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General Cricket => Your Cricket => Topic started by: Kai on April 02, 2021, 06:48:39 PM

Title: Advice for a young cricketer in his trials...
Post by: Kai on April 02, 2021, 06:48:39 PM
Hey everyone!

So I have my U-19 trials for my region next Sunday and I am nervous as hell. I have been training once a week in our indoor nets and training almost daily at home with my brother who throws me fast throw downs from 10 yards. I am extremely nervous and was wondering if anyone could give me some tips in what coaches look out for in a trial, general tips etc. I'm an opening batsman and here are some numbers from my last season (playing U-15). I am turning 16 this year so not that experienced... but an ok batsman.

My stats: https://cricclubs.com/SCFLeague/viewPlayer.do?playerId=1703510&clubId=8318

Kai
Title: Re: Advice for a young cricketer in his trials...
Post by: LEACHY48 on April 02, 2021, 07:13:24 PM
Hey Kai.

What are you nervous about?
 
It sounds to me, like fear of failure - fear that you aren’t going to impress at the trials.

Fear of failure is the most common thing that holds back performance.

But, you need to put these trials into context.

Every single player fails, and fails frequently.

Steve Smith, Ab de villers, Matthew Hayden, Virat Kohli, Kumar Sangakkara, Jaques Kallis, Sachin, Lara, Dravid, Mohammad Yousuf, and Younis Kahn, all averaged over 50 in test cricket and batted in the top
4.

Each of those batsman, fail 89.2% of the time they go in to bat. They are the best in the world, and they still only succeed just over 10% of the time.

Once you give into the outcome, that you will make mistakes, and you will be dismissed, it allows you to play your natural game, and it allows you to play with freedom.


Also,

All you can do, is control the controllables.

You cannot control what people think, say, or do. The only thing you can do, is focus on your own performance. What happens after that is beyond your control.

Does it make sense to worry about something beyond your control?

Will worrying about your trials help you to be successful?

Ask yourself both of these last questions, and answer honestly, and it will help calm your nerves, because as soon as you answer no to a question, it’s really hard to carry on with that line of thinking.
Title: Re: Advice for a young cricketer in his trials...
Post by: Kai on April 02, 2021, 07:27:59 PM
Hey Kai.

What are you nervous about?
 
It sounds to me, like fear of failure - fear that you aren’t going to impress at the trials.

Fear of failure is the most common thing that holds back performance.

But, you need to put these trials into context.

Every single player fails, and fails frequently.

Mate you hit the nail on the head cause I was rejected in 2018 which really put me down on confidence. I averaged 19 for almost 2 seasons before I was rejected again last year in March. I think I have come back a lot stronger and I certainly feel happy about my performance last season. But as you said the fear of failure is really clouding my thoughts due to being rejected twice already.
Title: Re: Advice for a young cricketer in his trials...
Post by: LEACHY48 on April 02, 2021, 07:29:53 PM
Mate you hit the nail on the head cause I was rejected in 2018 which really put me down on confidence. I averaged 19 for almost 2 seasons before I was rejected again last year in March. I think I have come back a lot stronger and I certainly feel happy about my performance last season. But as you said the fear of failure is really clouding my thoughts due to being rejected twice already.

Understandable mate.

Are the thoughts you’re currently having going to help you be successful in the trial?

Title: Re: Advice for a young cricketer in his trials...
Post by: Kai on April 02, 2021, 07:35:07 PM
Understandable mate.

Are the thoughts you’re currently having going to help you be successful in the trial?

No, certainly not, I think I should just let the past go and focus on playing my game. Maybe getting in a few more training sessions in could help?
Title: Re: Advice for a young cricketer in his trials...
Post by: LEACHY48 on April 02, 2021, 07:37:24 PM
No, certainly not, I think I should just let the past go and focus on playing my game. Maybe getting in a few more training sessions in could help?

I’m a very very big advocate of the mental side of the game being more important than the technique aspect.

If you feel better training a bit more, then that’s fine, but you’re not going to achieve top level performance consistently, until you overcome your fear of failure. The best way to overcome that fear, is giving in to the outcome as I mentioned before.

Do you have a coach?

Title: Re: Advice for a young cricketer in his trials...
Post by: Kai on April 02, 2021, 07:42:10 PM
I’m a very very big advocate of the mental side of the game being more important than the technique aspect.

If you feel better training a bit more, then that’s fine, but you’re not going to achieve top level performance consistently, until you overcome your fear of failure. The best way to overcome that fear, is giving in to the outcome as I mentioned before.

Do you have a coach?

Yeah I do. Yup I think the fear is a big hindrance and just going out there and playing my natural game should be what I should focus on. Another question, what do coaches look for in a player in a trial?
 
Title: Re: Advice for a young cricketer in his trials...
Post by: LEACHY48 on April 02, 2021, 07:49:29 PM
Yeah I do. Yup I think the fear is a big hindrance and just going out there and playing my natural game should be what I should focus on. Another question, what do coaches look for in a player in a trial?

