Practice | Cricket coaching, fitness and tips

Use This Simple 3 Stage Drill to Improve Batting Decision Making

Last week I talked about the missing two thirds of batting and focused on helping batters pick up visual cues. The next phase of the batting process is to build up our decision making capacity.

One of the ways that works for me is to build up the number of resources available to the individual: That is to say which options can be used.

I then to test which ones are most effective in a variety of scenarios and match conditions. This way, the player starts to decide for themselves.

I ran a session based on this today around playing spin using the Merlyn spin bowling machine variation mode which subtly shifts lengths by 10% either way.

The session went a little bit like this:

Could This Innovation in Nets Improve Your Team and Bring Revenue to Your Cricket Club?

Cricket nets are straightforward. You string them up, you practice your batting and bowling. But what if you could do a lot more with nets than that?

That's the idea behind the new nets at Torquay Cricket Club in the UK. And you could easily follow their example.

Discover the Missing Two Thirds of Batting Coaching

We coaches are generally very good at developing one part of batting:'shot execution'. That is the mechanics of each shot. But this is the last phase in a series of three.

Before you can play a shot you need to pick up the visual cues and decide on the shot. These are the missing phases for many of us.

So how do we go about developing the first two phases?

EXCLUSIVE: Inside MCC Lord's Club India Coaching Camp Drills

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What do you get if you combine exceptional facilities and coaching from the Marylebone Cricket Club with young, underprivileged boys in India?

You get the MCC Lord's Club in India. You get a genuine chance to become a cricketer.

And PitchVision was there. We wanted to give you a peek behind the velvet rope to find out what happens when an exclusive camp is opened up to those who could never experience it. Read on to find out more.

How to Land a Yorker

James Faulkner turned certain loss into monumental victory in the 2nd ODI against England in 2014. He was brilliant but - it has to be said - England were poor in the last gasps of that game.

One TV expert commented in review that "Surely England can’t be practising their yorkers." An easy assumption to make based on the outcome of the game.

However, the bottom line is that all International teams do practice bowling yorkers a lot. So, why couldn't England land them?

Don't Forget the Tail-Enders at Cricket Nets

Coach Iain Brunnschweiler is standing up for the "lower order run getters" this week, with a brand new "off the shelf" coaching session that gives the tail priority while you have nets.

What gives?

As Mark Garaway often reminds us, everyone in the team bats, and everyone in the team is allowed to score runs, not just the batters. So why shouldn't everyone practice batting?

How Ian Bell Helped One Batsman to Become a Rock Star

You might be surprised to learn that I'm not a big reader of books. Yet, occasionally, I come across a book that flows when I read it and has big enough font that even a fool like myself can keep pace and not make too many mistakes when reading in my head.

Robin Sharma has a wonderful book called The Greatness Guide in which he scribes a series of 2 page lessons that he has learnt from his life in business and now in his highly successful personal development coaching business.

One of the books lessons is;

Video: Make Cricket Coaching Easy with Drills from the Experts

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In this video Iain Brunnschweiler talks about how he bridges the gap between the enthusiastic dad coach and the professional arm of cricket.

The problem is that club coaches have plenty of energy and enthusiasm, but lack the skills and gear of the professional coaches.

So Brunchy talks about why he produced the Inspired Cricket Manual and Fun Size video drills: to make practice and match warm ups more fun and more effective through established tips and drills.

He also reveals an exclusive drill to improve the high catching of young cricketers!

Watch the video then click here to find out more about how Inspired Cricket can inspire your team to "EPIC" levels.

Best of 2013: Coaching and Training

Thanks to you, 2013 has been an incredible cricket year on PitchVision Academy. Yesterday we looked at batting and bowling, today we review the coaching and practice advice, lead by Mark Garaway.

As the man in charge of coach education on PitchVision Academy. Garas weekly column became essential reading for anyone who coaches. He took the most cutting-edge ideas and helped you to develop your skills with drills, ideas and hard science.

How to Move from Cricket Apprentice to Master

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How long does it take to serve your apprenticeship?

Cricket is frustrating. You want to achieve the mastery that your talent allows but you need to go through a long and difficult apprenticeship.

Even the most naturally talented players had to do it, so you are no exception.

Sachin Tendulkar has had more glory poured on him than any other batsman. And rightfully so, his performances with the bat have made Indian's proud. He was an international as a teenager, but even he served his apprenticeship.