June 18, 2009 3:57:36 am
A Little while ago,his name was in the mix to take over as the new coach of the Indian womens cricket team. But he was passed up,like always. Vinod Sharma,however,was a picture of concentration on Wednesday as he went through the NCA Level A coaching camp at the Feroze Shah Kotla.
The question is,what will a coach who has won practically all major domestic trophies,including the Ranji Trophy and Irani Trophy learn from the coaching team led by Dr Kinjal Suratwala at the camp?
I have come here to learn new things. Basically,the idea was to update myself. The more I learn,the better it will be for my charges, the 54-year-old veteran,who started coaching way back in 1984,told Sportline. I have completed a silver jubilee when it comes to coaching.
Sharma,who at one time was handling coaching duties of the Railways Ranji team,womens team and the U-22 team at the same time,said he should have joined a camp like this one much earlier.
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I should have attended a camp a lot earlier. I have thoroughly enjoyed going through this process, Sharma said. Talk about the impending exam that Sharma needs to clear to get his first real diploma in coaching after all these years in the job,and the excitement and nervousness is obvious. First,I need to do well in the written exams. Maybe after that I will even go in for the B level course,but first things first, he said.
So comes next for him is the inevitable question. Lets see. I have done all I can and still I wasnt deemed fit for any role (at the national stage). Somehow I was always passed up. I am a student of this game and I will never rule myself out for any offer, he said,quickly adding: I have no regrets.
Coaching coaches
dinesh Nanavati,who is teaching batting drills to these students of the game,put the idea of coaching the coaches into perspective. I started coaching in 1990 and I knew nothing about bio-mechanics. After Dennis Lillees injury,the Australians have worked a lot in this field and the world is following them. As coaches we have to evolve with time so that our expertise remains useful and viable, he said.
The man who is leading this clinic gave his perspective: Skillwise,we dont need to give a word of advice to some of these guys who have played Ranji Trophy. But there is a lot to learn,like communications,for instance. As a player,you know how to hit a cover drive but as a coach you have to have your ideas clear enough so you can explain the stroke to your charges. Theres a huge difference in knowing something and passing on the same knowledge to young players.
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