The 2022/23 season is now up and running. Although the early Spring weather presents its challenges, the excitement, the emotions and the joys of coaching all stir up just like the pollen in the air.
And like the pollen creates many people to react with Hayfever symptoms (sneezing, watering eyes, coughing), the new cricket season stirs all sorts of reactions to all coaches new and not so new.
This is where I draw your attention to – COACH BEHAVIOUR & EXPECTATIONS

Remember that your players need you to maintain control, be the sense of reason and most of all provide leadership at all times. The coach sets the tone of behaviour for all at the ground – Players, Parents, Spectators….They will all tend to follow your lead.

Therefore it is VITAL that you take on this responsibility and display the types of behaviour you expect of everyone else.

Good Coaching Behaviours:

Remain Calm, don’t ride the waves of emotion that your players are on. You need to remain the neutral example for the players and spectators to use as their base line. Speak in a calm and informed manner. Only speak to your players and parents Set up a players and officials zone – Take control of your playing group and strongly encourage parents and spectators to stay away DO NOT EVER – and I mean EVER enter the field of play during a match unless it is a break or to tend to an injured player. NEVER EVER QUESTION an umpire’s decision or conduct. There is nothing to gain from it, and it is your lead that sets the tone. Any questions / queries can only be raised via the Captains Report or look to contact the Umpires Coordinator. This also means that under NO CIRCUMSTANCES is a coach to approach an umpire on the field of play during a match. Yelling from the sidelines is never a good idea. YES, support your team, your players…but keep it controlled. If you have any issues / concerns with actions of the opposition, look to discuss this post game with the opposition coach. Report it in the Captain’s report, and if the issue / queries is not resolved, contact the PJCA Coach Coordinator or PJCA Secretary via phone or email. Coaching is rewarding, is fun, is enjoyable but also has many responsibilities.

I urge you all to take a deep breath, remain calm and be the leader that your players need you to be at all times.

Thanks

Orazio Santalucia
PJCA Coach Coordinator
pjca.coach@gmail.com