To first understand what “rotating strike” is we need to put it into perspective. Since 2015 what is the average dot ball percentage of international teams in One Day International Cricket? Having asked this question to a multitude of players and coaches at various levels,I am always amazed by the range of answers that this evokes. As an exercise, try it with the individuals and the teams you coach.

England have the lowest dot ball percentage of any team (48%) and Zimbabwe and Afghanistan the Highest (57,5%). This equates to between 144 and 172 balls on average per 50 over innings. Due to the Powerplay restrictions at various times of the innings, the dot ball percentages may differ. For example,in 2018, Bangladesh spinner, Shakib Al Hasan has bowled 70 % dot balls in Powerplay One, compared with 35 % in the last Powerplay. With this in mind, coaches should make provisions for this at practice and discuss game plans which are in line with these norms.

Since the 2015 World Cup, only one player in the world has an overall dot ball percentage lower than 40 %, can you guess who it is? The answer is AB De Villiers with 37,3 %. Of those close to him many are late middle order batsman such as Jos Buttler and David Miller. King Kohli, the best ODI batsman in the world sits at 43,2. The bell curve lands with a majority of top players slightly below or above 50 %. It goes without saying that not all batsmen are created equal. Some are better with manipulating the ball into space whilst others strength involves finding or clearing the boundary and this should be considered when formulating a game plan.

One effective practice session for the illustration of this is to set up a particular field (perhaps for the middle overs 11-40) and divide the balls into 10 ball brackets. The player then attempts to play a maximum of 5 dot balls (50%). A progression on this may be to add one boundary option to the equation as well as perhaps the addition of scoring doubles rather than only singles. This will equate to a healthy strike rate in game play rather and give the player a sense of comfort when facing dot balls with the knowledge that they have the mental know how to manage the pressure, the tactical ability to choose the appropriate options and the skill execution control the ball into the spaces for runs.

“Rotating the strike” is a very important skill to learn and teach players of all levels especially when arriving at the crease and during the getting in phase. There is a whole module dedicated to this topic in Coach Ed powered by Gary Kirsten Cricket involving drills and strategies for individuals and teams to improve this aspect of the game. For more details see www.garykirsten.com

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“Do not seek to follow in the footsteps of the wise, seek what they sought” – Matsuo Basho

The 17^th century Japanese poet’s words reverberate in my head, as I watch a group of up and coming professional cricketers interact with some of the world’s best during a camp I attended recently. Top international cricketers, at the height of their powers are present as they attempt to answer curious questions and relay timeless stories, advice and tips in their areas of expertise. Whilst these contain golden nuggets of information, I wonder if this priceless experience is applicable for these players at their stage of development. Should we be rather focusing on what were the seedlings at the origin on this path of mastery in an attempt to bridge the gap between then and now? Is this information helpful for all players or just some?

I enquired with one of the specialists, a prominent international fast bowler as to what he was “seeking” at a young age that enabled him to become one of the modern greats. His answer, “consistency”, this was expanded on with phrases such as “knowing my action” and “trusting my action”. This is an insight which most gloss over in the search for the magical moment of enlightenment. The simplicity of this informs all of his drill work, mental framework and tactics and has done so for years.

In order to climb the ladder of professional cricket, young players need to possess an enquiring mind in learning combined with a tight filter to sift out all the information they receive. A developing player may already have been bombarded with heaps of technical and tactical advice at a young age from various stakeholders. Distinguishing between these is a balancing act and a challenging task which often creates extreme dissonance in a players’ mind especially if contradictory. In addition to this, in the modern era of social media and armchair critics how does one decode the noise from the signal?

A player understanding his or her identity and philosophy can be challenging especially with limited experiences shaping it. This is where coaches play a pivotal role in exploring the authenticity of each player to help guide, challenge and support them throughout their journey of self-discovery. By constantly stretching their limits within a “safe” environment which rewards ownership, a player can build capacity to extend themselves whilst staying true to the core.

To quote James Clear, “Mastery requires both impatience and patience. The impatience to have a bias towards action, to not waste time and to work with a sense of urgency each day and patience to delay gratification, to wait for actions to accumulate and to trust the process.” Sitting on this see-saw of development is a difficult task for players and coaches and there is no cookie-cutter method for success, but rather one which should be tailor made for the individual.

Those before us spread great knowledge and experience, so that we can stand on the shoulders of giants. However, it is in “seeking what they sought” and in doing so finding our own voice that the inner wisdom and potential is revealed.

