Wrist Spin Coaching

Top Contributors
someblokecalleddave

someblokecalleddave

Well-Known Member
Over on the Spinning threads we often bemoan the fact that Wrist Spin Coaches seem to be as rare as hens teeth, so here I am now wondering what it takes to become a wrist spin coach? Does anyone out there have or had a wrist spin coach and if so, what's his/her background? What do they teach - and how do they teach it and what is it that they emphasise more than anything else when coaching?
 
Dave, looking for something to 'retire into'?

What does it take? For me it needs someone with an enthusiasm and knowledge AND an ability to pass that on in a manner that the player being coached can understand and benefit from it. Do they need qualifications? Probably, but more for the 'how to coach' than the 'what to coach' as having been through ECB level 1, 2 and club coach awards there was no where near the depth of knowledge or enthusiastic debate than we have on here, its just too niche a topic to be given that much emphasis on general coaching courses (dont get me started on keeper coaching).

There are two views on background, personally I would always go for a good coach who knows about leg spin over someone who knows about leg spin and can do a bit of coaching - thats my background and I know of plenty of players and ex-players who have the exact opposite view. I do know a local level 4 coach who is part of the ECB's elite spin programme coaching elite (county standard players) and he was/is a minor counties level player so has played at a fairly high standard before moving into coaching. Equally I know a couple of good coaches who are able to get their message across and can/have developed good leggies without having played or bowled leg spin themselves

As for what they teach, for me it is totally dependent on what the player needed. I had three leg spinners in my district squad this last season and although I only did a little bit of work with each of them, they all had different things to work on - not rocket science and many of the things that are debated on here - front foot pivot, flight, length, drive through crease, standing start drill. The trick of good coaching is to know what and when to bring each 'tool' out of the toolbox, admittedly we will all have our preference as to what 'the ideal' leggie would look like but hopefully we, as coaches, are not looking to create that but rather ensure that the player finds an action and mode of bowling that is effective for them (I would not give you and ChippyBen the same advice for example)
 
I am afraid I cannot help with CA but if anybody is looking for a coach, spin or otherwise, in the Essex area let me know and I can put you in touch with some great guys from ECB L4 to County left arm orthodox player. Whatever takes your fancy!
 
Liz Ward said:
I am afraid I cannot help with CA but if anybody is looking for a coach, spin or otherwise, in the Essex area let me know and I can put you in touch with some great guys from ECB L4 to County left arm orthodox player. Whatever takes your fancy!
Click to expand...

Wrist Spin coaches level 4 in Essex?
 
Ooo Tim Phillips? The SLA? Liz, would you be able to put some detail into this? Essex is a trek but for that level of coaching...
 
Hi Dave,
This summer, my son is doing some volunteer work in India as well as summer school.
I on the other hand, is free in July and thinking of visiting England/WI for
some live cricket. (England vs South Africa Test series or WI vs New Zealand ODI's)
Could also use some leg spin coaching myself.
What do you have in mind?.
 
tcs said:
Hi Dave,
This summer, my son is doing some volunteer work in India as well as summer school.
I on the other hand, is free in July and thinking of visiting England/WI for
some live cricket. (England vs South Africa Test series or WI vs New Zealand ODI's)
Could also use some leg spin coaching myself.
What do you have in mind?.
Click to expand...

Aah, I thought you was already in the UK somewhere and was just going to suggest meeting up and having a bit of bowl and swap ideas if you was down this way and it was feasible? But, just having had a look at your profile you're in the USA! I suppose the suggestion could still stand, but I'd imagine if you were to come over, you'd have a pretty organised and busy intinerary?
 
Hi tcs.

If you are interested in coming over here this year you may want to steer away from London... unless you are keen on the Olympics! :)

If you would like to get into the England v South Africa scene, you may like to attend the YORKSHIRE COUNTY CRICKET CLUB - PRE TEST MATCH DINNER – ENGLAND v SOUTH AFRICA - JULY 31ST 2012 hosted by Richard Pyrah and ARSM in aid of PCA Benevolent Fund with Sky Sports host Rachel Brookes, guest speakers Tim Bresnan (England/ Yorkshire CCC) and Jacques Rudolph (South Africa / Formerly Yorkshire CCC) at Yorkshire Cricket Club.

