What's the missing link? | Cricket coaching, fitness and tips

What's the missing link?

I got an email the other day from a reader telling me the miCricketCoach pages have too many tips, drills and information. As a result they are going to stop reading.

They didn't say they were going to get outside and play cricket instead, but if they did I would probably applaud their action. As Merlin Mann said:

"We can’t get good at something solely by reading about it. And we’ll never make giant leaps in any endeavor by treating it like a snack food that we munch on whenever we’re getting bored. You get good at something by doing it repeatedly. And by listening to specific criticism from people who are already good at what you do."

I've always thought of miCricketCoach as a reference guide for people who are actually out there playing, training and trying to improve. But Merlin's post made me think perhaps the tips alone are not enough.

It's a bit like doing drills.

We all know the player who is perfect when drilling or netting but when they get out in the middle it all goes horribly wrong. There is a disconnection between the drill and actual play. In a similar way there is a disconnection between the pages here on miCricketCoach and what you do in practice or in the middle.

The missing link

I know from the responses to my request for a case study this coming year that there is plenty of enthusiasm for that gap to be bridged: A feedback system if you like.

I also know many readers are coaches themselves looking for support or players without a coach needing a little more than the odd tip. For example, to be a genuinely fast and accurate bowler you can't just post a comment here and wait for someone to give you a one line answer. It takes work, practice and many hours of full commitment.

I tell you what has worked for me in the past; you try it and report back. You get better at playing; I get better at helping you.

We all win when there is some accountability.

That's the one big reason we are setting up the world's first online cricket coaching academy: PitchVision Academy staffed with big name coaches who will be able to help you take action rather than just read tips or mindlessly drill.

Just start: Even if you might be wrong

But before even joining in there, you can start taking action.

After all, even doing things wrong is better than not doing anything. At least you can learn from your mistakes. We all make them, me included.

You can hold yourself accountable here. Set up a training log and when you do something note it down. Nobody is trying to catch you out. It's actually better when you do things wrong and learn from them like friend of miCricketCoach Shaaz.

So make a plan (it can be as simple as you like) then get out there and start moving towards your goal, whatever it is. A journey of 10,000 hours (they say) starts with the first hour.

Once you have done that first hour, come back and record how it went. Tell us how you felt if you like or just record what happened. That's what I'm doing, I hope you can join me.

Make yourself accountable and then just start.
 
Together we are stronger in action.

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Comments

In my opinion your doing too many of these field setting articles - I log on and look forward to a good read and theres just a picture that must have taken all of 20 minutes to knock up?

Just my opinion
Thanks

Thanks Leo, this isn't a field setting article, but I do one a week that also includes batting and bowling tactics. What would you like to see instead?

I cant see whats wrong with the field settings. The actual diagrams aren't particually useful but the bowling, and especially the batting tips are brilliant. They not only show you give you the tips, but also show you how to put them into practice. Only criticism is where it says play a particular shot ie. lofted pick up, it does not have any tips/articals on how to play that particular shot. All the same, these are brilliant. Keep em coming.

Yeah I know its not a field setting article but as you said you got a suggestion, thats just my suggestion. Sorry probably didnt word it very well!
I'd as Ben said like to see more shot tutorials aswell... coaching manual style.

Leo, there is a complete batting guide coming up as part of the Academy so you are in luck there.

Thanks for the suggestions both.

I do welcome all comments and I appreciate you taking the time to do so (many don't). Thing is, that field setting section is very popular so as you can imagine I'm going to keep doing it on Fridays for a while!

I Hope you will stick with me though Leo, I put a lot of effort into every single thing I produce. I would never knock something up in 20 minutes unless it is of a good enough personal standard (those field setting articles actually take over an hour to make for example).

Yeah keep it up it's really good. Thanks a lot.

My feeling is that in trying to cover all the bases, you cannot help touching on subjects that some people have little or no interest in. It is impossible to provide the service you are trying to without going into subjects which some may not find relevant to their circumstances. Subscribers must sift through the content to find what is of interest to them, and they will probably inadvertantly pick up several useful tips along the way! I have never yet read a magazine where I have been interested in each and every article offered!
My only problems are that the links to the various articles are slooow, and the various articles are not grouped in easy to get at segments. The fielding drills for instance are spread over several articles which I need to individually access.
Just my thoughts
Allen

Great feedback Allen. There is an easy way to get what you want. Look here for advice: searching the site The complete guide to fielding drills is the place to go for.

I do try and keep everything as relevant as possible to everyone and I'm always looking for suggestions as to how to improve this. Thanks again for some great comments. Looking forward to more suggestions!