Topic: Kids cricket - not enough 'freestyle' cricket being played in the UK? (Read 3057 times)

Papa · « **on:** April 05, 2013, 10:08:17 AM »

Hi all
Reading this cricinfo article from Harsha Bhogle: http://www.espncricinfo.com/magazine/content/story/628049.html

I was reflecting of my own experiences of kids cricket in the UK. My experience is that, since the 70s and 80s, there is a significant decline in the number of kids playing cricket outside of that organised in schools/clubs. (In fact not just cricket, but I sense that in other leisure activities too, football, tree-climbing, exploring etc). And theer has been a corresponding increase in the number of kids participating in organised cricket.

If that is the case, I�m wondering whether that is a good thing or a bad thing. If there are increased numbers of kids playing �organised� cricket, that should be a good thing, in that there are more kids experiencing coaching, therefore more learning, and therefore better standards of players.

On the other hand, as Harsha writes, perhaps that will limit the amount of self-learning that goes on in kids� development. From what I understand of kids in Pakistan/India, other than at the elite level, most cricket is played outside formal establishments, and is played on the streets and in the ever reducing number of open spaces. That is where the real mental learning goes on, kids experiment and adapt in order to survive on the streets - it's survival of the fittest. Kids learn new ways to fight, kids learn off each other, kids learn through experience. They learn new tricks, such as doosras and ingenious ways to �look after the ball� to aid swing.

I see my own kid grow up with an almost total absence of �freestyle' cricket, with all his playing only in organized colts cricket. Although he is doing well and plays at a decent standard (just below county level) I worry that he will not have the mental faculty to develop to his potential.

Wondering how others in the UK have experienced kids� development and whether you share Harsha�s thoughts that too much regimented learning in the UK could stifle kids� development? And if so, what (if anything?) can be done about it � is it possible for parents/coaches to develop that self-learning aspect of the game in a regimented environment?

Buzz · « **Reply #1 on:** April 05, 2013, 11:14:40 AM »

welcome to the forum, awesome post.

I agree, plus there are a lot of parents who are just using cricket clubs as childcare.

I can't wait to play back garden cricket with my kids!

tim2000s · « **Reply #2 on:** April 05, 2013, 11:37:32 AM »

Interesting point. I remember playing both Back Garden Cricket and School Field cricket as a youngster, but how has demographic migration affected the amount of space within a garden to allow this to take place, and how many school fields still exist? Would teachers in schools object to playground tape ball cricket, and is there even room in most playgrounds?

Maybe one for out blogger to look into?

PedalsMcgrew · « **Reply #3 on:** April 05, 2013, 11:52:50 AM »

I used to play backyard cricket as a kid, I also used to climb trees, ride my bike dangerously and attempt to jump over things, build treehouses, go fishing etc etc. My parents were happy to let me do these things. I think the reason we don't see kids doing so much of this stuff anymore is because parents are so paranoid about their children being abducted and about the whole 'stranger danger' thing. I read somewhere that statistically there is no more chance of your child being abducted now than there was at any point in the past 100 years or so! It's the media and it's hysterical coverage that has meant parents are happy to let their children take the 'safe' option and play on an xbox all day or only go to organised sports where it is perceived as being a safe environment.

My guess is that most kids would love to be let off the leash a lot more than they are these days. Hysterical media coverage and hysterical parents are to blame although it has to be said that one creates the other...

Quality first post by the way!

GarrettJ · « **Reply #4 on:** April 05, 2013, 12:30:21 PM »

Playing backyard cricket or garden cricket on a bumpy field does wonders for your batting as opposed To being brought up on flat astro or rolled covered wickets as a kid. Will never here me complaining about a dodgy track, none worse than the balls I faced with my brother who is 5 years older and used to seem to want to kill me.

You can also bat for hours and it just seemed a lot more fun and allows you to get a little flair in your game ... Similar to those windies batsmen of the 70's, 80's and part of the 90's

Percy · « **Reply #5 on:** April 05, 2013, 03:35:22 PM »

Hi All

I've been following the forum for some time; although I am not a player I have a son who plays a lot and your knowledge has helped us both select bats and equipment - thanks!

This post has prompted me to join. For a while I have been concerned that we coach the natural passion and flair out of players in search of the "perfect cover drive", or similar shot, and in doing so we are in danger of taking the fun out of the game for young players. I have watched my son change from a free playing 9 year old in to a very respectable colts opening batsman - but the flamboyance that was once there has gone.

I am told that getting the basics right will make for a better cricketer in the long term, but I cant help but feel that this approach is in danger of stiffling natural talent and limiting a young players ability to play the unexpected. A bit of "freestyle" in the garden can only be a good thing.

Cheers

Buzz · « **Reply #6 on:** April 05, 2013, 03:47:34 PM »

Teach kids to smash the ball and not to worry how they do it.

As mentioned here before, as long as they hold the bat properly, not much else will matter.

Percy, welcome to the forum, your kids will love all the bargain kit you will be able to buy for them now

ajmw89 · « **Reply #7 on:** April 05, 2013, 03:55:13 PM »

Quote from: Buzz on April 05, 2013, 03:47:34 PM

Teach kids to smash the ball and not to worry how they do it.

As mentioned here before, as long as they hold the bat properly, not much else will matter.

