Fielding drills used were all based on three specific skills to fielding; the long barrier, the one hand intercept and the two hand intercept. All of these are used in a game of cricket on a regular basis, but knowing when to use which is the difference between saving runs or conceding runs.

The long barrier drill was a simple one, the children paired up and stood 20 yards apart. They would take in turns to roll the ball towards each other and to stop it they had to perform the long barrier. As they were doing this I was watching their techniques so I could see what they struggled with, so the next time the drill was done I could show and correct them to help them improve.

The same sort of thing was done with the one hand and two hand intercepts, however, instead of pairing them up me and my coaching partner would act as the feeder and wicket keeper with the children stood in a line 20-30 yards away. I would roll the ball out, they would attack it first time round one handed and under arm throw to the wicket keeper. Second time round they would attack it two handed and over arm throw it in. After each had done both techniques, we got them in again and asked them a feq questions about all the skills. Questions such as;

"When do you think a long barrier would be used?"
"If you were trying to run someone out which of the techniques would use?"
"You are fielding on the boundary and the ball is hit low and hard, which technique do you use?"

These sorts of questions allowed me to check their understanding of what we were showing them and allowed each of the children to clarify things with us, ask us about the skills, check they were doing things right and that they did understand.

As always, I finish the session with a game which is related and scored on the techniques looked at during the session. The game that was played included one batsmen and one feeder. A feeder what drop feed the ball and the batsmen would play a straight drive. The fielders are 30 yards away and have to run in/wait for the ball and use the correct technique appropriate to their approach. They score points for a solid stop/good pick-up and for an accurate throw in to the keeper.

For me this session was a good success, it's not always easy to get through the first session of the season as the children are not quite in cricket mood yet and fielding is not the most thrilling aspect of the game, but by making the drills have an element of competition in them, the kids want to get involved and win. But importantly, the drills do maintain the correct knowledge and structure to acquire the necessary skills to play the game

Nick Levett and Roger Davies (The FA)

Today we had two guest speakers from the FA, Nick Levett and Roger Davies. Both work in the FA trying to develop youth in the game of football and came in to speak to us about how they go about and how they see the game of football at grass roots level.

Both of them were very keen on telling us about TGfU (Teaching Games for Understanding) because they believed that using the game as a teacher is the best way for a child to learn the rules and skills properly. Using TGfU allows a coach to still teach a game and the principles of it but at the same time allowing the players to work things out for themselves so there is an element of independent learning in there as well as the coaching points needed.

The following quotes were taken off the presentation done;

" In TGfU the pupil learns from the problems posted by the teacher" (Rod Thorpe, 2012)

" The beauty of games is the unscripted drama" (Alan Owen, 2012)

" There are no right ways to coach -  just ensure you do the right thing at the right time with the individual" (David Bunker, 2012)

" Whilst innovation is key you also need to make sure you get the basics right" (Sir David Brailsford)

" It is what the learner says and thinks and does that creates learning and not what the teacher says and thinks and does" (Alastair Smith)

All these quotes have given me an insight into how people see coaching and TGfU and I plan to use these quotes to help me ensure that I am maximising the individuals ability to learn and develop in every session.

When coaching it is important to check for understanding after explaining something and at the end of a session to ensure the participants took from the session what they were supposed to. This can be done at it's simplest with the use of questions and different types of questions can be structured to target a different aspect of the game.

For example;

• WHAT DO YOU think can be done to help the attackers? What do you focuses on the tactical aspects of the game.
• HOW DO YOU shoot a football? How do you focuses on the skill aspects of the game
• WHEN IS THE BEST TIME TO release the ball during a bowling action? When is the best time to focuses on the timing of a specific skill in a game.
• WHERE IS/CAN you stand to help you defend the corner? Where is/can focuses on the space that could be used in a sport.
• WHICH CHOICE would you make when you see a full toss, try and smack it or make sure you score? Which choice focuses on the risk/rewards of a sport.

Also during the talk I learned a number of other definitions which I can use during the rest of my time at University but more importantly during any coaching I do:

1. Diversification - many sports young can reap rewards when specialising later in life.
2. Deliberate Practice -  Specific goals and immediate feedback
3. Deliberate Play - uninstructed play = multitude of solutions
4. 1-dimensional games - minimal direction increases vision and possibility of solutions
5. Deliberate Coaching - Don't narrow the focus of the players.

All in all, I found this session exrtremeley beneficial and have taken a lot out of it with regards to ways of coaching and how important it is to maximise the development of young participants at grass roots level.