Cricket: Survival Game

Speed and fitness is vital in the modern game. Develop your players athletic ability to take every run, save every boundary and take the best catch they can when the chance comes.

When the batsman (1) calls Yes the coach rolls the ball towards the fielder stood by the stumps.

Fielder (1) runs across, picks up the ball and then tries to run out the batsmen.

Repeat with the next fielder and batsman.

Each batting team has a certain number of wickets (eg. 3 wickets). The teams change over once the batting side have lost all their wickets.

10-12 players are needed for singles cricket and players should pair up so that they can bat and bowl in pairs.

Each pair has 1-2 wickets, once these have been used those players are out.

The rules change depending on how many runs are scored. If the batsmen have scored between 0 and 15 runs they are allowed 3 good balls in which they must hit the ball and run, otherwise lose a wicket.

If they have scored between 15-30 runs the batsmen have 2 good balls in which they must hit the ball and run, otherwise lose a wicket.

Above 30 runs you must play hit and run, regardless of how the ball comes.

Above 40 runs the batsmen are awarded a bonus, if not out, of 10 runs and then they must retire.

Organisation: Divide the group into groups of 8-10 and organise as shown in the diagram. Each batter bats until dismissed by being bowled, caught directly or after one bounce or by lbw. Batter may leave or play defensively. Any attacking stroke used results in immediate dismissal for safety reasons. Fielders must keep a safe distance from the bat.

Equipment: 1 bat and 1 tennis ball per group. 1 set of stunps. Chalk markings

This game can be played in teams (6-10 a-side) or in pairs (8-10 players).

Rules of the game:

There should be a batter at both ends.

If playing in pairs, give each pair two or three wickets. If playing in teams, when a wicket falls it is the turn of the next batsman. Tip and run, or two or three balls to make a run.

The coach throws either all front foot defence or all back foot defence bowls.

The fielders must stay on the cones or with one hand on the wall until the ball is thrown, otherwise batsmen automatically get a two run bonus.

Ways of getting out:

Bowled, caught, run out, stumped, playing an attacking shot, or failing to score off the limited number of deliveries.

The batsman can only score singles but the boundaries count for overthrows.

Overthrows: side walls = 2 runs, back wall behind wicket keeper = 1 run, front wall = 4 runs (Unless you hit a 4 you can run singles to add to the side and back wall scores.)

If a batsman leaves the ball it does not count and he does not have to run.

If the batsman plays and misses it counts as a delivery