Percy, welcome to the forum, your kids will love all the bargain kit you will be able to buy for them now

For kids, batting should be made simple. Throw out the coaching manuals. Teach them how to hold the bat and then tell them to see ball hit ball. Promote good hand-eye coordination early on and the rest will follow.

Abighugeappl · « **Reply #8 on:** April 05, 2013, 03:57:53 PM »

I'm a teen, and find that cricket is now a drill whereby if you don't do the right thing then you can't succeed. "If you don't do this, then you can't do that" mentality.
If there's no "adventure" in a kids life then there isn't going to be adventure in sports, with no willing to experiment and try new shots or skills

Buzz · « **Reply #9 on:** April 05, 2013, 04:01:17 PM »

Quote from: Abighugeappl on April 05, 2013, 03:57:53 PM

I'm a teen, and find that cricket is now a drill whereby if you don't do the right thing then you can't succeed. "If you don't do this, then you can't do that" mentality.

This is a disaster for your development as a player and your enjoyment of the game.
Tell that to Don Bradman, Shahid Afridi, or AB de Villiars or every player inbetween and you would have stifled they talent and imagination.

Karan62 · « **Reply #10 on:** April 05, 2013, 04:18:46 PM »

Quote from: Abighugeappl on April 05, 2013, 03:57:53 PM

I'm a teen, and find that cricket is now a drill whereby if you don't do the right thing then you can't succeed. "If you don't do this, then you can't do that" mentality.
If there's no "adventure" in a kids life then there isn't going to be adventure in sports, with no willing to experiment and try new shots or skills

As a teen, i dont fully agree with this, yes the cricket i do with structured organisations is very drill-like but if you take the liberty to play cricket in your own time, whenever and wherever you do learn to develop a style,
e.x bowling on harder tracks (my drive) has helped me become stronger and less injury prone as my action is very physically demanding.

and if you do pay the extra dosh and go for a more specialised coach such as ian pont for bowling, he is very reasonable and gives you breadth that allows for a diverse range of techniques as long as they dont injure you.

Percy · « **Reply #11 on:** April 09, 2013, 10:28:41 AM »

Another interesting article on the same subject:
http://www.espncricinfo.com/magazine/content/story/628338.html

yogi206 · « **Reply #12 on:** April 09, 2013, 10:44:44 AM »

What a fantastic post, i got my nephew his first ever bat a size 0, we go out in the back garden and he loves a see ball hit ball game !

Blank Bats · « **Reply #13 on:** April 09, 2013, 02:51:44 PM »

my son is 7 years of age, he will be starting club cricket in a few weeks time for the first time. although i have coaching quals, i have uptil now not bothered with any coaching, all i have concentrated on is hand eye coordination and enjoyment. he loves to whack the ball and he does it with success.

i think sometimes we over complicate things.

Papa · « **Reply #14 on:** April 11, 2013, 10:46:05 AM »

Interesting, so another article espousing the virtues of freestyle cricket and the idea that cricketers need to work things out for themselves. If it was good enough for Bradman....

But seriously, will us parents really turn down coaching? If we can afford it, we will buy group coaching for our kids, and if we can afford one-to-one coaching, we will go for that in addition. If we want our kids to play at the highest standards, will we really leave it to freestyle cricket, and turn down the opportunity of coaching? I find it hard that to believe.

I think we have a culture in the UK here where we believe we can buy anything. Just witness the tuition culture of parents trying to get their kids into selective schools. And the other issue is county trials. Whether it�s true or not, when counties make decisions on which 9/10/11 years old to select for their development programmes, what do we think will impress them? A freestyle hitter or a kid coached to hit the ball according to the book?

So are us parents really ready to ditch coaching of our kids? I really doubt it.

(Thanks for the warm welcome and nice words by the way. Nice to be on this forum. Very impressed (intimidated even!)by the level of knowledge you guys have).

Author Topic: Kids cricket - not enough 'freestyle' cricket being played in the UK? (Read 3057 times)

Papa

Kids cricket - not enough 'freestyle' cricket being played in the UK?

Buzz

Re: Kids cricket - not enough 'freestyle' cricket being played in the UK?

tim2000s

Re: Kids cricket - not enough 'freestyle' cricket being played in the UK?

PedalsMcgrew

Re: Kids cricket - not enough 'freestyle' cricket being played in the UK?

GarrettJ

Re: Kids cricket - not enough 'freestyle' cricket being played in the UK?

Percy

Re: Kids cricket - not enough 'freestyle' cricket being played in the UK?

Buzz

Re: Kids cricket - not enough 'freestyle' cricket being played in the UK?

ajmw89

Re: Kids cricket - not enough 'freestyle' cricket being played in the UK?

Abighugeappl

Re: Kids cricket - not enough 'freestyle' cricket being played in the UK?

Buzz

Re: Kids cricket - not enough 'freestyle' cricket being played in the UK?

Karan62

Re: Kids cricket - not enough 'freestyle' cricket being played in the UK?

Percy

Re: Kids cricket - not enough 'freestyle' cricket being played in the UK?

yogi206

Re: Kids cricket - not enough 'freestyle' cricket being played in the UK?

Blank Bats

Re: Kids cricket - not enough 'freestyle' cricket being played in the UK?

Papa

Re: Kids cricket - not enough 'freestyle' cricket being played in the UK?