miCricketCoach Chat about coaching, fitness, drills, skills and mental training
15 Aug 09 at 08:13
hjones
Posts: 2
Joined: 15 Aug 09
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Helping a 9 yr old
Hi David and all other guys
I have been a subscriber HarrowDrive for a long time, but this is the first time I am writing something. Thanks David, you are doing a wonderful job.
Could you help me with some advice? My son is 9 and plays for a club. He has improved a lot this year and wants to be a professional cricketer. He attends his club’s coaching and county’s development coaching. He is already the best player for the club in his age group. What more could I do to help him?
I have played serious cricket (as opening batsman and fast bowler) for 22 yrs. I can help him, but at the same time, I just want to be his dad. Especially as I can become impatient really quickly. And sometimes I wonder whether I give him too much info at such a young age (or expect too much from him) making things complicated for him.
1. Is he not a bit too young for fitness training?
2. I can’t afford getting private coaches. With my experience, is it better for me to train him regularly?
3. What frequency/hours of training would you advise? Considering he is only 9.
4. What could I do to improve his knowledge of the game and the skills and attitude?
Looking forward to see your responses.
Regards
Harry
Comments
20 Aug 09 at 11:20
David Hinchliffe
Posts: 5540
Joined: 06 Mar 18
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Great question, I'm sure there are many parents with similar questions.
I would say it's very dangerous for a parent to coach his or her own child. You set standards very high and get frustrated quickly!
It would be better in my view to let someone else do the coaching while you provide more parental support: equipment, travel and the like. Find a club with a good coaching setup and let him do his thing.
as to your questions:
Yes he is, get him playing lots of different sports for fitness. When he is much older he can dop specific training.
See above
Age 9 kids can play every day as long as they are enjoying it. At that age its all about going to the park with your mates rather then endless fielding drills.
Let him work it out for himself. he is 9 all he needs is to have fun and everything else will follow.
In my view, kids need to be kids as long as possible. All the rest tends to fall into place if you can do that.
Does that help?
22 Aug 09 at 12:49
hjones
Posts: 2
Joined: 15 Aug 09
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Thanks very much David for the advice. That was really helpful. This is what I wanted to hear from you. He already attends club and county coaching. I give him practice, but is taking it lightly now. Just bowling at different lengths so that he can practice his shots.
I became frustrated and confused when my son started going for district and county matches. There are lots of kids who are being coached by international players for around £40 for an hour. I know someone who has been doing this for two years. His boy is only 9 now and plays really well.
I also wanted to give extra help to my son and was wondering what is best.
thanks again for your response and also for the good work you are doing.
01 Oct 09 at 09:16
Kendra
Posts: 5
Joined: 07 Jul 09
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Hi David, my son is trying out for District Trials for North Hampshire U10's and am wondering what kind of skills they will be looking for. Whilst some I think may be obvious, because they are so young I think some of the more "soft" skills will be equally desirable. My son is a Medium paced Seam bowler; all rounder in terms of fielding/batting/bowling, but he's not a spin bowler or he;s not yet a fast paced bowler. I just want him to be ready mentally and physically so he can do his best. Any hints and tips please??
Offline
Comments
Posts: 5540
Great question, I'm sure there are many parents with similar questions.
I would say it's very dangerous for a parent to coach his or her own child. You set standards very high and get frustrated quickly!
It would be better in my view to let someone else do the coaching while you provide more parental support: equipment, travel and the like. Find a club with a good coaching setup and let him do his thing.
as to your questions:
In my view, kids need to be kids as long as possible. All the rest tends to fall into place if you can do that.
Does that help?
Posts: 2
Thanks very much David for the advice. That was really helpful. This is what I wanted to hear from you. He already attends club and county coaching. I give him practice, but is taking it lightly now. Just bowling at different lengths so that he can practice his shots.
I became frustrated and confused when my son started going for district and county matches. There are lots of kids who are being coached by international players for around £40 for an hour. I know someone who has been doing this for two years. His boy is only 9 now and plays really well.
I also wanted to give extra help to my son and was wondering what is best.
thanks again for your response and also for the good work you are doing.
Posts: 5
Hi David, my son is trying out for District Trials for North Hampshire U10's and am wondering what kind of skills they will be looking for. Whilst some I think may be obvious, because they are so young I think some of the more "soft" skills will be equally desirable. My son is a Medium paced Seam bowler; all rounder in terms of fielding/batting/bowling, but he's not a spin bowler or he;s not yet a fast paced bowler. I just want him to be ready mentally and physically so he can do his best. Any hints and tips please??
Thanks
Kendra