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Prior to this week, my rugby background included a few games of touch at break time, cheering on the Red school heroes from the sideline, channel flicking through some highlights and passing comments from the couch. I was in for a perspective shift as I joined the Melbourne Rebels on an all access pass for a week prior to their game against the Stormers at Newlands. I have always been fascinated about the workings of high performance environments across sports and industries and this experience was an eye opener into the culture and operations of one of Australia’s up and coming rugby franchises.

I was connected with Rebels Head Coach Dave Wessels through a mutual friend and colleague Tom Dawson Squibb who has worked extensively with both of us personally and in our professional environments. Dave’s coaching journey began at Rondebosch Boys High School in Cape Town whilst consulting to the Stormers defense. He was appointed as assistant coach of his alma mater, UCT, under Kevin Foote from 2009 to 2011 during their meteoric rise to the title of the Varsity Cup. Dave’s journey continued under Jake White at the Brumbies in Australia as a defensive consultant catapulting him to the assistant post at the Western Force, where after 3 years, he was appointed Head Coach. Following the exclusion of the Force from Super Rugby, Dave was appointed Coach of the Melbourne Rebels.

This background is relevant to understand a few initial observations about the environment. Firstly, it is distinctly apparent that he has “cut his teeth” in the game of rugby and coaching from a young age, the fertile grounds on which many world class coaches across sports have started. Secondly, the relationship he shares with his management staff is deep. Not only have they already walked a road together which has strengthened the bond, but there is genuine respect, care and trust across the coaching group. Remarkably, during my time with the team, not once did Dave walk through a door or get off a bus without thanking the person responsible.

My first contact with the team was to sit in on the review of the game against the Bulls which happened the previous week. I’m in over my head! The players and coaches are speaking a language which resembles English, but one that is quite clearly unique and authentic to this environment. The fluency which these words flow off the tongue is followed by the studious nods of heads and pens on paper as the players engage in the detail of the previous match reflecting and drawing out the learnings supplemented by visual representations on the big screen. This I didn’t expect, these players are far from rugby brutes, they are rugby smarts discussing the intricacies of formations and phases – something which I would gain a keen appreciation for as the week went on.

Monday morning meetings complete and we head off to the training ground, I am looking forward to seeing some of these moves in action. To my surprise, these will not be “run” today, but rather “walked” as part of a team clarity session for the week ahead. All calls, set plays and formations are explained, taught, coached and demonstrated by a coaching staff that have their finger on the pulse of detail. In a game where a metre can mean the difference between a game winning try, this is necessary.

Day two, I am assured some action packed training and at first glance the energy displayed by the coaching group has ramped up a few notches as an extensive warm up begins. Next, Cameras on, Drones raised and away we go! For the next 60 minutes I am treated to what can only be described as a choreography of practice. Specific drills followed by unstructured play, one after the next interspersed with brief key coaching points and an intensity which I have not seen in another sporting environment. Every second of the practice is being accounted for by Will Markwick, the progressive Head of Performance, and is being communicated like a symphonic conductor via ear pieces to all the coaches. The players respond with corresponding effort and skill as this flow of energy permeates everyone at the facility.

As impressive as this practice was to witness, the post practice huddle is what really stands out! Local kids from the community have come to watch the training and are invited into the circle to share in the review of the training. What an experience that must be for these 10 year olds looking up to their heroes. However impressive, it is the behaviour which takes place after this though which catches my eye. Throughout the practice, some student athletes from UCT Ikey Tigers have been running drills with the team, tackling like men possessed and adding competition to the play. Every one of these players is thanked individually by each player and coach for their contribution and are welcomed back for tomorrows session. Coming from a sport in which thrower’s and net bowler’s contribution are so often overlooked this is a note to self.

Upon arrival at the hotel the next day, I am greeted by a sight that I have very rarely seen in a team room. Individual players viewing footage on laptop screens, huddles of positional players drawing out session plans, coaches with computers having “one on ones” with specific players using footage of practice the previous day. This is the planning being done for this afternoon’s sessions. The team has decided on the practice drills to be done today, it seems this phase of preparation for the game on Friday is player-lead. In this small space it is apparent to see the connectedness of the group, it seems all players have the buy in to the system of play and they need to. Rugby is such an integrated sport between backs and forwards, wings and props. I was first exposed to a concept a while back of “Total Football” which is a strategy which revolutionalised soccer in the 1970s which relies on possession of the ball where players have no definite position whilst working as a unit on defense and attack. Easily summed up by Johan Cryuff “Everyone could play everywhere”. These peer learning sessions were certainly what I had in mind.

