“Enjoy” and “Foot to the Pitch” Are Ruining Young Cricketers
- May 8
- 3 min read
After spending many years working in cricket coaching departments, there are two phrases I hear almost every day that genuinely concern me.
At first, they sound harmless. In fact, most coaches probably say them with good intentions. But over time, I’ve seen how these two phrases can actually create confusion, poor habits, and frustration in young players.
The two phrases are:
“Foot to the pitch of the ball”
“Enjoy the game”
Let’s break down why both can become problematic if they are not properly explained.
1. “Foot to the Pitch of the Ball”
This is one of the most commonly repeated coaching lines in cricket.
The problem is that an important word is usually missing.
The foot should not go to the pitch of the ball.
The foot should go next to the pitch of the ball.
That small difference completely changes the mechanics of batting.
When young players move their foot directly to the pitch of the ball, they often block access for the bat path. As a result, the bat comes around the body instead of through the line of the ball. Coaches then see players “playing around the world” instead of presenting a clean straight bat.
This is also closely linked to grip mechanics. If the grip is incorrect, players struggle even more to bring the bat through cleanly and maintain control through impact. We discussed this in detail in:
For young cricketers, language matters. A slight misunderstanding in wording can create technical issues that become very difficult to fix later on.
As coaches, we must be precise.
2. “Enjoy the Game”
This is the one that irritates me the most.
Of course, cricket should be enjoyable. Every coach wants players to love the game. But simply telling a young player to “enjoy it” without helping them build proper fundamentals misses the point completely.
How can a player truly enjoy cricket if they constantly struggle to execute basic skills?
Do players enjoy:
Getting out first ball?
Dropping easy catches?
Missing run outs?
Getting hit for boundaries every over?
Bowling poorly because their basics are missing?
The answer is obvious.
Nobody enjoys failure when they feel unprepared.
Real enjoyment in cricket comes from competence. It comes from confidence. It comes from having enough technical foundation to compete, contribute, and succeed more often.
When players develop strong fundamentals:
They spend longer at the crease
They score more runs
They take more catches
They bowl with greater control
They contribute to the team
That is where enjoyment starts to grow naturally.
Too many players are also taught that “dominating bowlers” means attacking recklessly. In reality, domination comes from control, decision-making, and technical efficiency. We explored that idea further here:
Fundamentals Create Freedom
Modern coaching sometimes tries to avoid technical conversations because coaches are worried about making the game “too serious” for young players.
But fundamentals are not the enemy of enjoyment.
Fundamentals are what allow enjoyment to happen.
A player with sound basics has more game time, more confidence, and more positive experiences. That leads to genuine enjoyment of the sport.
So instead of only saying:
“Enjoy the game”
Maybe we should say:
“Let’s build the skills that will help you enjoy the game.”
And instead of:
“Foot to the pitch of the ball”
Maybe we should coach:
“Get your foot next to the pitch of the ball so your bat can access the line properly.”
Small language changes can make a huge difference in player development.
Especially with young cricketers.
Because words matter.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is “foot to the pitch of the ball” incorrect?
The phrase is incomplete. The foot should move next to the ball's pitch, not directly to it. This allows the bat proper access to the ball and helps players maintain a straighter bat path.
Why does grip matter so much in batting?
Grip affects bat control, swing path, timing, and power generation. A poor grip often causes players to lose their shape and play around the ball.
Can young cricketers enjoy the game without technique?
Enjoyment becomes difficult when players consistently struggle with execution. Strong fundamentals help players perform better, which naturally increases confidence and enjoyment.
What are the biggest coaching mistakes in junior cricket?
Common mistakes include unclear coaching language, overloading players with information, ignoring fundamentals, and focusing on motivation without technical development.
How can coaches help young players improve faster?
Coaches should focus on clear communication, simple technical foundations, repetition of good habits, and building confidence through skill development.
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