I would talk this through with your coach, and see what he comes up with regarding fear of failure.

What I look for as a coach in a talented player is:

Coachability
Work ethic
Good foundations

Most importantly for me:

Good mindset

If you are interested in mindset training, look up Gio Colussi and simple batting. His program is incredible and very useful.
Title: Re: Advice for a young cricketer in his trials...
Post by: Chompy9760 on April 02, 2021, 11:56:02 PM
if anyone could give me some tips in what coaches look out for in a trial, general tips etc

1.  Talent and technique.  Coaches are picking a team to win, and at the next level up, those without correct technique get exposed and found out very quickly.
2.  Communication and running between wickets.
3.  For bowlers, the ratio of good balls / bad balls.
4.  Picking a balanced team.  You can't have a team full of patient openers, a team full of biffers, or a team full of leggies.  A good team has a bit of everything, and can adapt.
5.  Energy and skill that players have in the field.  Coaches always want fielders who are keen, attacking, well skilled, with a positive team attitude.
6.  Attentiveness.  Coaches like being eyeballed by players when they are talking to them, and like it even more when a player listens and takes the advice they are given.

If you are 15 trying out in an U19 team, you would have to be extremely good to have a chance against others who most likely have 3 years more experience than you.
All other things being equal, if you have 2 kids available for 1 spot, most coaches pick the older kid first, because the younger kid 'still has next year'.
I'm not being negative, because if you have the full package, you will make the team regardless of age, but be realistic about your chances.

If you haven't made the team in the past, you should have an idea why, and know what you need to improve on.  If you are unclear on that, politely ask the coach what you need to work on.

Just go into the trials with no expectations, relax, smile, do your best and enjoy the experience.  Good luck!
Title: Re: Advice for a young cricketer in his trials...
Post by: Kai on April 03, 2021, 07:24:51 AM
Thanks a lot for the advice everyone! I will keep an eye on these things and just go in and do my best.
Title: Re: Advice for a young cricketer in his trials...
Post by: t2ylo on April 03, 2021, 08:00:19 AM
Good luck mate.

Just be yourself it’s got you this far & trust the fact it will be enough
Title: Re: Advice for a young cricketer in his trials...
Post by: InternalTraining on April 03, 2021, 01:10:12 PM
@Kai ,

Ignore everything you've read thus far if you want to succeed.

You've already done the work that was possible in the allotted time period. You have developed whatever muscle memory you could which is the purpose of training. Now, just relax, watch the ball, and let your instincts do the work.

Your body knows what to do. You trained your muscles and neurology to do that.

Title: Re: Advice for a young cricketer in his trials...
Post by: Kai on April 04, 2021, 07:13:55 AM
Thanks a lot for the advice everyone! I will let you know if I made it or not as soon as the trials are over and I get the results!
Title: Re: Advice for a young cricketer in his trials...
Post by: AJ2014 on April 04, 2021, 07:34:03 AM
Thanks a lot for the advice everyone! I will let you know if I made it or not as soon as the trials are over and I get the results!
Best of luck!
When are your trials?
Title: Re: Advice for a young cricketer in his trials...
Post by: Kai on April 04, 2021, 07:46:17 AM
Best of luck!
When are your trials?

Sunday, April 11th.
Title: Re: Advice for a young cricketer in his trials...
Post by: AJ2014 on April 04, 2021, 07:51:03 AM
Sunday, April 11th.
Thanks
Title: Re: Advice for a young cricketer in his trials...
Post by: Kai on April 11, 2021, 01:38:17 PM
Ok guys so I have an update, I had my trials today. We had a Yo-Yo test and I got 15.4 on it. They said the fitness was fine and then we had the batting trials and I felt like I batted quite well. Played some good cricketing shots and also managed to chase down the target they gave us at the end with 2 balls to spare (they asked us to score 12 runs in one over). Fielding was average with some catches dropped by me but it was ok overall. Should get the results by next Friday. Fingers crossed! 🤞
Title: Re: Advice for a young cricketer in his trials...
Post by: Jimbo on April 11, 2021, 01:49:30 PM
Good luck mate, hope you get the results you're looking for.
Title: Re: Advice for a young cricketer in his trials...
Post by: AJ2014 on April 11, 2021, 01:51:05 PM
Ok guys so I have an update, I had my trials today. We had a Yo-Yo test and I got 15.4 on it. They said the fitness was fine and then we had the batting trials and I felt like I batted quite well. Played some good cricketing shots and also managed to chase down the target they gave us at the end with 2 balls to spare (they asked us to score 12 runs in one over). Fielding was average with some catches dropped by me but it was ok overall. Should get the results by next Friday. Fingers crossed!
Hi Kai, very nice to hear back from you.
Hopefully you'll make it.
It's always vital to understand what's been done well and where one needs to improve.
These days fielding can win it lose games. So please work hard on your fielding, for future and please don't worry about the past.
Keep enjoying, that's even more vital, best wishes.
Title: Re: Advice for a young cricketer in his trials...
Post by: potzy248 on April 11, 2021, 07:57:18 PM
Cool thread and kudos for putting yourself out there.

