With the temperatures dropping, it doesn’t mean that those involved with cricket should drop what they are doing during the warmer months. Northern Knights coach Grant Bradburn has some great tips for coaches regarding the winter months
Catching up
June is a great time to catch up with everything that could have fallen to the way-side during the season. At the moment Bradburn is working on remedial work and coaching with his players who are still in the area.
“It’s a good time to do any remedial work on technique and it’s the time to do actual coaching because during the season you are just so involved with keeping harmony within the team and ensuring you are getting the best out of an individual and getting the team to perform,” he said. “This is a good time to work on technical coaching and pulling things apart and putting things together better.”
Player fitness
To succeed during the season it’s important to ensure fitness levels remain high during the colder months. Bradburn however has actively encouraged his players to take a break before getting back into tough training.
“We’ve had active rest during May. June is the start of our serious programme looking towards the season,” he said. “It’s about building that base of stamina and strength.”
A mixture of cricket specific training and non-cricket specific training is important and Bradburn believes players should be doing enough training to keep up their fitness and not over doing it. “I’m not a fan of 9am to 5pm training. I’m a big believer of players doing enough, no more, no less,” he said. “They need to be focusing on what they are working on. A balance of fitness, strength and conditioning and time in the nets. But this time of year cricket specific training should be minimal. You’ve got to have a break.”
He’s also a fan of encouraging cricketers to try different sports during the winter months. “Cross coding and playing winter codes like rugby, football, squash and hockey,” he said.
Coach’s fitness
Not only is he encouraging the players to be fit, he is also working on his fitness and knows it’s important for coaches to be on their toes. “I practice what I preach, I’ve always been keen on personal fitness and healthy habits,” he said. “I do play squash, go to the gym, walk and surf through the winter. It’s really important to keep fit and mentally sharp. As we get older it’s not as easy, but it’s something you have to be conscious of and fit into your day.”
