Cricket clubs around the world are dealing with the same issues. Sometimes it's nice to see how someone else does it within those common constraints.

One example is Stirling County Cricket Club, a thriving Scottish side. I caught up with Head Coach Ian Shaw to find out how a modern coach approaches the club game.

Stirling are lucky to have great resources in the club game; 2 Saturday league teams, a Sunday team, a Twenty20 team, ladies XI and an age group setup at all levels until Under 15. Combined with twice a week summer training, and some lovely facilities there is a lot of cricket going on!

Like all clubs, there are a variety of motivations to play from informal fun to performance. The limitations of time mean that coaches have a laser focus on what they want to develop.

Analysis at club level

One of the keys to this development has been an increase in the amount of analysis done by the coach. Averages are still important, but other key indicators of performance have also crept into the club.

Specifically Ian - alongside joint Head Coach Kari Carswell - has looked at tracking:

• Wides and no balls: With the aim of taking the results to practice to work on reducing extras.
• Percentage of dot balls per batsman: To try and develop a "strike rotation" mentality rather than block/hit.

These numbers are taken into practice sessions and applied through various drills and methods to create a stronger, more specific link between practice and matches.

For example, to help with running, players have been asked to use every third ball in nets to work a single rather than just defend it or try and smash a four.

Self-supporting players

All this planning is great, but without buy in from the players it is easy to fall on deaf ears. If you are a player who just wants a run out on Sunday afternoon you are unlikely to care about dot ball percentage!

That's why Ian and Kari look to create players who are self-supporting.

The pair puts the onus on players to be motivated to their own level. If you want to improve, Ian and Kari are there to provide support, ideas and analysis to bring your game up a level. If you prefer to play as a break from real life, you can carry on without interference from coaches.

Young cricketers are brought into adult practice as soon as they are ready to challenge their development.

Every amateur club has this dilemma, and it's up to the club itself to manage player motivations.

Coach-captain relationship

The relationship between a coach and club captain is pretty new in cricket. It's certainly different from the way it works at the professional level.

The way Stirling handle things is simple and - in my mind - very sensible at club level. The coaches runs practice, coaching techniques and sorting out the analysis. The captain has control on match day. They communicate to make sure that practice best matches game day tactics and then they get on with their jobs in the time available.

Overall, Stirling County seem to have a great handle on things. They are still looking to improve and - like all clubs - are limited in both time and motivation to develop players, but work well within these constraints.

How does your club handle these challenges?