Another session of high intensity training followed and was supplemented with skill specific practice. The players really do go to pain staking lengths to hone their craft, this is often the element which the public don’t see. The extra time and detail taken to fine tune their preparation and accuracy doesn’t always relate into performance on match day but these professionals stick to their processes with high standards.

The following day a detour was taken by the bus which arrived at UCT rugby club for a team session which allowed a window into the culture of this team. With both Dave and Kevin’s roots in the soil at UCT this provided an opportunity for both players and coaches to share in some past, present and future. The genuine care for each other was palpable in the room and no doubt there is a connection with this group far deeper than the game of rugby. A Captain’s run at Newlands and we are all set to go for the fixture of the week.

Match day! A different feel in the camp. The tone of the day seems to be focused and controlled. With a long wait until the afternoon kick off, a few “walk-throughs” and bit of light hearted ball drills take place in a conference hall down the road from the hotel. This gives me an opportunity to pick the brain of the coaches and enter into discussing their philosophies a bit deeper, this is fascinating. Throughout the week, all the coaches have been approachable, curious and welcoming showing that they are not only preaching development but living it themselves.

Warm ups complete and it is time for the main event! Entering the coaches’ box, I am amazed to see the level of technology used in assessing games in real time and the productive conversations which happen between the box and bench. There is an intensity and clarity to these exchanges. The Rebels are behind on the scoreboard throughout much of the game. Notably, Dave is solutions focused and proactive in his approach with suggestions from analysts and assistant coaches. There is no doubt he knows what is like to be advising from the chair next to him and shows an empathy towards his support staff.

Unfortunately, despite great effort, the Rebels end on the losing end against the home side. The mood is one of disappointment and introspection. Upon reflection, it seems the execution on the day was not as accurate as is capable from this group. A few critical errors at important moments in the game wrestled the momentum away on too many occasions. The somber emotions are lifted by keeping an eye on improvement and moving forward in the competition as well as not passing over celebrations of milestones and performances of specific individuals. Thanks are also given to those from the security personnel to the physios for their contribution throughout the week with great gratitude.

It must be said that I for one have gained an incredible appreciation for the ability and skills of the players, not to mention what their bodies go through week in and week out. Their professionalism was outstanding from the team room to the practice field. The way in which they treat their craft, their staff and little known outsiders such as myself show that these men are more than just great rugby players.

As for the staff, this experience has raised the bar in terms of cohesion, communication and excellence from the “team of teams”. Great things can be accomplished when everyone chips “all-in” to a common cause and does their jobs with pride. There is no doubt they will be looking for areas of improvement for the players this week, but would have also taken some lessons on board themselves. Relationships in this organization are of utmost importance and they will grow stronger through experiences such as the week in Cape Town. As the season rolls on, I wish this group all the best and thank them for opening up their sacred circle and including me on their re-love-ution.

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How you do small things, is how you do all things

The GKC High Performance Academy which runs in Cape Town from November to February with aspiring and current first class cricketers from around the world has just come to an end. Upon its completion, it was time to take stock and reflect on the achievements and improvements made by each player and the group as a whole. There are various moving parts to this program being a successful process and taking players games to the next level, whether that be breaking into the first class system or pushing for higher honours on the international stage. Through a combination of a variety of experiences both on and off the field and intervention with some of the best players and coaches in the world these players certainly levelled up! But what can this teach us about High performance? Simply put it distills into one phrase, how you do small things is how you do all things!

Starting with the coaches, The GKC brings together a mix of staff whom are highly skilled in their respective spheres of influence and by combining the best thinking of all involved create a program which is seamless in its planning, communication and execution. The addition of specialist players and coaches to bolster the support the players receive is truly outstanding. At any given time, there can more than 7 coaches serving the players across a variety of tasks from throw downs to keeping practice to target bowling. Watching this coaching team operate is extraordinary in terms of their engagement, work rate and expertise but this is not even the remarkable aspect. What is special, is their level of detail to everything they do, especially the SMALL things. The players soon learn that in the intentionally created performance environment that the standards of excellence which are promoted are not only spoken of but are reinforced by action of the coaches consistently.

