Technique | Cricket coaching, fitness and tips

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.

Technical Jargon Busting: Kinetic Chain

What is the kinetic chain, and what has it got to do with cricket?

In the coaching world, we often talk about the kinetic chain. It's a good shorthand term for a something that can get complex, especially when we discuss how to improve your bowling action. So, this article will give you a quick idea.

Richard Bailey on Practical Ways to Get Better at Cricket

Dr. Richard Bailey has written from a coaches view on helping players learn more quickly. Whether you coach or not, there are insights for becoming a better cricketer.

"According to some books for teachers, skill learning should take up to 3/4 of lesson time. As far as I can see, the only outcome of this approach is that learners switch off, and end up simply going through the motions. Effective practice activities should be relatively short, intense, and highly focused. They should also be immediately followed by an application in a meaningful game."

This article is refreshing is a land of dry theory because it gives several practical steps. It also opens up some ideas for discussion.

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.

What Alan's Core Training Advice Taught Me About Batting Technique

Alan Murdoch was our Strength and Conditioning Coach at Millfield school (he recently picked up a new job with Bath Rugby). He speaks my language, and I used some of his fitness advice to improve batting technique.

When one of the players came into The Bubble and really struggled with balanced at ball strike, the solution to the problem was simple.

Should You Reverse Sweep?

The reverse sweep; it's fun to play and is a well-established shot. Yet many still think it a high-risk funky shot that should be banished from the game. So should you play the reverse sweep?

The Benefits of a High Intensity Batting Academy

This is a guest article from Gary Palmer about the benefits of an intense Academy, and how you can join CCM Academy to get your fix of intense training.

Intensity will make you a better batsman.

When I say "intensity", I don't mean how angry you get. The Hulk is intense, but he can't bat. For me it's all about focus. At CCM Academy we pay meticulous attention to detail when it comes to constructing technique and developing skill levels. You can only do that in an intense academy environment.

Repetition over long periods of time makes a huge difference in developing and achieving high levels of skill, especially batting. Subjecting players to batting for prolonged period of time is paramount in developing focus, concentration and mental strength.

Use the Imaginary Tunnel to Boost This Batting Style

Have you noticed that some batters set up differently?

Bent knees and a slightly wider base are notable in Kevin Pietersen, Graeme Smith and Gary Ballance. They move completely differently. Their movements don't relate to those coaching words and terms that I have often been exposed to in during my 22 year coaching career.

How do you coach players like this when they struggle with technical issues?

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.