Behind the Stumps, Not Behind the Scenes
In many cricket environments — from junior teams to club squads — wicket keepers are often left to coach themselves. Coaches spend time with batters, analyse bowlers, and organise fielding drills, yet the keeper, who plays a central role in every delivery, is frequently overlooked.
This article aims to help coaches recognise the importance of wicket keeper coaching, even if they’re not specialists. Whether you’re managing under-13s or senior players, there are practical, impactful ways to give your keepers the attention and development they deserve — both technically and mentally.
Why Wicket Keepers Deserve More Coaching Attention
Keepers influence the game constantly — not just through catches or stumpings, but also by setting the tone in the field. They are involved in every ball. A sharp piece of glove work can shift momentum; a dropped chance can cost a match.
Yet, many coaches don’t feel confident coaching wicket keepers. That’s understandable. If you weren’t a keeper yourself, or haven’t had formal training, you may not know where to start. But ignoring the role isn’t the answer — especially in youth and club cricket where players are still developing core skills.
As with any player, keepers benefit from structured feedback, encouragement, and meaningful practice time.
How to Coach a Wicket Keeper (Even If You’re Not a Specialist)
You don’t need to be a keeping expert to make a real difference. Here are some easy, effective ways to support your wicket keeper:
1. Watch Them Keep – Not Just Bat
Too often, coaches only observe keepers when they’re batting. Make time during fielding drills or matches to focus on their keeping technique. Look at their positioning, glove work, and movement patterns, and offer positive reinforcement or gentle correction.
2. Include Keeper-Specific Drills
Even five minutes per session can go a long way. Try:
- Reaction time drills with tennis balls or deflection boards
- Footwork exercises using cones or hurdles
- Standing up to the stumps practice with medium-paced bowlers
3. Make Them Part of Tactical Conversations
Involve your keeper when discussing field placements or bowling plans. This builds leadership, awareness, and accountability — qualities that elevate both individual and team performance.
4. Offer Mindset Support
Mistakes happen — and for keepers, they’re often public. Help them develop mental resilience by:
- Teaching reset routines between deliveries
- Encouraging visualisation techniques
- Normalising the pressure of “being involved every ball”
If you’re unsure how to support the mental game, that’s where professional help can come in (more on that below).
Supporting the Mental Side of Wicket Keeping
Wicket keeping is mentally demanding. High concentration, fast decision-making, and constant communication make it one of the toughest roles in cricket. This is particularly true for junior players who are still building emotional regulation and self-belief.
Use your coaching platform to:
- Encourage resilience after mistakes
- Reinforce positive body language
- Promote focus and confidence under pressure
- Celebrate effort, not just outcome
Even a simple “I saw how hard you worked behind the stumps today” can mean a lot.
And if your keeper struggles with confidence, mindset coaching can help. At Cricket Mind Online, we specialise in supporting both players and coaches with the physical and psychological demands of performance — helping you create better communicators, leaders, and performers.
What to Include in a Wicket Keeping Coaching Session
If you’re building a session or season plan, here are a few essentials to include:
- Wicket keeper warm-up routines (shadow movement, low catches)
- Drills for footwork and glove work
- Short bursts of high-intensity catching practice
- Game-like drills where the keeper must make decisions
- Opportunities to lead warm-ups or fielding units
Even just integrating wicket keeper drills into team training — rather than tacking them on at the end — signals to your keeper that their role matters.
Shift the Mindset: From Afterthought to Asset
It’s time to move away from the idea that only batting and bowling need structured coaching. Wicket keepers are specialist athletes. Ignoring their development is a missed opportunity — not just for them, but for your whole team.
By giving your keepers the attention they deserve, you:
- Improve overall fielding skills
- Create more confident communicators
- Reduce extras and errors
- Build trust and team spirit
Most importantly, you show that every role in cricket is worth coaching — and that’s a hallmark of a great coach.
