Scoring From Behind

Any observer of a match with the modified format of under 10's cricket on the Gold Coast would notice the significant number of runs scored from behind the wicket, and more often than not without the bat.  It is common place to have a wide or wayward delivery go for four runs.  In fact, anything that gets past the keeper usually results in four runs.

This situation is the logical outcome of the modified format as it stands with the combination of undersized fields, reduced player numbers and mandated fielding positions.

Cricket should be a game where there is a natural balance between the bat and the ball.  I believe that this balance is particularly difficult to strike with the less skilful players in the younger ages of junior cricket where outcomes are often (not always, and never solely) determined by the quality or lack of quality of the bowlers.  The modified rules for Under 10's achieves a fair balance, except that a team is excessively disadvantaged for any poor bowling, and outcomes can be determined by which team has the fewer poorly bowled overs on the night.

Prior to the modified rules teams would have a fielder at third man, and sometimes at deep backward square leg, or better, at fine leg (once in a while you would even see a player at long stop where the bowler was particularly quick or the keeper inexperienced).  Setting a field with these positions greatly reduced runs scored from misfielding and poor bowling - arguably characteristics of under 10's cricket.  It restored some balance to the game.

I would recommend that the scoring on anything between the arc between gully and leg gully or third man and fine leg be limited to one run which must be run unless the ball reaches the boundary - this would apply to deliveries that are hit, byes, leg-byes and overthrows.  Within that arc wide and no-ball deliveries should accrue no additional runs, only the established penalties themselves (bearing in mind that the no-ball already receives a free hit).

Don't Give A Toss: Play

When a team shows up without enough players to field a fielding side, there are only a few options available:

• continue (start play)
• reschedule
• forfeit
• wait (delay start of play)
• put them into bat

The first option is quite valid, and may result in either the team that is short on players batting (which is in effect the last option in the list), taking to the field under strength, or forfeiting - all depending on who wins the toss and what they elect to do.  I don't believe that the toss of a coin should determine the outcome of a match, and thus unless forfeiture is off the table then the coin toss should not proceed.

But, it is this last option that we will explore in this brief post.  My view is that the players that are there are there because they want to play cricket, they don't want to go home, and they don't want to wait around.

To maintain some balance and competitiveness in the match the team that is short on players must bat in order to allow more of their players to arrive to play in time for them to take to the field in full or closer to full strength.

What this does, however, is to deny the opposition the chance of batting first which may or may not be advantageous.  As this can have a negative impact on matches, any occurrences of where the toss is not made or cannot be acted on because of an unprepared team should be reported to the governing body who should monitor for rorting, teams that may need assistance, or scheduling issues.

The Power of Positive Thinking

The power of positive thinking can be a great motivational tool for athletes along with other social groups (e.g. school children, employees, employers, ...etc). Therefore 'positive thinking' should be used on a regular basis to help make your day better. 


In the book :59 seconds the author asks "do you want to improve an important aspect of your life? Perhaps lose weight, find your perfect partner, obtain your dream job, or simply be happier? Try this simple exercise: Close your eyes and imagine the new you. Think how great you would look in those close-fitting designer jeans, dating Brad Pitt or Angelina Jolie, sitting in a luxurious leather chair at the top of the corporate ladder, or sipping a pina colada as the warm waves of the Caribbean gently lap your feet."


'However it has been unearthed that if this is done too often, that it can have the effect of mental escapism and may also have the unfortunate effect of leaving you unprepared for the difficulties that crop up on the rocky road to success'


In essence the power of positive thinking can have either a great effect on your life or a bad effect, simply remember that when your are imagining yourself in the future that your also 'remembering' that your future may have a few rough patches that you have to keep fighting through in order to succeed.


I leave you with this quote from William Jennings Bryan- 'Destiny is not a matter of chance; it is a matter of choice. It is not a thing to be waited for; it is a thing to be achieved'.


And this one from Mary Kay Ash- 'Don't limit yourself. Many people limit themselves to what they think they can do. You can go as far as you mind lets you. What you believe, you can achieve. Work hard for your future'. 