This places the player in a position to rise to the challenges with the support of people whom have their best interests at heart and what an effort they gave! It was with admiration and inspiration that I watched this group of young men embrace every experience that was thrown their way. This open minded approach and full engagement in every task was a hallmark of the 2018 HPA intake. Whether that be a steamy early morning mountain hike or the repetitive volume of balls struck in an attempt to ingrain a technical position, the attitude of the players was exceptional. Over the 4 months, I observed habits become embedded both on and off the field. The incremental small improvements made every day certainly add up with compound interest of time. It was then not surprising to see the conditioning results of a particular individual increase by 720 meters on the dreaded Yoyo test! What makes this story even more heartwarming was that his leadership inspired his fellow team mates to more awareness in their lifestyle and to greater heights in their fitness as he was not the only one to have that significant shift. When asking him what he attributed this to, he replied with our Performance specialist’s famous words…. “I plus-ed 1every day!”

The GKC HPA was full of learning for both coaches and players and it was a privilege to operate within a space which grows all individuals to be the best versions of themselves and adds value to those involved. Next year’s program will strive to be even better as we aim to do ALL things by paying attention to the SMALL things.

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The course titled Leadership and Coaching in Cricket by Gary Kirsten can be accessed via www.garykirsten.com at a discounted rate and is in partnership with leading web-based learning portal Udemy.

“With most businesses gearing up for year-end breaks, this is the perfect time for people to invest in their staff leadership training as anyone can access the information conveniently at their own pace from anywhere in the world and then be ready to tackle 2018 rejuvenated with fresh leadership thinking and ideas,” commented Gary Kirsten.

The information is easily accessible and consists of eight supplementary resources, full-time access, 1-hours’ worth of on demand video as well as access on mobile, desktop and other digital platforms.

As a cricket player Kirsten was one of the most successful international cricketers for over a decade. Today he is regarded as one of the world’s leading coaches. Designed by Kirsten himself, the course presents his personal experiences as the head coach of the ICC World Cup winning Team India as well as his tenure as head coach of the Proteas.

“What Gary Kirsten reveals about coaching in cricket, echoes my experience about leadership in a big corporate,” commented Michael Jordaan, former CEO: First National Bank.

“The purpose of this course is to share some of the detail that goes into leading an international cricket team, some of my own experiences and to provide insight into the inner workings of these teams in order to discover your personal leadership style, how to set effective goals for the future and develop a winning culture in your business environment,” added Kirsten.

Having worked with some of the greatest players of all time like Sachin Tendulkar, Jacques Kallis, Virat Kohli and AB de Villiers, Kirsten is well versed in the practice of getting the best out of his team members.

“People that sign up will also gain insight into why coaches and managers of sports team’s value culture over everything else and the distinct parallels between leading sports teams and leading business teams,” Kirsten said.

He continued, “The course also includes how to deal with difficult individuals, how to give effective feedback and how to build trust within a team environment – all of these are of course also vital skills for businesses across the spectrum from entrepreneurs to large corporate organisations.”

“It is an opportunity to learn how to lead people most effectively and how to build a solid base for consistent performance,” he concluded.

For more information and a discounted course rate please visit the Gary Kirsten website: https://garykirsten.com/online-courses/

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Coaches Ed Kilbee, Oscar Nauhaus have settled in well at their base at the state of the art Zayed Cricket Academy.

The project is part of GKC’s drive to grow the game around the world and establish an international footprint.

Nauhaus says they were blown away by the ultra-modern city and its facilities.

“It really has open ended potential, the Sheikh Zayed stadium has two main cricket ovals, four sand pitches and a net set up suitable for international teams. When you first arrive its difficult not to dream or envisage a bright cricket future in Abu Dhabi,” Nauhaus said.

Their first port of call in the Emirate was to assess the strengths of players at a club boasting over 250 members.

“It was important for us to gain an understanding of the environment so we could plot a way forward,” Nauhaus said.

He continued, “Within a few days we realised that our initial thoughts and ideas all require time.  The key to engaging with the environment and breaking habit is to slowly introduce change. Change cannot be implemented without trust and our entire process was based on trust. We trusted the coaches and administration and they began to trust us.”

Once they found their feet at the academy the duo began to implement GKC’s innovative training drills.

“Training sessions have taken on a new dimension, the quality and standard of practice has improved. Their enthusiasm and energy cannot be coached but their skill departments were lacking and over time we have seen a shift in their skills,” he said.

“We have conducted coaching education sessions, created more opportunities for practice, created opportunities for match play and overall improved the user experience. Technological aid has been introduced to compliment the coaching knowledge,” Nauhaus concluded.

