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[Buzz]

Athers did a webcast today on the times website. One of the questions he was asked about was coaching. His response:

Mike Atherton:
I've never really done any coaching- and apart from throwing balls at my ten year old that's probably how it will remain. I've never really been a believer in it. much better to let people find their way. I think that it is easier for a bad coach to ruin a player than a good one to make him better

Personally I am always keen to listed to what Athers says as it fits with my philosophy of a batsman having to learn his own game - but I also think that sometimes some guidance can act as a catalyst to this!
What do you guys think?

[Nickauger]

My personal view is that ahigh quality coach should put the scaffolding in place to allow players to find their own way. Autocratic coaching is no good to any-one as a) it puts pressure on having to learn at a specific rate, and b) it holds back players who might be very talented but have to conform to timeframes. If you provide an activity which is all about working out hw to play various scenarios then this is far more effective in my view. As far as technical coaching goes, as long as it isn't dangerous, and the outcome is good, then i leave it alone!

[Aswani Cricket]

I would say that Mike Atherton didn't get that much coaching in his school days. He was technically gifted to begin with so that helps to set a great foundation on which to build. Added to that, if you have the intelligence and mental determination, which he has in bucketfuls, then you certainly can learn your own game. This would make a coach's job much easier I would say, and a very good coach can help to adjust minor flaws without changing the natural ability/flair/whatever of the individual.

[Vitas Cricket]

I set frameworks for talented players to find their own way.

Less talented or really young players can benefit from going back to basics, but generally I just tweak things or give small snippets of advice.

[joeljonno]

I think on the whole people will find their way.  There will always be tweaks that could make them better and discussing these may highlight that fact.  Some players will benefit from micro-managing every part of their game, however there are at least two England players (Cook & Anderson) who have changed their action/stance to their detriment. They returned to their 'natural' game and showed immediate improvements.

Juniors will always need coaching, making sure they understand the basics which should give them the platform in their later career.

[Chad]

Interesting, I'm not too sure I agree completely though. I think that a little coaching is needed, and of course, bad coaching can ruin a player, but that's the case with pretty much everything! I find that making them focus on one thing at a time really helps. Giving the odd hint here and there will also help, but at times, you may need a full on coaching session. However, I do think he is right in saying that players do need to find their own way at times, but people can get stumped and frustrated at times, so a little bit of coaching in the area they are struggling in to guide them in the right direction can only do their confidence some good.

[ad2606]

Think athers views are echo'd by the ecb to some degree. Theyre coaching courses now are much less aimed at the technical things and telling people how something should be done and a lot more aimed towards getting players to take responsibility for their own development. When i did my level 2 last year the emphasis was on asking players 'how do you think that went' or 'why do you think that happened' than telling them' do it this way' or 'move your foot here instead' etc

[Manormanic]

There is good coaching and bad coaching - the good is very early in the piece to help ingrain the right basics and then again once the player knows their own game, to tweak and iron out problems.  The bad is most everything in between,...

[charlie15]

I'm not too sure about this, I've forked out for some batting coaching this year after the debacle that was last season.  Although there hasn't been a complete deconstruction of my game I've made a couple of adjustments which after 5 sessions (2 nets and 3 coaching) has really benefited the way I feel.  I now know what I need to work on for the remainder of pre season and certainly feel much better about my batting than I did at any point last season.  Now I just need to keep myself in check and not get ahead of myself!

[m.lalli]

I think it depends on who you are getting your coaching off. My son has been having one 2 ones for his batting over the last 18 months, in my opinion it's certainly made a difference.
But I do understand what Athers is getting at, a coach can guide you but its down to the individual to take it on board and see if works.

[ProCricketer1982]

I believe a coach is most important when someone is young and learning the game. They can be shown and taught the 'right' way. After that it's a matter of a coach using his skill to assess every player and make improvements while not destroying them. We are not pro's so can't do the hours it takes to make major flaw changes.

I still mainly think though it's down to the individual, if they really want to improve they will. Plus confidence.. As it seems with all aspects  in cricket.. If you believe you can bat, if you believe that mr angry bowler actually isn't going to get you and your confident in yourself you will do well. May not play for England but you'll do well.

I've had no coaching (barring the odd comment but nothing proper) and didn't play when I was young so I've only really been learning now for 2 seasons and this is my second winter and I'm improving. Yeah I won't look like the most technically gifted player but so what.. It's not about what you 'look' like (although people do judge on appearances!!), its about runs.. Do you score runs??? Yes or No. I don't play ECB Prem but just under it so it's a respectable standard, and that's without coaching or having played long. Just train hard and work out what your good at, what your bad at, work out ways to eliminate the shots that get you out and play the percentages.. It's surprising how much just that will help, at any level.

[golden duck]

I think that alot of coaches out there probably teach what they have been taught and how they played (for better or for worse).

A good coach needs to be able to adapt his coaching to the players individual traits (Cook and Andreson have been mentioned).

At a guess (having never had any real coaching or done any), I would say that having a guiding hand would have helped me when I was younger, however everything is very ingrained now so I just need to spend time working with what I have got!

[alexhilly1492]

Having taken my level 1, and just helping out with coaching at my home club, i normally coach juniors and when coaching i generally try and leave everything as natural as possible, but tweak little things, as that's how i was coached as a junior and found it easy to pick up the basics and learn the technique behind shots and bowling action (which was changed drastically) , i have always found that your natural instinct with regards technique are much better then whats you will find in a coaching manual.

[Nickauger]

Having taken my level 1, and just helping out with coaching at my home club, i normally coach juniors and when coaching i generally try and leave everything as natural as possible, but tweak little things, as that's how i was coached as a junior and found it easy to pick up the basics and learn the technique behind shots and bowling action (which was changed drastically) , i have always found that your natural instinct with regards technique are much better then whats you will find in a coaching manual.

As long as what they are doing is safe and effective I completely agree with you mate.

[Cover_Drive]

I believe coach is extremely vital for juniors as they teach you the basics which sets the platform for you.

I do agree that a bad coach with his coaching manual can ruin you as a player.