A View From the Side

A new monthly feature from Andy Jackson, our Coaching Guru. Please tune in to read the "Great Ones" words of wisdom.

Ashes Rivalry, Or Sort Of!!

Every four years a few thousand miles away an extra crate of tinnies is ordered. Coals for the barbie bought in with a big side order of beef. The reason being the Pom’s are coming to visit the long lost convict cousins of Oz. As the Ashes series draws near it perhaps makes you think of other sports than hockey. But hold on for a minute. Hockey can learn from cricket. How so? I hear you ask, let me explain -

Well apart from the fact that most hockey clubs formed on the back of cricket clubs – something to do on the outfields in winter. By the way did you know that the first ever county hockey match took place in Almondbury between Lancashire and Yorkshire on 6th April 1889 with the result being a sporting 3-3 draw!!!

Cricket is an 11 a-side game. Blades and balls are involved. One side attacks and the other side defends. Sounds a bit similar to hockey. So perhaps that is about it then. Well in truth no it is not.

Have you ever watched a top class batsman such as that well named Yorkshireman Andrew Strauss perform under pressure? When he hits the ball his head is steady and over the ball, he uses his feet to get in the correct position, he plays the ball off the front foot and uses the blade to angle the ball. All these are features can be found in modern hockey. A good hit is from the ball on the left foot. Deceptive hitting comes from the balls position in relation to the left foot, in front it goes left and in the middle of the stance it goes to the right – similar to cover drives in cricket – and all achieved with pointing at the bowler.

And what of subtle deflections, in cricket these provide rich rewards with angling the blade to run the ball to third man. So why not adopt the same principles for free hits round the “D,” we don’t need to stop the ball we just have to steer it in the right direction towards goal!!!!

England have Flintoff, the Oz have Warnie. But on there own they will not succeed. They need support that can only be achieved as a unit. In other words they are a team. Pre-match huddles, geeing each other along and applauding even when things don’t quite work out – all signs of team spirit.

So as you crack open a few English Smith Smoothies to watch the Ashes just appreciate how they deceptively hit the ball, how they angle the blade and check out the team spirit when Freddy and the gang hit the Amber nectar!!!! Train together, play together and win together.

Yours for now Action