Author(s): TISSERA, K., SHORTER, K., BENSON, A., Institution: SWINBURNE UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY, Country: AUSTRALIA, Abstract-ID: 1954

INTRODUCTION:
Bowlers play an important role in cricket, seeking to meet the dual task goals of dismissing a batter, and limiting the batting team’s score. Finding a length (distance) to bowl to the batter which increases uncertainty in their responses, colloquially termed a ‘good length’, helps achieve these dual aims. There is conjecture around the location of this region, with a range of distances (between 3-8m) previously reported [1]. When viewed from a theoretical framework of learning, such as ecological dynamics, regions offering more than one movement solution are considered metastable regions [2]. This study explored coaches understanding of the concept of a ‘good length’ in relation to cricket bowling.
METHODS:
An online questionnaire (Qualtrics) targeting cricket coaches internationally included fixed-response and free-text questions, with demographic and coaching experience data presented as frequencies. Thematic analysis [3] using NVivo (v15.0.0) software explored coaches understanding of key characteristics and perceptions of a ‘good length’ region in cricket, comparing two groups (coaches predominantly coaching either junior (<18 yrs) or senior (>18 yrs) cricketers).
RESULTS:
104 coaches (93% male, 7% female) aged 20-69 years from 11 countries responded, with 52% coaching junior and 48% coaching senior cricketers. A central theme (a region for success) emerged after thematic analysis of coaches perceptions of a ‘good length’, with three sub-themes. Those coaching juniors focused on the batter’s role within the ‘doubtful batter’ sub-theme, while those coaching seniors also commented on challenging the batter. Both coaching groups shared similar sentiments for the sub-themes of ‘a pause on scoring’ (inhibiting performance) and ‘just out of reach’ (focus on the location being not too full or not too short). Three themes on characteristics that determine a ‘good length’ delivery emerged. The contextual nature of the region was reported by both groups (theme 1: the role of context), with those coaching seniors reporting strategic elements in addition to the individual and environmental constraints reported by those coaching juniors. Both groups included comments identifying the importance of line when defining this region (theme 2: multidimensionality of the region), with some coaches from both groups identifying fixed distances for this region (theme 3: fixed dimensions of this length).
CONCLUSION:
Insights from cricket coaches conceptualisation of the ‘good length’ region depict an understanding aligned to the concept of metastability [2], moving beyond common interpretations of a fixed distance. Overall, both groups of coaches shared similar sentiments around the dynamic nature of this region, with coaches of senior cricketers often demonstrating more tactical nuance to their interpretation. Findings may assist with broadening understanding of these concepts at different levels of coach education.

1. Harwood et al. (2019) 2. Pinder et al. (2012) 3. Braun & Clarke (2006)