Teach them young

Time waits for no human being. Cricketers who strive for a place in the National team, know of the immense value once they get there and so stretch their “shelf life” to the maximum. However, the time will come for every player to hang up his boots.

A world cup ended a few weeks ago. When the next one comes around in four years time there will be plenty of new faces in world cricket. In the Sri Lankan camp, Russel Arnold has become the first to quit. He must have felt that the time was right to move on in life. Not all players feel that way. Most, mainly in the Asian region, squeeze out of every bit of their playing time. Provided the player maintains a high level of fitness it is acceptable. To live on past reputation is not acceptable in this team game.

As much as there is an ending, there is a beginning. The brilliance of international players brings joy to the eye. To those entrenched in the game, watching an eight year old straining to strike the ball, also brings joy. Totally different levels, but the enthusiasm and the will does not differ.

Encouragement, become priority number one. That must come from parents, teachers and coaches. At a young age, as beginners, some will show plenty of natural talent. A common mistake is to give more time to such players. Sure, they must be directed quickly through the correct channels, but simultaneously it must be remembered that there is no age for the development process.

The connected factors to work on are stamina, speed, strength, agility, coordination and ball sense. There is plenty being done at present on developing stamina, speed and agility. What is important is to ensure the dosage is correct. Too much can also do harm.

Promoting hand eye coordination and ball sense is best done through involvement in other sports. Racquet sports help immensely. Table tennis, tennis, badminton and squash are sports that in different ways help this cause. Get more deeply involved in these sports and it also helps develop concentration. Get them into the pool and swimming. Physically, the ideal stabilizer for cricket.

With limited overs cricket making up a major part of the game and being a more attractive form to watch and a more exciting form to play, compared with the traditional long game, unorthodox methods tend to creep in to play. It is therefore important work on basic techniques from the ages eight and nine.

In the beginning every budding youngster wants to bat. It takes years to realize whether bowling is in the blood. To play with a light bat becomes a necessity. Depending on the build the youngsters must be able to swing the bat freely, through the line, in the right direction to strike the ball off the middle of the bat. The next requirement is the grip. There can be minor variations to the text book method of gripping the bat, but it is best to stick to the proven methods. So too with the stance. Every youngster must be educated on the text book methods. It is best to do this at the very start, to avoid having to make changes later in a career.

Bowling is about balance and rhythm. Many youngsters start off by wanting to bowl fast. For some it comes naturally to bowl slow and want to become a spinner. The grip and approach has to be taught and mastered early. Those who are bigger built and athleic will want to stick with bowling pace. The time comes when the individual realizes which way he must go. However, the coaches input often helps.

Fielding is the common factor and requirement for all to develop. Wicket keepers, as the saying goes, are born and not made. They take to the gloves like ducks to water. It is a talent and almost all who take on the job are born with it. Again, some are better at fielding than others. Those who need more work must be given more work so that they improve. The better a player becomes at fielding the more he wants to work at it because of the enjoyment factor and the satisfaction derived at the results that become evident.

Tournament cricket at a young age has its good and its evil. Whilst playing games with the idea of winning breeds competitiveness, if not properly advised by coaches, can also breed negativeness. To avoid defeat coaches sometimes get their charges to become ultra negative. That does not help. Be it batting or bowling, it is only positive play combined with calculated aggression that directs players to develop and develop unhindered.

From the age of thirteen or so cricketers today, have the opportunity of progressing through the ranks to reach the highest level and achieve their goals. To catch them young and instill the basics, encourage them and guide them through the correct path is the requirement. There is plenty of talent available and players with desire. The attitude to improve and strive to achieve their goals must be inculcated from the beginning.