Coaching online with Trolls – when did opinion become judgement?
Usually, I'd be setting up my tripod and hitting record to respond to online happenings, but this time, I want to address the pathetic nature of trolls and the impact they can have in my first ever blog. Trust me I tried to film it, however no matter what I try I end up going on a rant and using, lets just say, ‘indifferent language’.
In my stint as a cricket coach, I've faced being looked down upon by more experience or senior coach’s, pigeonholed, laughed at, and publicly disrespected and mocked all before entering the world of social media. That’s where the fun truly begins.
Being different, inventive, and creative sparks discussions and opinions in any field, but on social platforms, it often invites abuse, harassment, and ridicule. That unfortunately is the way the world works, and simple minds think. It’s easier to pass judgement before actively engaging the idea that what is happening in front of them could soon become the norm. Despite my intention to educate and entertain, my increased postings and popularity seems to attract more keyboard warriors, eager to share their 'expert' opinions. I appreciate and have always openly welcomed constructive criticism, but terms like "money grabber," "terrible coach," and the amusing "clueless boy" aren't exactly productive, are they??
Online attacks have become routine for me, I have had to monitor my mental health because of it and I’m proud to say that it no longer affects me, well maybe a little or I wouldn’t be writing this? However, when comments target the players I'm coaching, it's crossing a line. It's disheartening to witness grown adults hurling abuse at young players trying to improve themselves in a brief video, a snippet of a longer process that takes time, detail and huge amounts of hard work. Most of my videos include vulnerable moments in players' techniques, precisely why I'm working with them. Half of these issues could be resolved if these so called critics bothered to read the post's caption. Nevertheless, guessing where these people get most of their information from given the poor spelling and grammar in many hateful posts, reading beyond 280 characters seems a little doubtful.
Last week, a single post reached over 2 million people globally. While most of the feedback was positive, numerous negative comments attacked both me and an under-11 cricketer. The drill aimed at enhancing hand-eye coordination, reactions, and decision-making was criticized as a potential hazard even linking it to the tragic death of Phil Hughes. Just to be clear the drill involved hitting tennis balls, off a crazy catch ramp, with a stump….seriously dangerous stuff! Even before this incident, a well known coach who is very active on social media sent me a DM simply reading "what the actual f•••" on a story of a young female’s training session, which was then swiftly deleted. It's a testament to how people are quick to criticise anonymously but lack the courage to do it ‘face-to-face’ regardless of who they are or their status.
My plea is simple: focus your attention, criticisms and nasty comments on me and my teaching rather than attacking the athletes I train. While these misinformed individuals seem to have problems extending way beyond my cricket coaching, and I may view them at times as lacking integral strength, and moral courage, my response will continue to be one of understanding towards these obviously isolated, misguided, and hate-filled people.
This blog will become an outlet for me and my honest thoughts and opinions. I will write about how I feel in current matters both in coaching and world cricket in general. I will continue to deliver my style and brand of coaching with positivity, excitement and enjoyment. I will encourage players to keep challenging themselves to become better and never stop promoting the concept that cricket is a game to played and loved.
Oh, and of course to always…#BACyourself
