What’s in a word? Sometimes quite a lot!
Finding the right coaching phrases is a very delicate skill. In fact, sometimes a single word can be the difference between a positive and a negative outcome.
As coaches, we sometimes assume some messages are, “implied”. But young players often take an instruction literally. This can lead to confusion when they have followed the advice, but it doesn’t appear to work.
I have selected 5 common phrases that are misunderstood…and offered some alternatives!
BATTING: “GET YOUR HEAD DOWN
“This should really be, “look down”.
In reality, during a front foot shot a player’s head will move down slightly. But this is more a consequence of a wider stance. The main head movement is forwards.
By watching a shot from the side, you can see the difference between, “head down” and “looking down”.
Good phrases:
“Are you looking over your bat? Or around it”?
“Get strong/steady”
Look out for:
Unbalanced stance – Players will often crouch too much, stoop or lunge forwards. These could all be signs of them trying to do the right thing…but in the wrong way.
ALSO READ: Getting comfortable on the leg-side.
BATTING: “MOVE YOUR FEET”
Yes. But where? Good footwork is an important component of batting. But it is also:
a) A consequence of leaning – Moving your head affects your weight transfer. Which affects your step.
b) Conditional on where the ball is – A “good stride” is only good if it in the right direction.
Look out for:
Early movement – When players get obsessed with their footwork they can begin to pre-meditate, and plunge their foot down the pitch before they’ve had time to track the ball.
Stance – Is their weight going towards the release point of the ball? Remember, this can vary by about 3-4m (left-arm-round compared to left-arm-round).
Good phrases:
“Get in line”.
“Where’s the ball?”
“Lean”
ALSO READ: Coaching perseverance. How to join good shots up?
BATTING (V SPIN): “USE YOUR FEET”
You might well be thinking, “but I do want them to be pro-active”. And you are absolutely right. But consider how a young player interprets this phrase. Go further than the phrase.
“Use your feet”, doesn’t have to mean charge the first delivery and smash the ball over their head. When they’ve done this, and failed, the coach can’t turn around and say, “what did you do that for”?
How, then, to we encourage enterprising, pro-active cricket? We need more nuance.
Look out for:
Moving to leg-side – Thus away from the line of the ball. Players sometimes don’t realise they’ve done this. Watch the 2nd step especially.
Good phrases:
“Look to use your feet” – Keeps the player focussed on what matter…tracking the path of the ball!
“Use the crease” – This refers to moving forwards OR back…but not getting caught in between.
“Keep your options open” – “Plan B” can be a push into space. If you aren’t in control, keep that option.
ALSO READ: How can we hit more balls outside off-stump?
“CATCH WITH SOFT HANDS”
How soft? Can they be too soft?
Young players often over-estimate how much “give” your hands actually need. In most cases, it is a matter of 20-30cm. Go too far, and the ball can slip out of your grasp.
Coaches need to teach young players that it isn’t only their hands that contribute to the catch. Because of this, I prefer to use the phrase, “cushion the ball”.
Look out for:
Hands back – Or too tight to your body. This means you physically can’t bring them back.
Spinning body – Or jumping out of position. These are signs that the player is trying to over-cushion the ball.
Fingertips exposed – Sometimes a half-step in line with the ball prevents this. Lots of players appear to be “scared of the ball. Well, wouldn’t you be, if you copped a ball on the fingertips every other catch?
Good phrases:
“Set your feet” – Creating the right body angle is really important. Give your hands somewhere to go.
“Elbow back” – If the elbow comes back with the hand, there is more chance of stable “cushion” effect.
ALSO READ: Moving in the field. From the “sway” to the “superman”
FIELDING “ATTACK THE BALL”
We can get too worked up about, “energy in the field”. But this energy needs direction! Without composure, you don’t have a ball in your hand to field in the first place!
Coaches need to clarify what they mean by, “attack the ball”. We need to show that is more than charging forwards. Break the act up into 3 stages.
I call this the , “fast-slow-fast” technique.
1. Approach (fast) – Narrow the gap as much as possible.
2. Gather (slow) – Steady yourself, collect the ball.
3. Turn & throw (fast) – Pull the trigger and fire.
I tend to recommend 1 second of “steadying time”, between the approach and pick-up. The more adept you get at the skill, the less steadying time you will need.
Look out for:
Still walking in (at the point of delivery) – If players appear sluggish moving side-to-side, this is a common reason.
Posture – Especially whether their head is supported as they get low.
Overly cautious – Some young players will slow down a long time before they need to.
Good phrases
“Tempo” – Players can turn the intensity gently up or down. See if you can get the team to develop an individual collective understanding of each other. What is required in each situation?
“Next ball” – Just like batting, each fielding event needs to be treated “on its own merits”. Make sure players aren’t over-reacting to mistakes (or brilliance). Adrenaline can lead to impulsiveness, or a desire to amend for a mistake right away.
ALSO READ: More than technique – how to create successful fielders.
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