Link:
http://richardwiseman.wordpress.com/59-seconds-think-a-little-change-a-lot/

*Whilst suggesting this book is a good idea to buy, I just want to be clear that I  do not have any  relationship or connection, financial or otherwise, with the author or this book*

Making a Meal of Performance

Good nutrition is an essential part of playing sport.  Finding the right balance between energy, nutrients and flavour can often be hard enough.  Knowing what that balance should be in relation to need makes it all the more difficult.

In this post I want to give you one of the meals that I like to prepare for Millsy 12 or more hours before he plays in a match or has a big training day, and I'll make a few suggestions that will allow it to be tweaked for variety or to suit particular tastes.

Burritos - not the most obvious choice.

The basic ingredients are:

• 500g of turkey mince - low cost, lean, and high in protein.  Chicken or beef mince are perfectly fine alternatives.
• 1 tin of refried beans or a three or four bean mix (if this is used then lightly mash the beans before use, this is a healthier but not quite as tasty option)
• 1 cup of uncooked rice, brown is preferred
• 1 onion, diced, medium or large, yellow or Spanish
• Tortillas - enough for two meals
• 2 tablespoons of olive oil
• Mexican chilli powder - 1 to 2 teaspoons
• salt
• ground pepper (white will be best)

You may omit one of the meat, rice or beans without substantially detracting from the dish.

Optional ingredients

• 1 tin of chopped tomatoes or several fresh tomatoes
• 1-3 green, yellow or red capsicum - a variety of colour is good
• 1 tin of sweet corn kernels or one cob of sweet corn
• Some more onion
• avocados (2 or more)
• limes (highly recommended!)
• 1-2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 packet of rocket, baby spinach, or rocket and baby spinach
• cumin seeds
• chillies (red, green, jalapeños)
• coriander (cilantro)
• cheese - cheddar, mozzarella or a combination, grated

A note on the optional ingredients: while these are optional, I would highly recommend most if not all of these be used as they are mainly used to make two accompaniments which server to lighten what is an otherwise heavy meal.

You will also need:

• a large volume frying pan or a heavy bottomed pot
• a rice cooker or small pot (if rice is used)
• a baking tin or dish

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Start by cooking the rice in a rice cooker (if you are using a time of tomatoes then use the juice from the tin as part of the liquid for cooking the rice in) or by the absorption method (simply, add 1.5x volume of water as rice to a pot and simmer covered until the water is absorbed).

Once the rice is started heat your frying pan or pot on a medium heat, add the oil, cumin, mince, onion and a clove of garlic.  Stir in a pinch of salt, ground pepper and the Mexican chilli powder.  Stir and break the mince up so that it is in small/fine pieces - this will help the texture.

Place the tortillas in a hot oven to warm - remove from the packaging and manufacturers wrapping and wrap with aluminium foil, or wait until after the rice and beans have been mixed to microwave as per the manufacturers instructions.

When the meat has cooked add in the rice and the beans to the frying pan, cover and remove from the heat. Wait several minutes for the residual heat to warm up the beans, remove the cover and gently mix the rice and beans in.  It's okay if the rice is not added until this point.  Frankly, at this point this will look like something to feed the dog.

One at a time, remove a warm tortilla, add several large spoonfuls of the mince, rice & beans mixture.  Add a small handful of cheese, and your rocket or spinach.  Wrap your tortilla and place seam down in a baking tin or dish.  If cheese was not used in the filling then some may be sprinkled on the top.  Place the baking tin in a pre-heated 180 - 200 degree oven for about ten to fifteen minutes.

While the burritos are in the oven the accompaniments can be made, or these can be made in advance.  Essentially, the optional ingredients can make a salsa and/or guacamole - there are so many variations of salsa in particular that the list of ingredients is rather secondary.

Guacamole

Take the flesh from the avocados, squeeze the juice from a lime, add a small pinch of salt and ground pepper (white), add a pinch of Mexican chilli powder or very finely diced fresh chillies to taste.  Mash the avocado and whip with a fork for a minute or two to add some lightness.

You may then mix in some very finely minced onion, tomato, garlic and coriander, but these are really not necessary, and besides, you might use those in a salsa.

