Sam Konstas: Are you on board with him?

[Cmarsh]

Some more than others. That said if he doesn't want to work hard he is no chance. Still young enough to make changes and improve. He was picked way too early.

Where is the suggestion coming from that he doesn't work hard?

 

[Bucking Beads]

Where is the suggestion coming from that he doesn't work hard?

Your imagination.

 

[sr36]

To play it properly you need to fix his grip - 99% of most technical problems can be fixed by sorting out the grip, backlift and stance.

Konstas has a split grip - unless he’s a freak he’s not going to make it

Split grip is ok for defence and very good for shots square and behind the wicket, but terrible for driving. I don't mind it, but it can close off the field.

 

[Cmarsh]

Your imagination.

Well it was from your post actually.

 

[Bucking Beads]

Well it was from your post actually.

I said he needs to work hard on certain things. Didn't realize I said he doesn't work hard. If he is working hard on his defense then he's gotta change how he's working on it..

 

[sr36]

I said he needs to work hard on certain things. Didn't realize I said he doesn't work hard. If he is working hard on his defense then he's gotta change how he's working on it..

He's a 21 year old shield opener who just scored a century and a 50 in his last game. It was those championing him who had ridiculous expectations, but it's now those potting him who have those ridiculous expectations.

 

[9874123]

To play it properly you need to fix his grip - 99% of most technical problems can be fixed by sorting out the grip, backlift and stance.

Konstas has a split grip - unless he’s a freak he’s not going to make it

In coaching, have you seen players of his age make such radical changes to their grip with any success? How long of a transition period be?

There of course is the famous story of Greg Chappell changing his grip after receiving advice from Bradman, but I just looked the story up and it didn't seem like such a huge change, more like an adjustment.

I am genuinely curious if there are any notable examples. I really don't think Konstas would make a change like that, but it would be really interesting if he just took a year or however long it takes to just knuckle down and get it right.

 

[western royboy]

In coaching, have you seen players of his age make such radical changes to their grip with any success? How long of a transition period be?

There of course is the famous story of Greg Chappell changing his grip after receiving advice from Bradman, but I just looked the story up and it didn't seem like such a huge change, more like an adjustment.

I am genuinely curious if there are any notable examples. I really don't think Konstas would make a change like that, but it would be really interesting if he just took a year or however long it takes to just knuckle down and get it right.

You can remodel anything if you have the time and dedication. But it’s largely an off season thing.

The best example is the late Phil Hughes.

Obviously he burst on to the scene in a similar fashion to Konstas but equally he had a few technical flaws. I vividly recalling his 1st Test in SA where he probably should have got a pair and commented to a mate who was watching with me that if this bloke makes runs long term with that technique then all my beliefs in cricket and batting where wrong.

We had a colleague in the Northern Rivers coaching system and enquired as to why no one had ever tried to tidy things up and the message was that because he made runs for fun his father wouldn’t allow anyone to interfere.

So when he got dropped from the Test team the first time there was no effort made to make any technical changes - what had got him there would get him back

Then he got dropped again and I was told had worked on the major flaw. Sadly we will never know the result as he passed away before we got to see it in the big stage again.

It’s why I am a bit critical of the way our kids are learning the game now. They get zero technical advice or learning out of Blast and after that all they do is play, minimal training and wall to wall Mickey Mouse games of short format where scoring at all costs supersedes good all round batting.

Players who have made it with split grips in longer forms of the game are limited and top order players are even more limited.

 

[Bucking Beads]

You can remodel anything if you have the time and dedication. But it’s largely an off season thing.

The best example is the late Phil Hughes.

Obviously he burst on to the scene in a similar fashion to Konstas but equally he had a few technical flaws. I vividly recalling his 1st Test in SA where he probably should have got a pair and commented to a mate who was watching with me that if this bloke makes runs long term with that technique then all my beliefs in cricket and batting where wrong.

We had a colleague in the Northern Rivers coaching system and enquired as to why no one had ever tried to tidy things up and the message was that because he made runs for fun his father wouldn’t allow anyone to interfere.

So when he got dropped from the Test team the first time there was no effort made to make any technical changes - what had got him there would get him back

Then he got dropped again and I was told had worked on the major flaw. Sadly we will never know the result as he passed away before we got to see it in the big stage again.

It’s why I am a bit critical of the way our kids are learning the game now. They get zero technical advice or learning out of Blast and after that all they do is play, minimal training and wall to wall Mickey Mouse games of short format where scoring at all costs supersedes good all round batting.

Players who have made it with split grips in longer forms of the game are limited and top order players are even more limited.

That see ball hit ball mantra you hear at junior level now is bonkers. They train new coaches to let kids pick up the bag however feels comfortable . No straight bat required.

 

[western royboy]

That see ball hit ball mantra you hear at junior level now is bonkers. They train new coaches to let kids pick up the bag however feels comfortable . No straight bat required.

It is insane

 

[Bucking Beads]

It is insane

It so disheartening tbh. I tried to coach my sons cricket team and the coaching courses just felt embarrassing. The junior numbers are down massively as soon as the kids turn 12. I have such fond memories of all the cricket played as a kid but it's just not even in the same ballpark as what the kids are getting now..

 

[western royboy]

It so disheartening tbh. I tried to coach my son’s cricket team and the coaching courses just felt embarrassing. The junior numbers are down massively as soon as the kids turn 12. I have such fond memories of all the cricket played as a kid but it's just not even in the same ballpark as what the

I hear you

 

[Drugs Are Bad Mackay?]

That see ball hit ball mantra you hear at junior level now is bonkers. They train new coaches to let kids pick up the bag however feels comfortable . No straight bat required.

That's not been my experience

The sessions I've been to they preach don't change for the sake of changing, but be guided by results.

Eg if a 9yo Lasith Malinga is slinging them down round arm at your Under 10 training, don't immediately go up to him and correct his action to make him more orthodox. Wait and see how he goes. Observe and take in some information.

However, if a kid is bowling wides and can't control them that's the cry for help - "Coach? I need some assistance." That's When you adjust, help, tweak, suggest. Coach.

Same with batting. Don't tell little Marnus or little Steve that they'll never succeed with those ultra strong bottom hand grips, and they're supposed to have the Vs down the back of the bat. See how they go first. Can they present the full face of the bat? Can they score off side, leg side, straight? Hit through the line of the ball? Hmmm maybe wait and see.

Consistently get leading edges or get bowled slicing across the line however? Coach...? I need some coaching.

 

[western royboy]

That's not been my experience

The sessions I've been to they preach don't change for the sake of changing, but be guided by results.

Eg if a 9yo Lasith Malinga is slinging them down round arm at your Under 10 training, don't immediately go up to him and correct his action to make him more orthodox. Wait and see how he goes. Observe and take in some information.

However, if a kid is bowling wides and can't control them that's the cry for help - "Coach? I need some assistance." That's When you adjust, help, tweak, suggest. Coach.

Same with batting. Don't tell little Marnus or little Steve that they'll never succeed with those ultra strong bottom hand grips, and they're supposed to have the Vs down the back of the bat. See how they go first. Can they present the full face of the bat? Can they score off side, leg side, straight? Hit through the line of the ball? Hmmm maybe wait and see.

Consistently get leading edges or get bowled slicing across the line however? Coach...? I need some coaching.

Hmm…obviously I’m hooked in at coaching and have been doing it for a fair amount of time. I am seeing lots of mixed messaging, particularly in the bowling area with what you’ve posted above. CV ran a two hour session on Wednesday night regarding coaching young fast bowlers.