Finding a bowling coach is easy. Finding the right one takes a bit more digging. A quick search for “cricket bowling coach near me” will bring up plenty of names, but not all coaching is the same, and not all coaches offer the same level of support.
Before you book a session, it helps to know exactly what you are paying for. This guide walks through the key things to check, so you can pick a coach who actually suits what you or your child needs.
Start with the coach’s qualifications
Anyone can call themselves a cricket coach, but not everyone holds a recognised qualification. In England and Wales, coaches are usually trained through the ECB pathway, which runs from entry level courses right up to advanced and specialist awards. You can see the different levels and what each one covers on the ECB coaching courses page.
As a simple rule, the higher the qualification level, the more technical detail a coach should be able to spot and correct. That matters a lot for bowling, where small changes to action, alignment or run-up can affect both performance and safety.
Before booking, it is worth asking a coach directly what level they hold and how long they have been coaching bowling specifically, rather than cricket in general.
Check whether the coaching happens indoors or outdoors
Weather has a bigger effect on bowling practice than most people expect. Rain, wind and poor light can all cut a session short or change how it runs. Indoor coaching removes that problem, giving you a consistent surface and lighting all year round.
Indoor sessions also make it easier for a coach to focus purely on technique, without having to think about pitch conditions or setting a field. If you are comparing local options, our one to one and small group cricket coaching page explains how indoor sessions are structured at HECC, including how coaches are matched to players by age and ability.
Ask if video analysis is included
Bowling actions are hard to judge in real time, even for experienced coaches. A lot of technical faults, such as a dropped front arm or a mistimed release, are much easier to spot on video, especially in slow motion.
Some coaches include this as standard, while others treat it as an extra. It is worth asking upfront whether footage will be reviewed during the session or afterwards, and whether you will receive any written or verbal feedback to take away. Our video analysis service is one example of how this can work, with footage reviewed by a coach and turned into practical feedback the player can act on.
Think about group size and how it affects attention
A coach working with one player can focus entirely on that player’s action. A coach running a group session is managing several bowlers at once, which naturally means less individual feedback per person.
Neither approach is wrong, but they suit different goals. The table below sets out some of the main differences to think about when choosing between them.
| What to consider | One to one coaching | Small group coaching |
|---|---|---|
| Individual feedback | High, focused entirely on one player | Shared across the group |
| Cost per session | Higher | Usually lower per player |
| Good for | Fixing a specific technical issue | Building confidence alongside others |
| Pace of learning | Set entirely by the player | Set by the group |
Look at how a session is actually structured
A good bowling session should have some shape to it, rather than just bowling ball after ball with occasional comments. Ask what a typical session looks like. Does it start with a warm up? Is there a clear focus for the day, such as run-up rhythm or seam position? Is there time built in to review what has been worked on?
Coaches who can explain their session structure clearly are usually the ones who have thought it through properly, rather than making it up as they go.
Get in touch before you commit
The best way to know if a coach is the right fit is to ask questions before booking. Find out about their qualifications, how sessions are run, whether video analysis is available, and what facilities they use. Most coaching providers, including HECC, are happy to talk this through before you commit to a course of sessions.
If you would like to ask about coaching options, indoor availability or video analysis, you can contact us and a member of the team will be able to help.
Choosing a bowling coach is a decision worth taking a little time over. A short conversation now can save you booking sessions that do not suit your goals later on.