ECB Coaches Association links Coaching Insight 2019 | Page 31

Constraints
Ian, here and on the previous page, at the 2017 National Conference
Environment-shaping in action
One general strategy to use in
sessions, which works particularly
well in fielding warm-ups, is to set a
loose game up to begin with, then
frequently intervene to change
the rules, shaping the game, step
by step, towards areas which you
want players to work on without
signposting “this will be a
one-handed catching drill”.
With this idea in mind, let’s try
to solve some specific problems
by simply manipulating the
environment. My suggested
solutions are on the following page,
but try and develop your own first.
Q
One:
A particular bowler is falling
towards the stumps when he
delivers the ball. How can you
shape a net session to encourage
a subconscious rectifying of that
problem?
Two:
Your powerful hitters are regularly
getting caught out on the drive.
How can you best work with them
to develop their ability to avoid
fielders?
Three:
You’ve got batters in your team
who struggle to score unless it’s a
long hop that they can smash to
the boundary. How can you develop
their game so they begin to pick up
quick singles?
29