Developing a young cricketer is not simply about correcting technique. It also requires creating an environment in which players have the freedom to explore their games without being controlled by the fear of failure.
That is one of the principles behind the work being done at Cricket South Africa’s National Academy.
Former Proteas spinner and current CSA high-performance coach Paul Adams joined CFM Weekly to explain how young players are selected for the academy and prepared for the demands of professional cricket.
“The National Academy is really where an intake gets selected through nominations from coaches who feel that certain young players deserve to spend a year or two developing their games,” Adams explained.
The group can include former South Africa Under-19 players making the transition into the professional system, as well as cricketers who have shown the potential to progress towards higher honours.
Some players return for more than one intake as coaches continue working on specific areas of their games.
“We see the potential and want to keep developing their game,” Adams said.
“We look at how their season went and where they feel they need to improve. Those discussions happen with the fast bowlers, batters, wicketkeepers and spinners.”
Adams explained that the programme is divided into different stages. The first includes assessment and fitness work before the focus moves towards skill development and applying those improvements in match situations.
A batter may spend an entire winter adding one shot to their game. A bowler could work on a new delivery before being encouraged to use it under match pressure.
“You want them to explore and grow their game,” Adams said.
“You kind of take the fear of the result away. Sometimes players restrict themselves and hold back to what they know because that is what has brought them success.
“But as young cricketers, they need to grow their games all around.”
Although the academy provides access to technology, video analysis and specialist coaches, Adams believes every player requires an individual development plan.
“It is not a one-size-fits-all scenario where you run a programme and everyone has to do the same thing,” he said.
“You need to have an awareness of each individual. You sit down, have full discussions and, as coaches, work out a programme for where each player is.”
In the full CFM Weekly conversation, Adams takes us further inside the National Academy, explains how technology and mental coaching are used, and discusses what South Africa must do to strengthen its spin-bowling pipeline.
Watch the full episode of CFM Weekly with Paul Adams below.
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