Purpose: To practice the pick up and return running from the left or right.

Description: The coach (c) rolls the ball out for the fielder to runs across, pick up and return the ball to the keeper. After each fielder has thrown from one side, repeat from the other side.

Variations: You can attempt to throw down the stumps instead without a keeper (using a wall or netting to prevent overthrows).

Professional cricketer Chris Tayor took some time recently from his busy schedule to answer some questions from me. We discussed coaching, fitness and club cricket standards.

Hi Chris, can you give us a run down of your experience in cricket?

I had a Professional Contract with Yorkshire for 5 years before moving to Derbyshire for 2 years. I have just recently re-signed for Yorkshire on a 3 year contract. I am a top order batsman and have played over 65 Professional matches.

I'm sitting here writing while eating a sumptuous bowl of berry, cinnamon and vanilla porridge and, get this, the meal is good for my health and my cricket. Now that's nutrition we can all love.

Purpose: Practicing the pick up and underarm throw
Description: The fielder at position A rolls the ball into the middle of the square. The fielder at position B runs in, picks up and underarms the ball to position C and then runs to position C. The fielder at C then rolls the ball out for the fielder at D to field the ball to position A. After rolling the ball the fielder moves around the square on position in order A-D.

As you know I have joined forces with simplycricket to give you a forum for cricket questions and discussion.

I have posted a few articles and want to encourage you to join too. The board is filling with like minded people wanting to improve their game. I want to find you just as much as you have been looking for cricket fitness, coaching and nutrition site.

Picture the scene, a normal summer's day somewhere in England. Let's assume it's not raining for a moment. A group of weary club cricketers have made their way into the tea room for a hearty refuelling. Their whites are grass stained, their brows still glowing with the sweat of a hard afternoon in the field.

If you have ever captained at any level you know how fast cricket can move even if things seem to be going slowly.

The ability to think fast is vital. If you can process a large amount of game information and turn it into a relevant tactical move in a ball or two rather than an over or two it stands to reason you will win more games.

It's possible you may not need as much talent as you thought to become a success on the cricket pitch:

One of my top secret weapons to keeping as up to date as possible is getting the resources from the ECB Coaches Association. If you are an ECB coach you will know what I mean.