If a coach isn't technical, then what's their role?

[Sher Khan]

I recently read Shaun Tait's interview where he stated he isn't a technical coach and doesn't believe much in the technical side. What an earth is the role of a coach if he doesn't approach players from a technical point of view?

Is paying a six figure salary to a coach just to be a motivational speaker and Muck around really worth it?

 

[sweep_shot]

Strange comment from Tait.

To be honest, Tait was never a great bowler in his career. Only thing he had was pace. Not sure what he can coach to others.

 

[Sher Khan]

Tait is the Australian version of Wahab Riaz. Ramiz got carried away with his Australian obsession when he appointed him.

 

[Local.Dada]

A coach’s role is Strategic. I don’t think Mickey Arthur or whoever can tell Babar how to play cover drive. They might point out what length he needs to pick and chose to play a stroke against a certain type of bowling etc if he is having trouble. That’s the extent of it.

 

[Kroll]

Having the soft skills is just as important as the technical. A well rounded coach is going to make the best. Having the greatest technician probably wouldn't work on its own if you can't motivate or inspire to better yourself as a sportsman and individual.

 

[Bewal Express]

I recently read Shaun Tait's interview where he stated he isn't a technical coach and doesn't believe much in the technical side. What an earth is the role of a coach if he doesn't approach players from a technical point of view?

Is paying a six figure salary to a coach just to be a motivational speaker and Muck around really worth it?

I have tried to explain this to the guys on here for many years but most don't understand. Tait has let the cat out of the bag and it's the reason why I have said not to waste money on coaches and spend it on better salaries and facilities for the players.

 

[Bewal Express]

Cricket coaching remains one of the biggest scams around. Players improve because they want to improve and with lots of time in the middle on good pitches. This nonsense spouted by people on here and else where is a scan

 

[JattMaula]

Some are tactical coaches. Consultant like role.

Tait also provides additional jazba junoon. A Pakistani camp needs a wild thing with pace. Pace is pace. #160kphcoach

 

[Saj]

You have to have technical skills and insight as a coach.

Otherwise just give jobs to anyone who can cheer and pat people on the back and call them mentors.

 

[zaidihusain]

Coaching at international level is most over hyped job. Specialist coaching is required at domestic level only, at international level you need someone who is a better strategist and man manager. Players like Wasim, Waqar or Imran Khan achieved legendary status without specialist coaching. Players like Sachin or Dravid never needed someone like Greg Chappal to teach them how to bat. Unfortunately PCB has started gifting international test caps without consistent performance in FC cricket. Consistent performance in domestic cricket must be prerequisite before international debut. A coach must work on technical faults of a player at domestic level

 

[Bewal Express]

You have to have technical skills and insight as a coach.

Otherwise just give jobs to anyone who can cheer and pat people on the back and call them mentors.

Who are these guys. The reality is that in cricket people get better because they want to get better and they get lots of opportunities to play and improve on good wickets. There are coaches that may make difference to individual players and they should work with those players but the team coach is a footballing concept has been brought into cricket and they make no difference. In cricket its the captain and not the coach that makes the difference

 

[BunnyRabbit]

He actually did better than Waqar who isn't a technical teacher either.

But I do agree that the bowling coach needs to be equipped in both ie technicalities and confidence boosting.

Any English or South African bowling coach in their domestic would be fairly equipped in the technical side of the things.

 

[hafizexpress]

I have always found cricket coaches to be passengers with the team, enjoying the tours and locker room views of the games. I can get with a good and proper head coach, to be sort of a general mentor and supervisor, and maybe a fielding coach who can run drills and fitness sessions. But a bowling coach and a batting coach in cricket are useless positions. There's only so much advice and tips that a coach can provide to every single player, as everyone is different to how they were as a player. For example, Mo Yousuf can maybe provide Babar tips on staying on the crease for long and picking length and stroke-making, but how on earth would he advise him on activating his power game? What can he coach people like Asif Ali on? And if one makes the argument that a batting coach can help with technique, then I don't recall batsman, at least Pakistani, that has magically changed their technique during someone's coaching tenure. Mo Yousof as a coach especially just seems to be hanging around.

Don't even get me started on how useless a bowling coach is. What would an average fast-bowler, for example, coach a spinner? Just one of many faults.

I think consultant roles can be handy at times -- someone who is intelligent and can read and analyze the game and provide their input and motivation to the team. Mathew Hayden I feel was effective in whatever he did. But hiring random retired players as coaches for a team like Pakistan especially where is so much politics and inside resentment for one another, is pointless. Someone can be ripping apart a player and the whole team on TV one day and if offered a coaching role the next day would take it without any thought and then go and act super friendly with the same player that they were exhibiting personal dislike for just the day before.

To conclude, think back to any batting or bowling coach in the last decade and name me one that actually particularly benefitted Pakistani batsmen/bowlers in any way. As someone here mentioned, cricket is just a game where you work really hard and improve with your own drive and efforts -- and a supervisor/mentor could be helpful, in my opinion. I'm sure the players would know as well that no coach actually brings much to the table.