Basic Guidelines for Success

TIPS FOR THE PLAYER:

		Always be well turned out and on time for practice Practice with a purpose and a personal goal Practice as if you were playing in a match situation Practice good habits Focus your concentration while practising Be hungry for success - but show good sportsmanship Enjoy your practice
Steve Waugh Australia				Never stop working at your game even when you are at the top.

TIPS FOR THE COACH:
(You must be fanatical about safety - it is your number one priority)

• A good coach can correct a complex problem with a simple solution
• A good coach knows when to change techniques and when to leave alone
• A good coach can spot a problem at the source, rather than later on in a sequence of events
• Fault analysis should always be followed up with positive correction and praise
• When group coaching, try to work with a ratio of one coach per ten players
• Always position yourself where you can see everybody, and continually monitor all groups
• Follow group practices with a conditioned game (when possible)
• When coaching batting, always monitor grip, stance and backswing in order to correct technique and improve on bad habits
• Recap grip, stance and backswing when coaching follow-up sessions - they are the source of 80% of batting faults
• Straight-batted shots are top hand dominant, with the exception of the flick off the leg and leg glances
• Shots where the bat swings horizontally are all bottom hand dominant
• Coaching sessions should be SAFE, hard work and enjoyable
• When running a net session, never have more than six players
• Never leave children unattended with balls: always collect them at break intervals
• Never sacrifice SAFETY for maximum activity
• Encourage the use of helmets in nets and match practice
• Always project your voice with confidence
• Always carry a selection of cricket balls, tennis balls and Incrediballs®/Wind Balls®
• Never mix tennis balls and cricket balls in the same bag: a child may mistakenly take out a hard ball
• Never ask a group of children to throw you a ball: single out just one (otherwise you may be bombarded!)
• Make sure you use the correct size of ball, appropriate to the age of the players: 13 years and under - 4 3/4 oz, Junior Incrediballs®/Wind Balls®14 years and over - 5 1/2 oz, Senior Incrediballs®/Wind Balls®
• Make sure the pitches and nets you use are suitably sized, again appropriate to the age of the players: Under 11, 20 yards : Under 12, 21 yards : Under 13, 21 yards : 13 and over, 22 yards
• Always look out for potential dangers
• All group practices in this manual should be done under the supervision of a coach or coaches
• Fielding Restrictions - No fielders closer than 11 yards U13, 8 yards U15, in front of the wicket from the striker
• Never ever leave a bowling machine unattended, even with adults

WHAT QUALITIES DOES A GOOD COACH NEED TO HAVE?

• GOOD COMMUNICATION
• GOOD DEMONSTRATION SKILLS
• UNDERSTANDING OF THE GAME
• A GOOD SENSE OF HUMOUR
• GOOD TECHNICAL KNOWLEDGE
• A POSITIVE ATTITUDE
• LEADERSHIP QUALITIES
• KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING OF HIS PLAYERS
• ENTHUSIASM
• A SMART AND WELL TURNED OUT APPEARANCE

WHAT IS A COACH?

• A TEACHER
• A COMMUNICATOR
• A MANAGER
• A DISCIPLINARIAN
• A MOTIVATOR
• AN ENTHUSIAST
• A TECHNICIAN