Cricket: The quick singles game

All fielders except the wicket keeper and the player backing up must stand on the boundary between the cones until the ball is bowled. (Coach keeps hold of the ball when feeding every so often, to check whether fielders are moving too early).

The Ball must be driven towards the target area, along the ground, and not defended. It must pass the first set of cones or the batsman is out. The batsman must complete 2 runs after striking the ball. The ball must be hit in the V to score runs. If it is hit outside that area or behind the wicket the batsman is out. (Give younger players another feed.)

The wicket keeper must take incoming throws to the stumps either side of the original ones. Off side shots must be thrown to stumps on the off side (safety) and likewise on the leg side. Scoring: (Batsman bat one at a time):
4 runs if the ball is hit through the target area along the ground.
2 runs if the ball is hit towards the boundary and the batsman completes 2 runs.
Penalty runs
2 runs if a fielder stops the ball with his foot.
1 run if a fielder move off the boundary too early.
4 runs if the player backing up the wicket keeper misses the ball (when boundary is not hit).

Ways of getting out: Bowled, caught, stumped, run out (no LBW). Also: not completing 2 runs after hitting the ball (unless boundary is hit); hitting the ball outside the V; not hitting the ball past the first set of cones; hitting the ball over the fielders on the boundary.

11 fielders (including 1 bowler and wicket keeper), with 2 players batting and two padded up, waiting to bat.

The 2 batters have one over to chase the target score successfully.

If the players lose one wicket, they have 5 runs added to the required total. If they lose two wickets, they are both out.

Their first over target score is 6 runs, then if successful, this increases by 1 every over. (6, 7, 8 and so on...)

If players are unsuccessful in the run chase, they are out, and the next two batters come in.

Bowlers rotate ends they are bowling from and fielders should be encouraged to get between the overs quickly.

When the drill is started both teams roll the ball to each other in the same direction (can be clockwise or anti-clockwise).

The aim of the game is for the ball from one team to overtake the ball from the other team.

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