Salsa

Dice your onion, capsicum and tomato into similar size small pieces.

Add coriander, fresh chillies, a pinch of salt and ground (white) pepper, all to taste
Add in sweet corn.

Add in the juice of the remaining lime.
Add a dash of a light vegetable oil (e.g. extra virgin olive oil, grapeseed oil).

Stir and allow to macerate.

Serving

The burritos are served on a plate and may be topped with the salsa and/or guacamole, or these may be served on the side.  A squeeze of fresh lime juice, some fresh coriander, or chopped chillies are a good finishing touch.

I would advise against using sour cream or a manufactured salsa (as these are of the cooked variety and therefore tend to be rich) as they add to the heaviness of the meal.

Leftovers
The guacamole can be spread on bread or toast, and the salsa can be put on top of toasted bread à la brushcetta.

Coaching - at training

It is important when coaching a group of young players to have a training plan for each training session.

The training plan should seek to focus on problem or weak areas, whilst providing training in all aspects of cricket.  As a coach you will need to keep the players engaged - and to do that you will need to keep them active and involved, and it doesn't hurt to get their buy in first.

Buy in

Starting with the buy in, this can be obtained by having a quick chat after each match asking the players (not telling them, not asking or even involving the parents) what went well, what not so well, and what they think they need to work on at the next training session.  If you do that, and focus your next training session on the area the team has identified you will have your buy in, and much more willing and compliant group.

High involvement activities

When running training drills look at how each drill will function, how long each drill takes, and how many players will participate at the one time.  From this you can estimate the amount of interaction for each player - and that's important to manage if you want to keep them engaged.  Knowing the amount of interaction per player, you can look at adjusting the drill or the number of players participating so that a higher level of interaction is achieved.

Higher rates of involvement will lead to increased benefit from the training, a greater level of satisfaction, and better discipline.

For example:

One basic form of a catching drill is to have the players form a line.  A ball is tossed up and hit in the air for  the first player in the line, they catch or attempt to catch the ball and throw the ball back to the coach.

This will take on average six to ten seconds for each player.  With twelve players each player will get an opportunity to catch every 1.2 to 2 minutes, that's between 30 and 50 times in an hour or put another way a total of 5 minutes of active involvement in an hour of training.

This can be improved if you can have someone help catch the returned balls and feed them to you,  if you have more than one ball, and if you have an additional person to hit the balls.  There are limits to how much this form of a drill can be improved, just like there are limits to how much players can contend with.

A ratio of one trainer to three players or one trainer, one assistant and four players is probably the upper boundary for this type of a drill.

My suggestions

Break the training up into whole of team activities, group activities (3 to 6 players), and individual coaching.  The group activities can be done by dividing the team up into groups and each group performs the same drill or a circuit where either the drill or group rotates.  Individuals may then be taken from the group drills to work on specific skill areas or techniques.

Get some people to help so that you can run several group drills simultaneously - but don't get just anyone.

Vary the drills - don't stick with any drill for too long, don't always use the same drills.

Have a library of drills to draw on.  Make up some of your own, even bring some in from other sports - at the younger ages in junior cricket developing hand-eye coordination, and general coordination is a big part of the learning curve.

Don't be afraid to be unconventional - there's nothing wrong with grabbing a few footy or rugby balls and having the players pair off and run around the field passing the ball back and forth, or kicking the balls high up for them to catch.  The first achieves a degree of exercise and hand-eye coordination (and full involvement), while the second works on both hand-eye coordination and positioning for high catches.

A Call To Modify The Rules For Under 10s

Here on the Queensland Gold Coast junior cricket plays by a modified rule set, as is no-doubt the case in many other places.  As the age group increases the rule modifications diminish such that the under 10s have the most heavily modified set of rules, and the under 17s have very few modifications at all.

In the past several years the modifications for the under 10s has increased and now includes a a definition of a no-ball extends to a ball that does not pitch on the pitch, a free hit forward of the wicket from a cone for a no-ball, runs scored off of a no-ball are the extra and any runs scored from the bat.

The changes also reduce the number of players on a team to eight (some caveats apply) and stipulate field placement for those players.