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In a coach’s vocabulary, the word “drill” rolls off the tongue with fluency. Drills are often searched for by coaches looking to show competence and confidence at their training sessions to add to the library of activities that can be done. There is an abundance of drills which can be found in various sources whether through past experience, in books or even online. Although these can conjure up inspiration and creativity, the most effective drills are often unique and personalised for the player at their particular level of development. “Drills” have their place in the sun especially when considering the repetition of a learned motor skill and their effectiveness in developing skills has stood the test of time but there is more than meets the eye to just “hitting balls”.

The decision making process is often the forgotten cousin when conjuring up a new exciting drill and this is where “constraints-led” coaching rises to the occasion. By presenting various scenarios, rules and conditions a coach can engage the players mind and body to the simplest task. The most informal version of constraints can be found no further than the backyard. Growing up in a cricketing household, a bat and ball were never far from reach. Age old rules such as “six –and-out”, “one hand one bounce” and “electric wickets” were a common language which informed decision making and caused many a heated debate whether the “pot plant could have caught that one”. Needless to say, if more drills were run in this way it would allow players to strategise, make decisions and perform the given objective for themselves, not to mention by gamifying training it can add to the enjoyment experienced.

Effective learning finds this balance. On the see-saw between novelty and boredom lies emotional relevance. Back to the backyard, it was a daunting sight to see big brother steaming in with the taped tennis ball from 12 yards wanting nothing more than to get the bat back in his hand (or inflict a bruise as a trophy), but on reflection, what did this teach me? Skills such as getting in line, playing swing bowling and facing pace not to mention the mental components of grit, game plans and concentration. I can even recall going to the nets to prepare my technique for the game… played at Number 14Cherry Lane every weekend.

The debate will continue between the “constraints-led” community and the “old school drill masters”, however with a balanced approach to the framework of improvement a unique mix can be created which if intentionally constructed can lead to players having all the tools in the box. Equipping players to adapt given the task and the environment with prepared skill is what performance is all about.

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GKC has been based at Curro Hermanus since January this year with numbers in the private coaching space continuously growing at the school.

Over fifty kids attended the free coaching session between the age of 8-13 with Gary Kirsten hosting the much anticipated talk to a dedicated group of parents.

At Parklands College, 70 youngsters were divided into five groups where they received coaching in various aspects of the game.

“We had five coaches at different stations. We focused on target bowling and throwing, speed gun bowling, power throwing and lots of net sessions,” GKC Coach Garreth Van Hoesselin said.

“The response was fantastic at both schools and it was good to see an encouraging number of girls attend as well. There is great potential among these youngsters and we cannot wait to continue our work with them,” he added.

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Clinics were held in Hermanus and Century City, players were put through their paces ahead of the third school term.

“Once again we had a great turnout. The clinics are growing well in those areas,” GKC Director of Coaching, Ryan Van Niekerk said.

“It gave us a chance to work with all aspects of the game. The third term is the preseason for school cricketers so it was good to get in some early preparation with them, Van Niekerk added.

In addition, Peter Kirsten’s work at Fish Hoek continues to inspire junior cricketers.

He hosted three, free coaching days to create interest in the valley.

“It is exciting to see young kids getting involved in the game. We look forward to a good beginning out there,” Van Niekerk concluded.

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The 49-year-old who signed a two-year contract with the Hobart Hurricanes earlier in the year travelled to Tasmania recently to start work ahead of the 2017/18 tournament which gets underway in December.

The Hurricanes endured a disappointing campaign last season having won just three out of eight games.

“I am really looking forward to getting involved,” Kirsten beamed.

“The visit gave me a chance to familiarize myself with the environment and have a number of conversations to understand where the team was last year,” he explained.

“The sense that I got is that the team is kind of bubbling under. They have shown that they do have something and it is just a few tweaks that can make a big difference,” Kirsten said.

Kirsten admits that he has lofty ambitions for the team despite their recent struggles.

“The goal is to win the BBL,” Kirsten said.

“What is important is that we make sure everything we do in recruiting, exposing the brand, our playing ability and preparation all stack up right. Then we will have a good chance of doing well,” Kirsten revealed.

He will head back to Australia in October to join Tasmania’s Matador Cup squad and work alongside coach, Adam Griffith.

The 39-year-old will be Kirsten’s assistant coach at the tournament.

“I will spend around 10 days with the team and connect with the players. It is also to watch Adam at work so we align ourselves,” he concluded.

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