Although underused, reflection is a key part of a cricketer improving.
Recently I was reminded of the GROW model of reflection that works to help players hone in on what to do (and helps coaches do the same of their coaching).
What GROW is for
GROW can be used to reflect in a number of different contexts:
In a session, when you want to quickly review how things are going.
In a session, when you want to delve more deeply into what to do next.
In a game, to get a sense of what to do next tactically.
After a block of sessions or matches to reflect and decide what to do in the next block.
By the coach when planning a session or block of sessions around a specific goal or learning outcome.
GROW can be quick (20-30 seconds live in a session) or slow (an hour or more in a block review). It’s flexible but powerful. It is often used as a way to remove weaknesses but it is equally powerful in reinforcing strengths.
How to use GROW in cricket
Here’s the basics:
Goal: What are you trying to achieve and are you committed to it 100%?
Reality: What is the current situation? What’s happening?
Options: What can we do to change things? How can we make the reality match the goal?
What next?: Which option do we pick?
This is flexible and can come out in a lot of ways, however here is an example from a training session; A young cricketer is bowling in the nets to a batsman. You call them over mid-net and ask:
Coach: “What are you working on?” (Goal)
Player: I’m trying to get the batsman to look to drive so I can nick them off
C: “What have you noticed?” (Reality)
P: “The ball is swinging and they have edged it low a couple of times. I think I am on top but they have also middled a few. and they know how to leave me”
C: “What can you do different?” (Options)
P: “Uhm, well, I could pitch it up a bit more, or maybe try to bowl some cross seam so it doesn’t swing away and makes it harder for them to judge what to leave.”
C: “Which one will you try?” (What next)
P: “I’ll bowl a few cross seam in the next few balls.”
C: “Great, show me!”
This is one example, but the real strength for me is the flexibility. If you ever struggle with how to start a review, use GROW to give you a framework and get more done more quickly.