Kids Cricket

For Coaches, Parents and their Kids

 

How Do We Promote Ambition Without Forcing It Upon Them?

Hi Guys! I recently wrote a cricket article for PitchVision ‘Can you visualise the future of your cricket to help build on the past?’ The article can be found here .

Children don’t have the same ability as adults when it comes to planning for success. I wanted to emphasise the point that we must take a different approach when coaching kids cricket. Here are some tips that may help kids to realise their potential.

Good use of questioning can promote self-learning, problem solving, motivation and communication. An example question might be, “what technique could have been used to stop the ball getting past you?” The answer may have been “the long barrier” but the point is that the player has not been given the answer. Instead the child has taken responsibility for his or her own actions, which is a great way of learning.

Use language to encourage the imagination. Question -”Today we are going to learn how to bowl spin, can you name me a spin bowler?”. Reply –  ”Shane Warne”. The kids are now thinking ‘wow I could be as good as him one day!’.

Make use of visual aids in the changing rooms. Place pictures and quotes from role models on the walls, again this stimulates the imagination.

As parents you should show an interest in what your child has learnt. Kids often get excited about playing cricket and it is important that parents share this enthusiasm and praise achievements where necessary.

Don’t put pressure on a child to succeed! Ambition should could from within the player, if it’s not there then it shouldn’t be forced upon them. If there’s a lack of confidence then work on it and in turn their ambitions may widen.

Kids need plenty of energy when taking part in sport, so be sure to promote a healthy diet.