The role of a coach in the modern game of cricket has changed in so many ways, I think they should think about renaming that position. Today's coach is a strategist to the core and someone who runs the trainings, practices, injuries and in some countries even team selection.
From the past, this person was someone who would just be in the background and help out on the basics. The coach's role today is much better than many white-collar jobs in the market. In fact, considering the pay-check most international coaches take home today, they should mark it as a white-collar job.
A lot of it has to do with the change in the modern game itself. With so much commercialization and money getting in the game, having an expensive coach other than him being a good coach is important as well. With the introduction of former players taking up coaching roles, it has become an even more respectable and involved role.
The coach is directly involved in player nurturing, skill development, strategy and also the events off the field. So, controversies and differences are no longer restricted to the players only. Coaches have enough ways to get into news as well.
In fact its not even one coach now. There is the bowling coach, the fielding coach, the trainer and a whole team of coaching staff. An idea coming from Amercian sports I presume, NBA, NFL etc. Every role appreciated and specialized in their own way. I guess there is no harm in specialized roles only that it comes with a cost. In the old days, all those roles were associated with a single person.
Another interesting part of modern day coaching is the cultural differences that most international coaches need to adjust to when they come into a new country. This is usually a trend in the Asian teams where money is not an issue hence take examples of Greg Chappell, the late Bob Woolmer, Dav Whatmore, Tom Moody etc, all have had difficult times adjusting to a varying culture as compared to their origins and people would have mixed opinions about their success.
I wont go into details on individuals but commercialization has revolutionized the role of the modern day coach as well. I am not exactly sure if thats good or bad for the game overall, but its definitely brought in a lot more quality & professionalism into the game which is good for the future of cricket.
From the past, this person was someone who would just be in the background and help out on the basics. The coach's role today is much better than many white-collar jobs in the market. In fact, considering the pay-check most international coaches take home today, they should mark it as a white-collar job.
A lot of it has to do with the change in the modern game itself. With so much commercialization and money getting in the game, having an expensive coach other than him being a good coach is important as well. With the introduction of former players taking up coaching roles, it has become an even more respectable and involved role.
The coach is directly involved in player nurturing, skill development, strategy and also the events off the field. So, controversies and differences are no longer restricted to the players only. Coaches have enough ways to get into news as well.
In fact its not even one coach now. There is the bowling coach, the fielding coach, the trainer and a whole team of coaching staff. An idea coming from Amercian sports I presume, NBA, NFL etc. Every role appreciated and specialized in their own way. I guess there is no harm in specialized roles only that it comes with a cost. In the old days, all those roles were associated with a single person.
Another interesting part of modern day coaching is the cultural differences that most international coaches need to adjust to when they come into a new country. This is usually a trend in the Asian teams where money is not an issue hence take examples of Greg Chappell, the late Bob Woolmer, Dav Whatmore, Tom Moody etc, all have had difficult times adjusting to a varying culture as compared to their origins and people would have mixed opinions about their success.
I wont go into details on individuals but commercialization has revolutionized the role of the modern day coach as well. I am not exactly sure if thats good or bad for the game overall, but its definitely brought in a lot more quality & professionalism into the game which is good for the future of cricket.
2 comments:
coaching has more or less remained the same its only that there is more media pressure to give sound bites...and more hawk eyes to dissect your every move...
I echo SP... it has been the media with the increase in 24x7 news channels that they need to make sometime or the other.
Cross cultural issues is a valid point however I do not think it is too much of a problem... Wright was an excellent coach for India and he lasted for quite a while.
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