Fielding | Cricket coaching, fitness and tips

Wicketkeeper Standing Back Drill

This is a cracking drill for wicket keepers standing back using equipment that is becoming commonplace within coaching kitbags around the world.

We are presently in a "specific preparation phase" of the programme, so much of the aim of our sessions are build volume into both keepers "catch" and to free up the movement patterns to both right and left handed batters.

The session was for two keepers. They swapped every six balls to simulate overs. We ran the session in a confined net area so I ensured that we maximised the width of the area so the keepers could move freely for offside takes and for simulated outside edges. It's just as easy to run outdoors or in the open, or both.

You can use a Sidearm, bowling machine or bowlers for the drill.

You'll also need Fusion Multi-stumps

EXCLUSIVE: First Class Fielding Course from Mark Garaway out Now, Buy Today on Pitchvision Academy

PitchVision Academy is delighted to announce that Mark Garaway's online coaching courses First Class Fielding is out now, exclusively on PitchVision Academy.

As you know, a few weeks ago we announced the ex-England Analyst and current Director of Coaching at Millfield School was revealing his methods in his first ever online coaching course. And since then it’s been a feast of fielding action on the site as a preview to the main event.

Now the wait is over, First Class Fielding available to purchase on PitchVision Academy. Get it now.

Click here to buy the online coaching course.

Combine Fielding Technique with Fun to Take Home Trophies

When I watch coaches take fielding sessions I see excellent activity, movement and enjoyment. Yet I would like to see this backed up by some coaching work.

It's great to see youngsters enjoying fielding drills. Fielding is a hugely important part of the game and we do it for the longest time within each game of cricket. Team drills all help towards facilitating better performance.

Make This Simple Change to Improve Slip Catching Drills

This video is a free sample of the online coaching course - First Class Fielding - from Mark Garaway

In this final preview video, Mark Garaway gets real about slip catching. In this video about slip catches from the seamers, Garas shows you how you could make a simple change that instantly improves realism.

Click the link to view Garas at work:

Here's an Alternative to the Same Old Catching Drills

This video is a free sample of the online coaching course - First Class Fielding - from Mark Garaway

Catching drills are vital, but they can get a bit dull after doing them every session for weeks at a time. In this video Mark Garaway makes it competitive and fun for some fielders, while also helping the coach review technique.

It's simple but astonishly effective: Check it out here:

Video: How to Throw Down the Stumps

This video is a free sample of the online coaching course - First Class Fielding - from Mark Garaway. Click here for details

There are few better sights in cricket than a fielder hitting the stumps and performing a perfect run out. Yet we can all do more to improve player's ability to hit the stumps. In this free video, Mark Garaway talks about a simple and effective way to hit more often.

For the rest of the course, a guide to coaching players to become top class cricket throwers and catchers, click here.

Catch it Soon: First Class Fielding with Mark Garaway

EXCLUSIVE: Mark Garaway Announces Guide to First-Class Fielding Skills

Learn Cutting-Edge Catching and Throwing Skills

PitchVision Academy are delighted to announce Director of Coach Education Mark Garaway's first online coaching course, available on January 22nd.

Click here for full details.

We are delighted to have Garas first video coaching guide because his coaching CV in unparalleled. After a career in county cricket he moved into coaching aged 26 at Hampshire Academy, moving though Hampshire up to England analyst, Ireland Cricket, ECB Coach Education and his current role at one of England's premier cricket schools: Millfield.

There is no doubt that Mark Garaway is one of the premier coaches working in the world today. And that means you can apply his experience and advice with your team too.

Improve Slip Catching with This Lesson from Old England

Ex-England coach Duncan Fletcher loves slip catching practice. He comes alive as he edges the ball to the slip cordon and encourages the players to strive for more consistency, more commitment and ultimately, more brilliance.

But it was not always the case. Fletch inherited a slip cordon in 2000 that was less than brilliant. He told me that many of the players were happy to let the ball bounce just infront of them instead of diving forward and attempting the catch.

He used to call poor commitment to this kind of ball "Old England" .

Make This Technical Change to Turn Slow Throws into Rockets

I can remember a player coming from the County game into the International ODI squad for the first time with the a real fielding problem.

His throw was completely ineffective.

It was as if he was throwing slower balls!

The ball was revolving like a spinner as it hit my catching mitt in practice. If the ball hit the ground it would react off the surface like an off cutter.

How Moving House Reminds Me of Great Fielding Plans

I'm moving house. While I was chucking out all sorts of rubbish in preparation, I stumbled across a fielding outline document.

The file underpinned England's fielding team at the 2007 World Cup. I put it together with key fielders within that group which included Paul Nixon, Paul Collingwood and Jimmy Anderson.