Cricket has always been my favorite sport. Hence during my vacations, I decided to join a cricket coaching which will help me work upon my batting and bowling skills. By practicing for 2 hours daily, my skills have improved significantly.
The strand covered through this task is “activity”.
The learning outcomes covered are:
LO1 – Identify own strengths and develop areas for growth
I was able to identify my strengths and weaknesses during the span of this task. Although I have been playing cricket since my childhood, I never realized that my bowling action wasn’t proper. Hence at the coaching, I worked on my bowling action and also tried working on my spin bowling. I have always been good at batting and I further worked upon my drives and defense. I also identified how good my fielding skills were.
LO2 – Demonstrate that challenges have been undertaken developing new skills
Learning how to play cricket and working on skills is a very challenging task. It required a lot of focus and practice. Working on my batting skills was still easier as compared to working on my bowling skills. It took me around 2 weeks to improve my bowling action. Working on my bowling action required a lot of physical strength. I had to strengthen my wrists to get a perfect bowling action. Our instructor made me do many drills for the same. I had never faced any similar challenge. Also, I was assigned as the net leader for a group of 15 people. This made me realize that my management skills are quite strong.
LO4-Commitment to and perseverance in CAS experience
Nothing can mastered within a day or two. Working on weaknesses required a lot of commitment and perseverance. I was often criticized by my fellow players due to my weird bowling action. However, I was committed to getting better at it. Also, long net batting sessions were quite tiring. Still, I was committed to making my drives perfect. I was often appreciated by my coach for my determination.
LO5-Demonstrate skills and benefits of working collaboratively
Cricket is a team sport. Hence, it requires working collaboratively. We were often asked to play matches and we were randomly segregated into 2 teams. This made me get into touch with many new people. This made me realize that no one was perfect. While I was good at batting, some were weak at it. Hence, I taught them how to get better at it. Many of my teammates also helped me achieve a better bowling action. I realized how working in a team helps everyone foster. Working in a team requires strong communication and social skills. It was necessary for me to properly communicate with my teammates and understand their concerns.
LO7-Recognize and consider the ethics of choices and actions
Cricket is known as the sport of gentlemen. However, sledging is something very normal in cricket. Often while playing matches, opponents criticize each other openly so the one who is sledged becomes annoyed. While playing matches at the coaching center, I was often sledged by the opponents. However, I never became annoyed and never replied back. Also, I never sledged any of my opponents because I always wanted to win matches by working hard and not by undermining others. This made me realize how ethics play a major role in taking actions. It is very important for everyone to respect their opponents.
Being determined helped me a lot in achieving what I wanted. I am able to bowl well and bat better now. This activity has helped me in gaining a lot of self-confidence and I now know my capabilities better. These learning will help me throughout my life. Determination will help me in every aspect of life.
