Coaching young cricketers is a demanding role no matter how experienced you are. Youth Cricket Coaching provides an authoritative, practical, one-stop guide for all cricket coaches, teachers and players looking for ways to improve both young players' game and their own coaching methods.
Using clear, jargon-free language, it starts with the fundamental principles and philosophies (such as outlining what makes a good coach and how to communicate with players and their parents), and takes the reader through managing practice sessions with various-sized groups or individuals, season-long planning and how to add value to your club. Coaching on a match day is addressed in a detailed section that focuses on selection, how to maintain a good relationship with the captain, and the importance of allowing players to think for themselves and learn from their mistakes.
Other topics covered include:
- Structuring a coaching session
- Keeping the kids interested and involved
- Finding the balance of instruction vs participation
- Planning and developing season-long practice programmes
- Maintaining interest and participation as players' skill levels develop at different rates
- How to get to the next stage as a coach.
A broad variety of drills are included - all clearly illustrated with detailed photographs to ensure good technique - and broken down into sections on batting, bowling and fielding (including wicket-keeping), making this the must-have book for any youth cricket coach.
About the Author: Rob Maier is an ECB-qualified Level 3 coach. He has coached Middlesex CCC age-group sides (U13 to U16) for the past nine years and has been a coach at Harrow School since 2009. He has been a professional and director of coaching at Chesham CC in Buckinghamshire, and has coached youngsters of all ages and abilities.
John Stern was editor of The Wisden Cricketer magazine from its launch in 2003 to 2011. He writes on cricket for a number of national and international publications including The Times, the Observer and The Cricketer magazine. He is an opening batsman for Wendover CC in Buckinghamshire and had his best ever season in 2011 after a winter of one-to-one sessions with Rob Maier.
