Cricket coaching, fitness and tips | PitchVision Academy

Fielding Drills: Double slip cordon

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Purpose: To practice close catching continuously.

Description: Players from two slip cordons around 10m from the coach (c). The coach then hits alternately to each group with either a pull or cut shot. Players return the ball after catching it to make it easy for the coach to hit.

Variation: To make this easier for the coach a Fusion Skyer or 2 Katchets can be used instead.

8 Secrets of cricket fitness that I learned for

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I'll let you into a secret.

I got access to one of the best sport strength and conditioning sites in the world. It's a members only site that contains the expertise of some of the finest strength coaches out there.

As it only cost me a dollar, I'm prepared to reveal all the secrets that lie behind the username and password box to you for nothing.

Showing the show ponies up: The art of tail end batting

Batsmen eh?

All they do is stand in the outfield looking pretty then when it comes to the crunch they get out leaving it up to the tail to win or save the close games.

Where is the justice?

There's none. If you bat in the tail you just have to suck it up and consider yourself an all rounder. Even number 11 has a job to do in the batting order: At best it's to swipe a single off the last ball, at worst it's to bat out for the draw in an epic last wicket stand.

Double you chance of cricketing success by finding your fans

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How many fans do you have?

If you are Kevin Pietersen, Brett Lee or MS Dhoni you might answer with a five (or maybe six) figure number. Which is nice for them, but what has it got to do with making you a better cricketer?

Scientists have worked away to find out the factors that contribute to whether someone succeeds or fails at their goals. The biggest determining factor is your social network.

PitchVision Prize Giveaway

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You may remember I ran a competition recently for several prizes including:

  • A coaching session with England and Surrey batsman Mark Ramprakash
  • A large cricket bag

All the winners have been contacted but several prizes remain unclaimed.

The prizes have now gone back into the pot as unclaimed I can now open them up to a first come first served basis.

Barbells in the winter: The simple guide to off season training for cricket

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What does a cricketer do when the season draws to a close?

If he or she is serious about improving, they probably hit the gym. Let's face it, there is not much else to do when the cricket finishes.

Cricket Show 4: A new presenter

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PitchVision miCoach Cricket Show 004.mp3
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The miCoach Cricket show introduces our Australian connection this week in Kevin Sampath.

Together Kevin and I talk about the differences in club cricket between the UK and Australia related how to making it as a professional cricketer. We also answer your questions on the following topics:

Fielding Drills: Close catching relay game

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Purpose: To practice close catching technique under pressure.

Description: This is a competitive game between two or more teams of any number of players.

Player 1 is the feeder and throws the ball to each player in his team for a close catch. Once each player has caught the ball and returned it cleanly, player 1 runs to the position of player 2. All the other players move along one place so player 4 is now the feeder.

Balance your cricket fitness to prevent injury

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Most people know they should exercise to both improve cricket performance and reduce the risk of injury. The problem is that often exercising can just be reinforcing the imbalances in your body and doing more harm than good.

This study from 1991 shows the risks. Athletes with significant differences in strength and flexibility from one side of the body to the other have a higher risk of injury.

How to captain your team in the field: Choosing the right bowlers

This is part two of a series on how to captain in the field. To go to part one click here. To go back to the introduction click here.