I coach one of the Provincial U19 sides here in NZ and in all honesty trials mean very little. We have a huge amount of information through Talent ID from their schools and local rep set ups. 99% of the time this takes care of itself. Some people would argue that you will miss some talented players through this process but I am yet to see this happen (I have never had an example of a clearly talented athlete not make a team because they may have been at a small school, out of the city, quiet/shy etc). This process has always worked in my experience. Even with bias feedback you will either get confirmation from other people or you can simply look at the stats (Yes stats are not everything but they always tell a story) and evidence for backup.

I'm not sure how they run things in your area but I would suggest that if you are dominating your competition the selectors will know about it.

Leachy said some great stuff in his first post. Accept nervousness and understand that its part of playing sport. Nerves always pop up when you are out of your comfort zone which is exactly where you want to be if you want to improve.

Good luck.
Title: Re: Advice for a young cricketer in his trials...
Post by: Buzz on April 11, 2021, 09:01:29 PM
15 on the bleep test is a great score!
Well done, I hope you had a good day.
Title: Re: Advice for a young cricketer in his trials...
Post by: Kai on April 12, 2021, 06:32:18 PM
Thank you so much for all the replies and support everyone! Its really nice of everyone to reply back! It was a fantastic experience and I felt very relaxed and just enjoyed my day and I felt like it brought out the better in me. Crosses fingers as the Friday gets closer...
Title: Re: Advice for a young cricketer in his trials...
Post by: Kai on April 12, 2021, 06:34:00 PM
15 on the bleep test is a great score!
Well done, I hope you had a good day.

Thanks a lot Buzz! I wish I pushed harder cause I pulled out knowing I still have 3 hours to play and field and so on so I needed to conserve some energy. But later on, I realised I could have gone a bit more.
Title: Re: Advice for a young cricketer in his trials...
Post by: AJ2014 on April 12, 2021, 07:00:04 PM
Thanks a lot Buzz! I wish I pushed harder cause I pulled out knowing I still have 3 hours to play and field and so on so I needed to conserve some energy. But later on, I realised I could have gone a bit more.
Surely you did the right thing! 👍
Title: Re: Advice for a young cricketer in his trials...
Post by: ProCricketer1982 on April 13, 2021, 09:26:15 AM
15 on the bleep test is a great score!
Well done, I hope you had a good day.


is the yo yo one actually the bleep test ? I thought it was slightly different? the levels look slightly out for the older bleep test anyway
Title: Re: Advice for a young cricketer in his trials...
Post by: Kai on April 13, 2021, 03:38:39 PM
Not too sure... I'm pretty sure I did the Yo-Yo test tho. I think the bleep test doesn't have any rest in between but the Yo-Yo test has something like 5-10 seconds between each round.
Title: Re: Advice for a young cricketer in his trials...
Post by: Buzz on April 13, 2021, 05:03:13 PM
Not too sure... I'm pretty sure I did the Yo-Yo test tho. I think the bleep test doesn't have any rest in between but the Yo-Yo test has something like 5-10 seconds between each round.

Who knew. The bleep test is brutal, with no rest. You just keep running lengths inside the beeps at decreasing times. 1 min per level.
Title: Re: Advice for a young cricketer in his trials...
Post by: ProCricketer1982 on April 13, 2021, 09:07:46 PM
Who knew. The bleep test is brutal, with no rest. You just keep running lengths inside the beeps at decreasing times. 1 min per level.

Lvl 15 for a cricket kids coaching did sound a bit off 😂

Yo yo is different
Title: Re: Advice for a young cricketer in his trials...
Post by: Kai on April 17, 2021, 06:43:08 AM
Hi everyone :D!

Have some fantastic news! I got selected! I received an email on Friday and they said I can start trainings with them next week. I am fairly sure there will be one more round of selections as the applications were almost 60 players and its been narrowed down to 20. After the last round I think they will get it down to 14. The last round should be also next week, on the 24th of April. Really happy that I made the team for the first time as I have been rejected twice in the past!
Title: Re: Advice for a young cricketer in his trials...
Post by: AJ2014 on April 17, 2021, 07:40:50 AM
Hi everyone :D!

Have some fantastic news! I got selected! I received an email on Friday and they said I can start trainings with them next week. I am fairly sure there will be one more round of selections as the applications were almost 60 players and its been narrowed down to 20. After the last round I think they will get it down to 14. The last round should be also next week, on the 24th of April. Really happy that I made the team for the first time as I have been rejected twice in the past!
Excellent! Kai.
Now you know which areas you need to work very hard and get into the 11!
I'm happy for you