Why Ignoring the Physical Side of Cricket Is Holding Your Players Back with Jack McCann

Season #1 Episode #44

Build stronger, faster, and more robust cricketers—without changing your entire coaching programme. You’re preparing your players technically... But are they physically ready to perform, compete, and stay injury-free? Too many cricket coaches still treat physical development as a bonus—or don't even see the need. But modern demands more than skill. If you're not actively developing your players physically, you're not preparing them for the game’s demands. In this episode, I sit down with Jack McCann, a Head S&C coach at Leicestershire CCC who explains how cricket coaches can blend physical prep into their training—without the need for a gym or overhauling their program. Whether you coach at a recreation club, pathway, or school, this conversation gives you practical strategies to build better movers, reduce injury risk, and unlock your players’ full potential. 🧠 What You’ll Learn ✅ Why physical literacy is the foundation of cricket performance ✅ How warm-ups can become a tool for long-term player development ✅ The connection between movement quality and skill execution ✅ Simple ways to include physical prep—without extra time or equipment ✅ Why athletic development is the key to more resilient, coachable cricketers 📌 0:00 – Why physical development is overlooked in cricket 📌 3:30 – Separating performance myths from physical truth 📌 8:10 – How movement skills underpin batting, bowling & fielding 📌 14:40 – The warm-up as your coaching cheat code 📌 21:00 – Helping players improve physically without fancy resources 📌 27:15 – Common injury risks coaches can help prevent 📌 33:00 – Building physical development into existing cricket sessions 📌 39:00 – Jack’s advice to coaches: small changes, big gains 👍 Like this episode? Hit the like button and subscribe for more coaching insights. 💬 Drop a comment: What part of physical development are you focusing on with your players this season? 📢 Share this with a coach who’s still treating warm-ups like a routine instead of a resource. #CricketCoaching #AthleteDevelopment #CricketFitness #StrengthAndConditioning #YouthAthletes #PhysicalPreparation #WarmUpMatters #MovementSkills #CricketDevelopment Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices