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How Technical Advice
can only Guide You in Your Search for Success

A coach should guide you on a path to match your cricketing personality. The articles in this section will give you a broad range of perspectives from well respected coaches and players.

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Although not directly related to cricket fitness itself. The views and philosophies of these coaches and players may well guide you to more precise fitness goals.

By taking in different view points and opinions you can start self assessing. This enables you to make decisions on your own game which is a valuable process vital for personal development.

Without the power to make decisions on your game you are vulnerable to advice not suitable for you and leaves you dependant on others. You must be able to screen undesirable advice as it will guide your cricket and your motivation in the wrong direction.

Don't get me wrong you need coaches and mentors. However they should only guide you to achieve your goals. If you think a coach will guarantee success you are mistaken. The buck stops with you. The sooner you realise this the quicker you will start achieving.

You have your own unique style and personality that defines you as a person. Just as you have a cricket personality to. Your own playing style and flair is unique and should be encouraged.

I believe a technical coach shouldn't try and guide you technically in a way that doesn't suit your flair and style. Unless it is detrimental to your success or your wellbeing. Such things as injury can be caused by technical flaws especially in bowling. These issues need to be addressed and changed.

I am a big believer in altering a persons technique to suit their cricketing personality.

I also conform to the belief that there is no right or wrong way when it comes to technique and the way you play the game. I would prefer to hear someone say there are better ways to do things than say that is wrong.

No cricket coach I know would guide someone to bowl like Max Walker or to bat like Kepler Wessels.(Hopefully you have seen them on highlight tapes)

However they both played test cricket with great credibility because their techniques weren't changed totally. Their techniques were allowed to suit their cricketing personality and style.

Brian Lara has a huge flamboyant backlift that technically isn't perfect. Yet it suits his cricket personality. If anyone had altered his technical style to not allow him to express himself as he does we may have missed out on some memorable cricket.

Sure it gets him into trouble at times however the positive outcomes far outweigh the negatives.

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You must still be allowed to express yourself as a cricketer by the way you play. If this is curtailed or changed drastically your sports motivation, enjoyment and passion for the game will eventually leave you.

You have the power to decide whether you allow changes to your technique.

Just as all players are unique so are all coaches. It is unfair and short sighted to label a coach as right or wrong, bad or good. They may suit others but not you. It is up to you to find a coach that will guide you in a way that enhances your cricketing personality.

Coaches have style and flair also. If a coaches coaching style doesn't suit you, move on.

Don't label him as wrong, his philosophies are different to yours that's all.

Better still take the initiative and communicate to him which way you want the coach to guide you.

You should be able to tell if a coach is going to be good for you by following these simple steps.

At your initial meeting ask questions that require him to indicate which direction he will guide you. His response will give you a good guide as to what his coaching personality is.

If you feel uneasy or have some negativity from the responses you receive then he may not suit your style.

If you can't relax and be comfortable in the presence of a coach or mentor either take steps to fix it or move on. Your coach is not a dictator and there should be a good communication link between you both.

Remember he should only be a guide for you. Someone to bounce ideas and techniques off and get advice from.

I wouldn't have any problems with you having two coaches to go between. This may give you different perspectives and allow you to pick up techniques that your other coach may not endorse.

I will say it for the last time a coach should only be a guide. Take on board the advice you need and block out the stuff that doesn't suit you.

Take it from someone who has been a player that took on too much advice. I retired from cricket early because I didn't enjoy my cricket. Don't let this happen to you.

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