Be an Elite Coach, Build Elite Athletes

Things to develop your coaching and have a greater impact on your athletes. You define what your “elite” is!

By Isaac Leung, Athletic Skills

Hey reader,

Today we have a guest writer, Ben Chambers who shares how he has recently combined his technical coaching with the ability to impact movement and fitness, something I always want to show you all!

Give this a read and hope this shows that you can do this in your delivery also and combine if you are a S&C coach with some technical aspects and if you are a Sports Coach, how you can add S&C in to your delivery.

Then I dive in to why multi sports are a brilliant way to develop your group in a fun way!

As always, hit reply with your thoughts and I would love to chat! And if you want to be a guest writer one week then let me know and you can share your stories on this platform!

Be an Elite Coach:

Combining Strength and Conditioning with Technical Coaching with Ben Chambers, Level 3 Cricket Coach, UKSCA Accredited (pending), Course Leader Sport & Exercise Science.

How do you effectively integrate strength and conditioning (S&C) with technical coaching? This is a question I, like many technical coaches, have often pondered when planning coaching programmes. In a semi-professional environment, the need for efficiency makes this balance even more crucial.

Seven years and a pandemic after I first joined Three Bridges Cricket Club, I was contracted as the club’s inaugural coach, tasked with preparing all senior teams, with a particular focus on developing junior cricketers transitioning into senior cricket. One of my priorities was to incorporate strength and conditioning into this season’s training programme, all while shaping the culture and environment of the club.

My guiding principles were simplicity, relevance, and maximal participation—no player left standing around waiting for their turn. I structured the sessions around basic training concepts like progressive overload. With limited equipment, I leaned heavily on bodyweight exercises.

To maximise the time for technical and tactical work, I integrated S&C elements directly into the warm-up, since players are more focused and engaged on cricket specifics for most of the session’s duration. I used the RAMP protocol (Raise, Activate, Mobilise, Potentiate) as the framework. For example, a favourite warm-up activity was "hand hockey" with a twist. I split the players into two teams, using a frisbee to add variety and fun. If a team dropped the frisbee, they were required to perform bodyweight exercises like burpees or mountain climbers.

In preparation for an infield drill, I incorporated explosive movements such as pogos and agility drills like lateral shuffles with changes in direction. These mimic the lateral, powerful movements fielders use to prevent quick singles, making the exercises directly relevant to their on-field actions.

Another instance of integrating S&C came during a power-hitting session. Before the players went into the nets, I had them complete medicine ball throws, combining core stability, rotational power, and explosiveness. This potentiation effect set the stage for the power-hitting competition that followed, where players aimed to hit the ball the furthest.

Reflecting on my first season as club coach, the results speak for themselves. Three of the four senior teams secured promotion, with the 2nd XI emerging as champions. The 1st XI finished third in the ECB Premier League and earned a spot in the Sussex T20 final at Hove. Additionally, our Sussex Slam T20 team, the Titans, won their cup final.

This season has underscored the value of integrating strength and conditioning into club cricket. With a professional approach and thoughtful, relevant planning grounded in core training principles, S&C can complement technical coaching in any setting, driving both individual and team success.

Build Elite Athletes:

Multi-Sports: What Are the Benefits to Physical Development?

I often see parents or coaches steering children or athletes early down the path of specializing in just one sport. However, playing the same sport week in, week out, multiple times a week over the year can become tedious, repetitive, and even boring for some, especially when they plateau or aren’t succeeding.

In my experience coaching Strength and Conditioning across professional levels, as well as in academy and pathway programs, I often exposed my athletes to multiple sports and encouraged the coaches I worked with to do the same.

But why?

• Freshens Things Up: Every Friday, I took my group to a new venue to try something different—gymnastics, tennis, boxing, yoga, to name a few. This kept things fresh, fun, and also served as great team bonding.

• Movement Transfer: Many physical qualities and movements developed in one sport can transfer to another. Footwork in boxing can improve striking in other sports, acceleration and change of direction from tennis can enhance football performance, endurance from boxing can be applied across various sports, and yoga is excellent for developing flexibility.

• Social Elements: Athletes who usually train alone can develop their social skills by working with others in a team environment. Other sports can create new leaders or help people come out of their shells.

• Increased Chances of Success and Talent Discovery: Exposing athletes to different environments allows them to explore and discover sports they may have a natural talent for—ones they might not have otherwise known.

• FUN: Mixing things up adds an element of fun that can reignite an athlete’s passion and motivation.

I’m not suggesting you take your group to a new sport every week, but it’s important to use opportunities to provide exposure to other training methods.

• Incorporate Variety in Warm-Ups: Use warm-ups as a chance to introduce new movements or skills from different sports.

• Collaborate with Other Coaches: Partner with a coaching friend—spend a day at a local rugby club, and then invite them to join your session.

• Encourage Exploration: Motivate your group to visit local clubs and try out different sports.

Give it a go—there are countless benefits this can bring to your group!

Want to discuss more? I would love to hear what you are doing in your coaching! Hit reply and let’s have a chat!

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