Cricket: Group coaching for the back foot drives

The coach calls bat up before feeding the ball for the batsman to drive the ball through the v shaped cones.

If the batsman leaves the ball they get another ball. If they play and miss they do not. If players deliberately play cross-batted shots on leg side they lose that round. (Be strict on this point).

If players hit the ball into the air, over the fielders, it does not count and they lose that ball. Make the last round competitive: who can hit all balls through target area along the ground? Fielders must stop the ball. On the competitive round, if a player gets out, all change round.

Set up the practice as shown in the diagram. Make sure that the bowler feeds the ball in over arm and gets the ball to bounce to waist height.

The Batsman then plays a back foot drive and tries to aim to hit the ball through the cones.

In the first round of 8-10 players must play every other shot with the top hand only. Make the last round competitive: try to survive all 8-10 balls without getting out.

If you are out, change round. On the practice round, players get another ball if one goes wide. On the competitive round, have 8-10 balls whether players leave the ball or play and miss.

If a player deliberately plays an attacking shot he loses that round of 8-10 balls. (Be strict on this point).

(see c50031 & c50031b for more info)
HOOK
For this shot wear a helmet for safety and realism.

(A) Feed a one-bounce dart feed from standing up (throw the feed with pace so it bounces between chest and head height); or (B) field from one knee, underarm throw upwards, around shoulder height (no bounce).

In a small sports hall
Hit into a wall and fielders will get the rebound or catch. Important - no fielders within the target area. Batsman stands at least 8 metres from the wall.

Outside or in a large sports hall
Fielders stand within the target area. At least 15 metres from the batsman.