Technique Analysis
When you analyse technique you need to know what is wrong and more importantly where to start the correction process. The art of good coaching is to keep it simple. If you can say one simple thing that resolves 2 or 3 more complex problems thus correcting a batters technique and making him a better player, this is a sign of very good coaching. You must try to identify a batting fault at its source rather than where it shows its self further on within the technical sequence of a stroke (Priority Coaching!). 80% of all batting faults normally start with the backswing.
Graeme Hick analysing his technique using Quintic Batting Mechanics
The order of sequence used to identify a batter's fault is as follows:
TECHNIQUE
1) Backswing
2) Lean of head and shoulder (balance)
3) Footwork and positioning. (Length of stride forward or back)
4) Swing of arms and full bat face towards the ball.
5) Finish position.
If a batter were out of form you would need to analyse the following areas for clues to help you find solutions to help that particular player.
TECHNICAL
TACTICAL
MENTAL
FITNESS
LIFESTYLE MANAGEMENT
1) Technical - as described above.
2) Tactical - Was the relevant game plan being used for the match situation, type of bowler and wicket? Was he or she playing the correct shot to that specific delivery? Was the shot hit with or against the spin? Was the batter looking to hit the ball in the appropriate areas?
3) Mental - Was the player in the right frame of mind? This area requires an interview with the player where the coach gets the player to do most of the talking. Player and coach then interact and together come up with a plan about the way forward. They must both be happy with this plan. The player must buy in to it 100% for it to be effective and for it to work.
4) Fitness - Did the batter get out because he lost concentration because he was not fit? Was it a mental problem because his mind was on other things? If it is a fitness problem the coach and player agree on an appropriate fitness program.
5) Lifestyle Management - Was the batter out all night, therefore tired and unable to concentrate? If so, coach and player set out a time table on how to manage the various things going on in your life and then maybe the player through conversation with the coach realises he has to make some sacrifices in his life to enable him to be successful and become a consistent and better player with the chance of going to the top.
The coach is like a detective trying to find the various clues to why a player is out of form.
TIP! Once you have identified a potential problem, get to the source of it within the various coaching components by asking yourself why on each answer 3 to 4 times and think about your various answers. This will make you very thorough in your analysis and lead you to the real problem so you can get on and now correct it.
However complex a technical fault maybe, the coach should make his technical input to the player as simple and as easy to understand as possible.
Where possible the coach should get the player to shadow demonstrate the correct shot that they are both looking for. Correct shadow demonstrations is an imagery process which stores the correct feeling in the players muscle memory. (It's easier to shadow a correct shot without the ball than with the ball).
