Sam Lavery, Cricket Professional at Portsmouth Grammar School, has been wondering about specialising as a coach.

In a world where cricket is dominated by big money T20 tournaments and the draw of international cricket, many coaches see specialising at the best way to the top.

Does becoming a power hitting coach, a wicketkeeping specialist or a spin bowling guru enhance your chances of working in the IPL?

Or in committing to walking down one avenue, are you missing out on knowledge and experiences that could help you become a more rounded, knowledgeable coach, equipped to offer more ideas to more people? Should we strive to be all things to all people. Gaining, if not expertise, an awareness across the board?

What kind of role suits you?

Often a coach with a broader knowledge is better in a leadership role: Where an awareness of multiple disciplines is vital but specialist expertise in something quite niche isn't so necessary to their role.

It's often been said of Arsene Wenger, that while he surrounds himself with specialists from a number of fields related to football, he's more than capable of bouncing ideas back and forth with all of them due his breadth as well as depth of knowledge.

What level are you coaching?

While the average cricket club would love to have specialists come in work with the quicks, the spinners, the keepers, fielders and power hitter, that's just not realistic, so try to develop a wide range of knowledge so you can have a positive impact on all of your players.

If, however, you've found yourself on the fringe of the professional game and maybe you're struggling to secure a leadership position, as a head coach or similar then specialising could be your stepping stone.

Ex-Hampshire cricketer and friend of PitchVision Julian Wood, is an excellent example of someone who established himself as a coach within school cricket. Then forged his own angle on coaching, focussing on power hitting methods. This has elevated him to a position of international batting consultant with the ECB.

Where do you aim?

Without doubt the basics across the board are still going to stand any coach in good stead. Develop a basic awareness of human movement across disciplines. Establish good lifestyle principles for your players. Try to be aware of simple analysis processes, basic psychology and physical fitness.

All of these fundamentals will contribute to your ability to perform any role coaching within the game.

However, as someone once said to me.

"Do what you really want to do. If you really enjoy something and immerse yourself in it, then chances are you'll do OK."

It may well have been a simple throw away comment, but I'm sure you'll agree there's value in it.