Secret 1: Think long term
That starts with good planning for the future.Who knows how good that 6 year old might be if he is given the right preparation?
The Long Term Athlete Development (LTAD) model identifies different stages in a player’s development. This plan highlights what key elements should be introduced to the player’s game at different points in their career, starting with the basics at the fundamentals stage.
Any coach should be encouraged to use this model to shape his or her own methods of coaching. It's a template to work from whether you are building future Test players or just helping boys and girls to have fun.
Secret 2: Have fun
And it's fun that is the secret to getting youngsters interested in the game for the long term.Yes, cricket is about patience, concentration and competitiveness but we should not forget the fun aspect when teaching kids.
Think Twenty20 not Tests when coaching; at least in terms of keeping things 'all action'. This will gain the attention of kids.
Make training fun. Play lots of games and don’t make it too serious. If players enjoy the sessions they are more likely to keep playing and will make you a proud coach!
Secret 3: Get into schools
From my experience in coaching I’ve noticed quite a few youngsters who have an interest in the game but it is not offered at their schools and they have also not been presented with the opportunity to join a club.How tragic is it that we are losing players to the game because clubs and schools can't get together?
I would recommend that schools offered their facilities to clubs and hold some cricket taster sessions. That will provide an opportunity to promote the game and also help recruit new players to the club.
It's also a good idea that schools offer their facilities to local clubs to host tournaments as this generates community interest.
Secret 4: Offer the best resources
A well-managed cricket club with good facilities is more likely to keep hold of young players and will get the best out of them. Aim for a team of coaches, offering their services to different age groups. A support structure should also be in place such as welfare officers, first aiders, media liaison and community engagement officers. There will also be adequate netting facilities and training equipment available.
Researched from Pitchvision.
