Pitchvision Academy


Hi,

Your cricketing treats wrapped in articles, video and audio this week as we delve into Twenty20.

We learn how batsmen develop technique, how to make the most of tournaments and how spinners can hold down a place in the side.

Have a great weekend,



David Hinchliffe



Throw Away the Textbook: How Batsmen Really Develop Technique

  

Psychologist columnist Karl Stevenson tells us why it's time to forget about the textbook when it comes to batting.

Here is an over-rated phrase:

"That shot is straight out of the textbook!"

The truth is that in the modern era of cricket we hear it less and less. It's no longer relevant, if it ever was.

My problem with the textbook starts with three simple questions; if we look at these questions, we uncover the fundamentals of how batsmen really develop a successful technique.

1. Who wrote it?

If a coaching governing body - with access to a wealth of technical and biomechanical data - wrote the textbook, that text book is going to be very detailed and describe a step-by-step process of each shot. These governing bodies pass that information to the coaches, from grass roots to international level.

This is what happens in the UK. Most children are taught by certified coaches who use this information. Almost all of their cricketing experiences are structured and are supervised by a coach, allowing these children to get taught the 'proper' technique.

This is totally different from what happens in India.

Children engage in a huge amount of unstructured and unsupervised cricket. These experiences act as their own coaching experiences. With no one there to tell them what is correct, they are able to identify and work out for themselves what works for them in a game of cricket.

These unsupervised activities lead to a greater understanding of how to score in a competitive setting, especially when compared to conventional net practice that is seen in the UK. However, technically, those players are less 'correct' than the players that are developed in the UK.

The debate is which method - if any - is more important?

The answer is always the same; a mixture of the two.

2. Where was it written?

Let’s say the textbook was written by a coach in England.

The coach who wrote it would have to develop a technique that suited the conditions in England; damp and moist conditions which suit swing and seam bowling. The majority of successful English batsmen have the skills to be able to deal with those conditions. These skills include playing down the line of the ball, being able to leave the ball, and being able to play off of the back foot.

If we compare the English textbook to one that was written by a coach in India where the pitches are dry, slow, and low in comparison, we see fundamental differences in the technique used.

Players in India are able to use their feet, play spin bowling effectively and are more wrist orientated, compared to the importance of a high elbow in England.

Meanwhile in Australia and South Africa, the pitches are hard, flat, and more bouncy. Those players are able to play more off of the back foot, hitting square of the wicket, with the ability to be able to hit the ball while it is still on the bounce when it is full. Ricky Ponting was arguably the best player of the pull shot and we have recently seen Hashim Amla’s ability to play flamboyant drives through the covers.

These fundamental differences in conditions act in the same way as the coaching that we receive when we are younger. We develop the skills that allow us to best cope in our environment. The players are 'textbook' under conditions that are familiar to them, allowing their skills to be more robust in comparison to those who do not have the techniques to deal with the conditions at hand.

This leads us to the last question.

3. Who reads it?

This is the most important part. Players cannot change who wrote their original textbook, or where it was written, but they can change which textbook they study.

If we look at the tours that the BCCI schedules for its Under 19 and A squads, we can see that they select different playing environments. This is their opportunity to be able to study another textbook. These experiences allow those players to be able to identify potential flaws, and understand how they need to be able to alter their technique to be versatile under different playing conditions.

The key word is versatility.

Regardless of what country in which you play, or what format of cricket you are playing, you need to be able to have a robust, but versatile technique that allows you to be competitive.

The more unique training or playing situations you can put yourself into, the better it will be for your overall game. Seek out those experiences; even if it is just changing the way you train in the nets, and your game will reap the rewards of a versatile technique.

Karl Stevenson is a final year PhD student who has spent the last 7 years investigating the psycho-visual skills of striking sports. He works alongside coaches and athletes as a mental skills coach to develop skills in an applied setting.



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How to Make the Most of Twenty20 Tournaments
 

As part of our Twenty20 series to line up with the ICC World Twenty20, we take a video look at how to make the most of a T20 tournament as a young player.

In this video, I catch up with Gary Palmer as he coaches his Under 14 Academy players at a week-long tournament with up to 2 games a day.

This tournament happened in England, but the lessons learned are just as relevant for coaches and players all over the world, especially in India.

In the interview we discuss:

  • How tournament compare to season
  • How to handle playing in a squad rotation system
  • Goal setting and self-confidence in T20 tournaments
  • What to do as a parent, or a coach handling parents
  • How to use your underdog status to build confidence
  • Specific T20 hitting practice between games
  • Running between the wickets drills
  • The best attitude for tournament play to impress the coach

Click here to view the video



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Cricket Show 180: India's World Twenty20 Hopes
 

Burners is working in India, so coach and cricketer Nikhil Sharma direct from Haryana has his first full appearance on the show. We talk about India's chances in the World Twenty20, profiling, power hitting and playing spin bowling.

The Tailender is "going deep". Listen to the end to find out more.

 

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Putting on a Show: What India's Practice Teaches You About Being A Showstopping Cricketer
 

Playing cricket is a show.

Even when India are playing meaningless warm up matches before the World T20, millions are gripped to the outcome. The fans don't want to see a workmanlike, efficient performance either.

We want drama and showmanship.

We want players who can do things about which we only dream.

And it's exactly the same at your level; you have to put on a show. It's the only way to raise the roof.


Read More...
 
Twenty20 Means Spinners Need to Bat Well
 

Menno Gazendam is author of Spin Bowling Project. Get your free 8 week spin bowling course here. 

As a spinner you already have a battle just to justify your position on the Twenty20 team.

Most captains have limited sympathy for spinners. You often find yourself bowling well short of your full spell.


Read More...
 

About PitchVision Academy
 

Welcome to this week's guide to playing and coaching better cricket.

I'm David Hinchliffe and I'm Director of the PitchVision Academy team. With this newsletter you are benefitting directly from over 25 Academy coaches. Our skills include international runs and wickets, first-class coaching, cutting-edge research and real-life playing experience.

 
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Issue: 221
Date: 2012-09-21