How to Plan Indoor Cricket Nets Sessions.

Over the last few years cricket coaching available to juniors has been improved dramatically. The offering to the young players at county, district and even school has given them the best chance to succeed as sportsmen and women. So as a club we decided we needed to improve our own winter net training plan to encourage new players to join our junior set up. This in turn would benefit the whole club as new players, when old enough, could join our adult players in the league matches on Saturdays.

In the past we would usually have 4 winter sessions, based at a local school sports hall. The facilities were very basic indeed but the costs associated were low too so we could offer no nets, just warm up drills and basic fielding drills. The season then started and we were able to use the clubs outdoor nets before the matches started. Now though we have set up our first ever, 12 week indoor nets, for our u15's last winter training program, which is based at a local private school (so the quality of facilities available are much higher). This was a big step up from what was on offer in the past.

The objective was to improve the skills and confidence of our junior players so they could compete as a junior but also make an impact when playing adult cricket.

The answer to this question depends on your facilities, coaches available and the number of players willing to attend each week. As mentioned we went for a 12 week program which was a huge commitment for the players and coaches ahead of a long outdoor season. However, we were able to work on every cricketing skill set which did improve the players cricketing abilities.

Depending on your numbers, you could look at a reduced training program to focus on a smaller number of skills. Finishing with an indoor game or nets, to break up the session was important though, as the key element should always be fun. This ensure's the players enjoy the game and want to return each week.

Ensuring the coach gets the most out of the player and session, we created a plan each week, that focused on a specific skill set. Our plan for the indoor nets was based on using the 3 x ECB level 2 coaches and a couple of helpers. We wanted to use the excellent facilities to the max, as the hall had 4 nets and was a great place to train, with superb lighting for indoor cricket. Each week, we practised a different skill.

• Week 1, Ground Fielding
• Week 2, Catching. High and low.
• Week 3, Straight Drive.
• Week 4, Pull and cut shots.
• Week 5, Bowling, line and length.
• Week 6, Fielding, catching - Slip and diving.
• Week 7, Straight drives having completed the bleep test first.
• Week 8, Bowling.
• Week 9, Indoor Game.
• Week 10, Players clinics, where each player had specific coaching on one thing they felt desperate to improve upon.
• Week 11, Full nets session for 2 hours.
• Week 12, Bleep test followed by an indoor game.

Every week we worked on the specific skill set as suggested by our session plan for approximately one hour, which was followed by netting for the final hour. We had one net set aside for the batters to get one to one coaching, before they went in to the main nets, with bowlers.

Following our 1st ever winter program we noticed that all of the players improved dramatically. The coaches and players enjoyed the sessions but, i feel we could have done so much more. We didn't start the season well and underperformed throughout. Maybe my expectation was too big, as they are only a club under 15 side, not District or County. Although, there are individuals that represent both.

We have now started planning for the next Winter nets sessions. We are having much discussion about the format. One coach feels we would benefit more if we exclusively used the nets for the whole 2 hours. One feels we over used to nets and should practise drills and introduce the mental side of the game. I think we had the right balance but, didn't get the best out of the players.

In contrast when compared to our adult net sessions who used the nets only (no other training plan), we had more than our fair share of shoulder injuries, where bowlers were over bowling, due to lack of numbers. This also needs to be addressed and maybe a mix of the 2 styles would work best.

Have you planned a Winter Cricket Program? What do you think the best approach would be?How can i get the best out of the facilities, players and coaches?

Stuart is a Qualified ECB level 2 Coach and has also further his cricket coaching qualification with a level 2.5 Club Coach award too. He plays Cricket and hockey and coaches youth players in both sports aswell.