answered
Q: How important is the captain of a team in the development of a young spinner and what advice would you offer the captain?
A: The captain holds all the keys when it comes to the on-field development of a spinner. Essentially the captain needs to be not just a leader but also a mentor and number one supporter.
Bowling spin has been said to be an art. The art needs self belief and confidence by the artist. When a young spinner feels they are fully supported by the captain they will tend to take what are perceived to be “risks” in their bowling.
The risk taken is an approach or mind set of giving themself a chance. Many young spinners will instantly go to a mindset of “what if I get hit” if the captain is negative in their assistance this negatively will be reinforced.
A captain who sets the right field, tells the player that some balls may get hit , but that’s expected and that they back the bowler will be the one who has success guiding young spinners.
Think about the support the great Shane Warne received after his first test .
Peter Fitzgerald
last year
