the coach as a facilitator of training

As I've matured as a cricket coach, I've learned to apply myself as a facilitator of training sessions. I haven't looked too much at outcomes, more aiming to ensure that players are simply engaged in a learning environment. Somewhere, players are comfortable asking questions and learning not to be too judgemental - very tough in young cricketers seeking perfection...

It took a few years to truly appreciate that whatever content I introduced to a session, each individual approached it differently. Which made me realise there is no right way. What I did recognise was that I had to step back and open my mind as much as theirs. I had to adapt myself and my approach if I was to reach more players effectively. The same content can be delivered to countless players and each will receive the messages differently. Coaches have to respond to that!

And this is important and maybe the key point. I'm not saying I'm right. It's just what I have worked out myself that engages my way of coaching that I feel works most effectively. Identifying your place in the system is key.

When I was a younger coach, my goal was to see how many professionals could I 'create'. And then I realised I couldn't 'create' any. I could simply support their journey and make sure I wasn't harming that experience. I always knew I would coach fewer players that would become professionals than wouldn't. So what is the goal? What is my goal?

My sessions are geared to facilitating experiences and information that I feel the player(s) is/are ready for now. Do with it what you will. It really doesn't matter one day to the next. As I said to a player last week. "You're a good player when you walk in and you'll be a good player when you walk out. What happens in between is just experience and information". Take on board all messages, but remove more than you keep. A cluttered mind never works.

The greatest rewards for me are very simple. A parent of someone I coached ten years ago, came and spoke to me at a club match I was watching at the end of the 2024 season. She just wanted to say thank you for the time I spent working with her son. For me, that's gold dust as a coach. Every time I bump into someone I used to coach who simply wants to stop and chat gives me a huge sense of satisfaction.

And that's what I hope Runmaka brings too. An environment that facilitates training options. Use it to help establish rhythms. Use it to sense confidence in your ball striking consistency. Use it to develop your thinking. Use it in partnership with your coach. But please don't use it to make judgements. Please don't use it to seek perfection. Enjoy it with an open mind and progress will come...