What are the Benefits of Good Team Spirit?
- Players are more likely to enjoy the game.
- Loyalty to the club is increased.
- Players learn from each others experience.
- Healthy competition is introduced.
- Everyone has a common goal – To Win!
How Can This Improve Our Cricket?
- Strong team spirit will intimidate the opposition.
- Batsmen will communicate well between the wickets.
- Hence good partnerships will be built.
- Fielders will motivate the bowler to put the batsman under pressure.
- Communication and backing-up in the field will become natural.
Team spirit can be the difference between winning and losing!
So How Do We Develop Team Spirit in Kids?
- Make sure every youngster is given a role in the side.
- Provide juniors with club kit or even a cap with the club badge. They will feel they belong to a team.
- Introduce team building activities to kids coaching sessions. But make them fun!
- Praise the team as a whole, not individually.
- Allow youngsters to have a winning song or dance to celebrate their achievements.
As they Progress to Senior Cricket
- Allow talented players to train with adult sides to help them build rapport, as long as their safety is not compromised.
- Don’t make the mistake of picking kids for fielding purposes, they will lose interest.
- Encourage them to support other team members on the field.
- Praise youngsters when they do something well.
- Don’t criticise when they make mistakes, they are going through a learning curve.
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