Safety and Coaching in the Nets

Safety when Group Coaching:
IMPORTANT OVERALL TIPS FOR THE COACH:
SAFETY (MOST IMPORTANT):

1. Use Wind Balls®, Incrediballs® or tennis balls. NEVER USE CRICKET BALLS INDOORS WHEN GROUP COACHING. Cricket balls should be used outdoors only, and only with competent players.

2. (a) Always make sure there is a good distance between each group.
(b) Always make sure each group hits the ball away from each other or into walls.
(c) Always look for potential dangers. Keep an eye on your suspect players, and position yourself where you can see everybody.
(d) Do not let fielders stand too close to the batsmen.
(e) Be strict on safety and punish offenders (i.e. sit-ups, press-ups, etc.); but always have fun.
(f) Maintain an authoritative voice so that you are always heard. MOTIVATION
(g) The coach must maintain enthusiasm and energy throughout his session.
This always rubs off on the group in a positive way.

3. (a) Give plenty of praise before constructive criticism.
(b) Be strict but humorous and always have fun.
(c) Conclude practice with praise about positive improvement. COACHING PROGRESSION
(d) Always use collapsible cones to show where target areas are situated, or where players should stand or run to during fielding sessions.
(Never use cricket stumps for the above)

4. Always follow practice with a conditioned competitive game of what you have been working on. SUMMARY OF PRACTICE

5. Recap of coaching points, plus encouragement and praise.

DEMONSTRATION OF SHOT AND PRACTICE WITH GROUP:

5 minutes maximum and do not waffle. Project your voice and be precise and to the point. Coach should always have his bat with him! The coach explains the front foot drives with players sat in front of him. It is an attacking shot played off the front foot. It is used to score runs and hit boundaries. The shot is used more when you have already played yourself in and have runs on the board. This shot is played to a half volley which bounces near the batsman's front foot and hits the bat low down. This makes it easy to hit it successfully along the ground.

1. Coach executes silent demonstration without the ball, once side on, once front on.
2. Coach executes slow-motion demonstration, once side on, once front on, and introduces one or two coaching points.
3. Coach numbers off groups and sets up first group to show how practice works; others watch. (Put left-handers in the same group, if possible.)
4. Coach takes place of batsman in demonstration group and executes the shot, with the ball, one last time (explaining line, length and bounce of feed).
5. When first group is operational coach goes round and sets up other groups. MONITOR ALL GROUPS AT ALL TIMES - SAFETY.

A Coach must be firm fun and fair to maintain
a SAFE environment to work in.

View Video of an example of how to demonstrate to a group:

Safety when playing training Games:

TIPS FOR THE COACH:
1. NEVER USE CRICKET BALLS INDOORS USE CRICKET BALLS OUTDOORS ONLY, AND ONLY WITH COMPETENT PLAYERS
2. SAFETY
3. MOTIVATION AND ENCOURAGEMENT
4. TEAM SPIRIT
5. COMPETITIVENESS
6. CLEAR DEMONSTRATIONS
7. SUMMARY OF GAME, RECAP COACHING POINTS, AND PRAISE

Running a Net Session:

1. SIX PLAYERS PER NET One padding up, four bowling, one batting. Make sure batting time is shared equally among the players. (Time it with a watch)

2. FACILITY SAFETY a. Check nets for holes b. Find out where the nearest phone is (in case of emergency), and check for first aid kit. c. Make sure cricket mats are taped down at the ends.

3. BRIEF INTRODUCTION a. Introduce yourself. Say your name and, briefly, who you are. b. Ask their names. Ask if the bowlers have any injuries about which you should know.

4. NET SAFETY
(a) Show how to retrieve balls from side of net safely:
- Batsmen - Push bat into side netting, keeping head well away from the net. With your foot, roll ball into middle of practice area. Pick it up a safe distance from the net.
- Bowler - Retrieve ball with your foot, keeping head well away from the net. Look out for anyone batting in the next door net. Pick it up a safe distance from the net.
(b) Explain to bowler to always watch the batsman: BOWLERS MUST NEVER TAKE THEIR EYES OFF THE BATSMAN, ESPECIALLY WHEN WALKING BACK TO THE MARK.
(c) When to bowl - Do not bowl until previous bowler has walked back past the stumps you are going to bowl from.
(d) Make sure the batsman is fully kitted out. ASK IF HE IS WEARING A BOX. If he is not HE MUST NOT BAT, unless using a soft ball (e.g. an Incrediball).
He Should:
- Wear a helmet if he has one.
- Wear a thigh pad inside trousers.
- If possible, take off all jewellery and watches.
You should:
- Give batsman a guard, from directly behind the stumps at the bowler's end, where you will be.
- Where possible, he should mark his guard with chalk (provided by you) behind the stumps at the batsman's end.

5. THE COACH
(a) Should be well turned out, in whites.
(b) Should always have his bat with him, for demonstrations. (Place bat at back of net in side netting when not in use.)

6. COACHING IN THE NET If you feel the need to go down the net to explain a fault to a batsman:
(a) Take all the balls off the bowlers. Make sure they are at the back of the net, watching the batsman.
(b) Batsman demonstrates his shot. Coach shows the correct shot. Batsman copies coach.
(c) Coach then gives batsman a few feeds. Finish on a good shot. Allow five minutes maximum for this procedure.

7. BOWLER TO BATSMAN COACHING RATIOS Give as much coaching to batsmen as to bowlers. For the first few minutes of a batsman's innings watch him and weigh up his ability, allowing him to settle in before you begin to coach him. Similarly, let each bowler bowl for a few minutes before you attempt to correct any faults.

8. SET UP THE BOWLING
(a) Get the bowlers to mark out their run-ups (using chalk).
(b) Check their grips, but do not change anything at this stage. Observe players ability first. (See also point 11.)

9. SET REALISTIC TARGETS
For example, 4 balls left, 8 runs to win; or 4 balls, do not get out.

10. SUMMARY OF NET SESSION AS A GROUP
Batsman - Begin by praising him, then recap on coaching points. Bowlers to listen as well.
Bowlers - Again, begin with praise. For each bowler, recap points needing work. Other bowlers to listen.
Close the session with general encouragement and arrange to see them again.

11. NOTE - BE FLEXIBLE! If a batsman or bowler is playing successfully, but in an unorthodox way, do not be too hasty to make him change. If something is working well, leave it.