This is a showcase sports event held at Centenary Pavilion, Elland Road to preview England v South Africa test match. Enjoy 3 course dinner with wine and then be prepared to be bowled over with our famous TV comedian Kevin Connelly who is one of the stars of BBC2's highly acclaimed Dead Ringers series, amazing sports memorabilia in a silent auction and raffles with evening entertainment. There will also be interactive simulator games where up to £1m can be won.

Let me know if you are interested and I will give you the contact details.

Liz
 
Saqlain Mushtaq is in the process of starting up his own cricket Acadamy in uk and has asked for help in terms of ideas.

What would you suggest?

If we get some good suggestions, I shall direct him to this thread!
 
Liz, is he no longer part of the ECB's elite spin bowling coaching set up? What sort of players is Saqlain looking to work with, county age group spinners or a broader range?

I have a fairly limited knowledge of individuals setting up their own coaching academies, but locally they tend to fall into two groups - those based around a single location (generally a private school with good facilities and an on tap group of willing/wealthy parents happy to pay for private coaching) or the 'roving' coach who travels to various locations on a more ad hoc basis (again perhaps with a few bases where regular sessions can be co-ordinated). Saqlain should be able to do either as many facilites would like to be associated with his name and be 'the home of the Saqlain Mushtaq Academy' and equally there would probably be a number of individuals willing to pay good money to have the benefit of his experience, the trick is having the 'right' number of players to work with.

From a personal point of view, I would have thought the multi site option would suit better to promote 'spin camps' (maybe regionally) rather than a more general coaching role in one specific location that would limit the number of potential students. In the short term, perhaps he could look at bolting on to some existing coaching set ups by running some specialist spin work under their banner?
 
One on one coaching. With me. Please. :D but in all seriousness, it would depend on his target audience, as Tony says would it be aimed at county level juniors, minor counties cricketers, ECB league or just anybody?
 
I really think he is looking for inspiration. I am sure he has an idea but would like to know the best target market and how best to provide for it. So far, there appears to be a call for specialist spin coaching!

I suppose the other Academy we are familiar with is Ian Pont's Mavericks... perhaps he should look at something similar where spin is the speciality but also offers pace, batting, fielding, S&C, nutrition etc. What do you think?

Tony, if you are not completely sorted in July, ask him if he is interested!!! He is freelance. ;)
 
Its tricky as there are quite a few 'generalists' out there and if he really wants to capitalise on his name, I would think specialist spin coaching would be his best option in terms of turning that into £s. Yes, I would have thought something akin to Ian Pont's Mavericks, but with a spinning slant, would work although whether it would need to offer all of the other areas in the short term I am not so sure as the cost/benefit of good advice that is probably out there in a different form anyway might not add up. Would he consider doing a 'primer' with David over at Pitchvision?

The main problem I can see him coming up against is 'the establishment', from the outside Ian seems to skirt round the edges of county set ups quite carefully without pinning his flag to any particular mast and I think this would probably be the better option for Saqlain as some of the county coaches can get a bit 'protective' of their charges. Liz, as for July, I think he is way out of our league but thanks for thinking of us
 
Could he not just copy the Terry Jenner model or something along those lines, he could follow the sun round the globe that way! He could be here during our season and anywhere he likes during their season? I'm not sure how Jenners year was organised and how well his events were put together and if it turned a decent profit - it must have done as he came back regular enough?

I suppose it's a case of how would he put the whole thing together. Where would he get work during the week during the main part of the day - I guess that could be at the Counties? Would the demand be there?

Would clubs give him work - would it be too specialised with maybe only a handful or interested people at each club - would the fee expected be too much? Would one session with him result in some kind of outcome that was worthy of the fee?

Has anyone been to The Jenner spin events - did they come away feeling that they had value for money and it did have a beneficial affect on their bowling?
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top