I am broadly supportive of these rules, and I believe the changes around the no-ball do much to balance play when bowlers are still trying to learn the basics of their art.

However, I do believe that there is justification for a further, simple, tweaking of the rules which is in some ways an extension of the intent of the no-ball rule where the free hit from the cone must be hit forward of the wicket.  That rule is there because there are no fielders behind the wicket except for the wicket keeper, and so any hit behind the wicket is an almost-certain boundary.

The same goes for leg-byes and byes - with the reduced field size most byes and leg-byes will quickly run to the short boundary for four.

If the first few matches of the season are anything to go by, somewhere in the vicinity of a quarter to a third (I am giving benefit of the doubt and estimating on what I feel is the low side) of all runs scored in a game are scored behind the wicket with the vast majority of those from byes resulting from a wayward delivery or a miss from an inexperienced keeper.

To achieve a better balance and a fairer outcome I would like to see the rules about team size and field placement enhanced by a change that limits the number of runs behind the wicket to those run and a boundary from any reason restricted to one run.

You may download a copy of the current rules for junior cricket on the Gold Coast from here.

Marking The Field

In junior cricket matches are often played on multi-purpose fields in school grounds and parks.  Without use of the dedicated fields that senior grades play on, the juniors are left to mark their fields before start of play - a responsibility of the home team.

In an earlier post I discussed how to determine the size of the field and touched on how to mark the field.  In this post I am going to expand on that field marking.

The field is typically marked with cones instead of a rope, paint or chalk line, or a fence, and this means that the curved portions are not curves but a series of angled lines - often fairly coarse due to the low number of suitable markers available.

Note: umpires should adjudge boundaries based on a straight line between the boundary markers if those markers are not continuous (refer to Laws of Cricket: Law 19 (Boundaries), and players should be advised of this to reduce confusion, dissent, disappointment and inaccurate claims of catches (refer to Laws of Cricket: Law 32 (Caught)).

Field markings with cones - left side has an odd number, right an even number

Boundary markers should be placed on each side and parallel to the pitch, one cone opposite to each wicket and one mid-way between the length of the pitch - that's the first six cones.  Ensure that the cones form a line with the wickets.  the remaining cones are spaced evenly about the arcs of the field - the arcs which are circumscribed (defined) by the rope fixed on one end to where middle stump goes, and marked on the other end with the desired boundary distance.  Walk the arc placing the cones at the desired distance.

Note: Why lines and not the arc?  It is mentally quicker and more accurate to draw a line between two points and determine on which side of that line a third point falls on than to infer the shape of a section of arc from two points as that requires a much larger amount of the arc to be taken in to give the shape of the section before focus then reverts to the smaller section and the third point in question - a decision made this way is unlikely to be very accurate.

I'm going to give you two ways of determining the spacing between the cones - one takes a bit more maths, but if you're quick with the maths it will be quicker than the other method.  Either way you chose, it does not need to be exact.  Of course, the third method is to just get on with it.

Method 1 (more maths)
The two arcs on the ends of the field form a circle, and we're going to use that fact and a little rounding to give us something that's close enough to get on with the work at hand.

Where P is the number of paces between cones, B is the boundary distance, C is the number of cones available, and S is your average step in meters.

Example

With some realistic numbers thrown in to our example above we can see that we should have about ten paces between the cones.

Method 2 (more measuring)
Walk the arc on one side of the field, counting the number of steps.  Divide that number by half the number of cones (minus two).  That should give you the number of steps between cones.

Why bother?
For anyone that has made it this far, you would be doing well to question my sanity ... and I'm not going to claim that I am.  But still, why bother with this, why make it so hard?

Maybe I have a mild form of OCD, I cannot set the field in under thirty minutes by eye.  I agonise over the spacing and placement of the cones.  I check and adjust, compare alignment, observe the shape, fiddle and in general obsess over it.

But it's also about creating a good ground for the players.  We often like to think that they don't really care about it, that they don't notice or that it doesn't make any difference.  It does, though.  It matters to the players that someone is willing to invest the time and care into their experience, and they respect that - and they respect the boundary.  And it matters to the umpires.