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

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