In its effort to create uniformity in the training system across ranks, the BCCI has teamed up with the Australian Strength & Conditioning Association (ASCA) to create a pool of world-class trainers (S&C coaches) in the country. . Recently, the BCCI formed its Sports Science Section at the National Cricket Academy, which is led by former National Team Chief Physicist, Dr. Nitin Patel. They have now come up with the concept of creating a program that will “increase the knowledge base of fitness trainers at all levels in BCCI”.
The concept note that BCCI shared with state unit trainers, who are in possession of PTI, it is clear that the intention is to ensure that from U-19 (men and women) to senior state teams and then national teams, the same training module is followed by the teams.
“Often we see that at the state level the Strength and Conditioning training is completely different from what is in India U-19, A or senior teams. This course will create enough S&C coaches, who can then follow the curriculum at the state level as well” , a former India A trainer, aware of the developments, told PTI under conditions of anonymity.
He then went on to quote how some state teams have a very different idea of S&C training than what the national team or the NCA follows.
“Let me give you an example from this Ranji season. The BCCI had sent a note to all state teams that YoYo test (aerobic endurance test) and 2k run, which were used before because fitness parameters are no longer required as a full season after -COVID kicks in and we don’t know anything about players’ lung capacity.
“Still at DDCA, Rajkumar Sharma and his coaching staff used YoYo as a parameter to decide who are eligible candidates while the world recognizes that it is not a parameter to judge the fitness of cricket,” he said.
The idea is to have such a training program where there is less interference from old-school coaches in some state teams, whose idea of S&C training is still archaic.
According to the BCCI-ASCA agreement it will be a three year course where Year 1 will be ‘Cricket Specific S&C Beginner Program’ followed by Year 2 with ‘Cricket Specific S&C Intermediate Program’ and the final year 3 will be ‘Cricket Specific S&C Advanced Program ‘ to have.
According to the program requirement, 114 candidates (potential S&C trainers) in 38 affiliated units will attend the course, along with six diverse candidates, making the total to 120 candidates.
“Two male S&C coaches and 1 female coach per BCCI affiliated units will attend the program for a ‘Year Round Mentorship through the NCA Central Team’. 114 candidates will be taught by six professionals and it will begin in July with a two-day hybrid program, a BCCI source informed.
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It is understood that during the on-site program, 20 state S&C coaches will be supervised by one NBA central team S&C coach. For example, 120 candidates will have six such coaches.
“The plan is to have mentorship throughout the year so we have a strong pool of S&C coaches, both men and women,” the source said.
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