What image do you make in your mind when you think of cricket coaching?

You might be thinking of a coach working in the net with a player. Throwdowns, cones and poles, plenty of discussion and demonstration of technical pointers. This is a common sight. You would not be wrong.

But perhaps a more important picture is one that is often missing at club, school and academy level.

Think of the coach viewing a match on video on a laptop. Notes are taken and different things are observed. This image is more important because the coach is finding out how a player performs in a match. This is often very different from what they do in the nets.

Net hero anyone?

Analysing a player in a match reveals what you need to work on at practice. For example, say your opening bowler is great at hitting targets in practice then in matches goes out and bowls wide outside off stump for three overs. If you notice this in the game, you can develop a practice to overcome this issue.

Game analysis: not just for first-class

You might argue that game analysis is only for teams with first-class resources: You need a camera with hours of storage and battery life. You need to keep it safe from the elements and theft. You need parental permission to film under 18s.

You can also say that without a camera it's impossible to do game analysis of individual players: Distractions are plenty (umpiring, scoring, arranging the drinks) and players are many. It's tough enough to watch a single player every ball, let alone a team across 100 or more overs.

All these things are true.

Yet, don't the benefits outweigh the challenges?

I'm sure you can find a camera geek in your club. There's always one. Even if there is absolutely no way of getting a camera trained on he field, is there someone who can do the analysis? Can someone take other matchday jobs away from the coach to free up for analysis?

It doesn't have to be the whole game. Pick key points to film or have someone watch closely. It doesn't even need a coach. Get a team mate to watch you bat.

You are bound to pick things up you would never notice if you only ever analyse technique in practice. The fact is, we all play differently because it's a different situation.

So, my challenge to you is this: Now you know how important match analysis is to your game, how are you going to find a way to get it in to your preparation?

The gauntlet is down.