Runmaka as a coaching aid...

It is early days for Runmaka and our original intention was simply to provide a new an unique environment for players to train within.

What is happening is more awareness and imagination around how much more VR is capable of. I have been coaching for many years now on a great variety of levels. I am always looking for ways to a) enhance the experience to broaden the players (and my) thinking and b) ensure sessions are interesting and enjoyable.

Obviously, as coaches we want to see players develop, in all manner of ways, not just technically and witnessing increased performance levels. We are mostly performance judged though – no avoiding it really…

Runmaka on a coaching level is evolving. I have used the VR with one particular young player who had a very limited scoring range. Not a problem, he is very young and exploring. In adding to his range we looked at hitting the ball much straighter, with a full face of the bat. We explored a number of options – drop feeds, bobble feeds, b/machine, sidearm deliveries – isolated skills through top hand separation, bottom hand specific, use of the feet and so on. No change and this continued for several weeks.

I brought Proof of Concept #1 of Runmaka to a session to show the school coach (Feb 2024). After ten minutes coaching the young lad, I decided to use the app. At this stage, it was literally one delivery repeated over and over. I used the headset to provide some clear demonstrations and after a minute or so, passed the headset to the young player for him to try. As he practiced I remained close as it’s a safe environment, observed and offered thoughts. After a minute or so, we decided to move on and return to the session and some sidearm deliveries.

I had no expectations at all. First ball, I threw a half volley and the young player drove the ball straight past me as I had been aiming for. It totally threw me. How could this happen so quickly? This response hadn’t been on my radar, but it suddenly opened up a whole new ball game. What was great was that the young lad continued repeating this skill weekly.

What we need to do now is find out why and how we can maximise / understand this potential so VR can be used most effectively, either through self-learning or guided.

I’m especially enthused that players can train independently as I did when I was young, but also maximise their coaches guidance too. What we need to establish is confidence in VR for both the player and the coach. Proving that VR can replicate ‘real-life’ training will be a huge step.

Baseball and Softball have both investigated positively and it’s time cricket followed suit.



I’m always looking for feedback, so please feel free to add thoughts / ideas to challenge our thinking and force us into making sure we look at as many angles as possible.   

Many thanks and enjoy…