Technical work is called "work" for a reason: It's hard and boring. But it doesn't have to be.

That's according to ECB coach Iain Brunnschweiler, a man who knows a thing or two about creating engaging coaching sessions that improve players. He's made coaching courses about it!

So how do you make your drills fun without compromising?

As with so much in life, it's all about balance. We know from research that the best way to get better is with deliberate practice. Often this is repeating the same drill again and again, trying to power through the aching dullness.

But we also know that we play our best when we are in that state often called The Zone, or flow: enjoying the challenge and being in the moment. If you can practice in ways that are challenging enough without getting boring you can tap into that experience.

Of course, there is still a a place for the "deliberate practice" drill, especially when you are learning or honing techniques. But simply injecting some fun too will make everything better.

An example is Brunchy's week 4 coaching plan in his series.

The theme is technical improvement, and if you follow the session plan you will see there is room for technical work on throwing and on straight bat shots.

All good stuff.

But there is also an element of fun. There is competition and games. The games are adaptable to the skill level of the players to keep it a challenge.

There's no doubt you would walk away from this session feeling technically better, but you would also have had some fun. And if you have fun, you are more likely to train longer. Which will in turn make you better.

Brunchy even uses these drills with professional players - not because they are leaning on natural talent and need no technical work - because they train every day and need to mix in fun and competition to stay motivated and stop all those boring hours hitting balls in nets has a light at the end of the tunnel.

So, by all means do your drills. They are important. But also make sure to to inject some fun.

It's one change that will make cricket feel less like work and more like success.