Cricket: The quick singles game

1) drop feeds to 2) who hits the ball on the second bounce. 3) and 4) get the rebound, 6 hits per person and then swap around. Variations As above but with a staright drive and 3) & 4) move accordingly. As above, but an on drive, and 3) & 4) move accordingly.

Set up two nets with 4-6 players assigned to each. Each net has a different type of bowler (spin, fast, leg etc.) Each batsman gets 12-15 minutes in the nets, they must play the ball back towards the bowler. On the 3rd ball they have to run up to a marked point on the net and then back to the crease again.

In two nets you have one devoted to spin bowling and the other to seam. With 6 people in each net you will have two batsmen and 4 bowlers. Spend 12/15 mins in each net alternating between the two. For the batsmen after every 3rd ball struck they have to run and swap with their partner who is at the other end. For shorter periods of time, make it either every shot swap or every other shot, or give a time period to bat.

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.

Each team starts with a score of 200 runs. Batsmen can be out in the usual ways, and also: (a) by hitting the ceiling of the hall, (b) by being caught off the walls, except when hitting a 6. The batsmen have unlimited wickets, if you are out you deduct 6 off the teams score. Scoring runs works in the following way : Back wall along the ground, score 4. Back wall in the air, score 6 (can not be caught off the back wall). Side walls, score 2 plus any additional singles that are run. Back wall behind the stumps, score 1 plus any additional singles that are run. Wides, byes and leg byes score 1 and an extra ball (be lenient with younger players/beginners) No LBW and Coach must always umpire and score. Batsmen bat together in pairs (e.g. four or five overs a pair, depending on time available.) A batsman can be run out at either end. Bowlers bowl six balls per over, always from the same end. Batsmen change ends either at the end of an over or when a wicket falls. All players including wicket keeper rotate clockwise after each over, unless you have a specialist wicket keeper.

Variation of the game - 8 a-side / 6 a-side (normal cricket rules) This game is for adults and more able players. 16-20 overs per side. Normal cricket rules apply, except that batsmen retire at 25 or 30 runs, and can bat again if the whole team are bowled out before the overs are completed (optional rules). 16-over match, no bowler can bowl more than four overs. 20-over match, no bowler can bowl more than five overs.

Split the group into 2 equal groups. 1 team are the batters and the other side are the fielders. Each player on the batting team has 3 attempts to strike either a ball off a T or a dropped ball between the cones. The fielding team stand between the cones and the wall/  boundary. They have to gather the ball and throw it to their wicket keeper who returns the ball to the batter. Batters can be caught or run out.

2 teams of 3-6 play with 1 ball between them. The player who has the ball has to try and roll (under arm throw) the ball into the end zone to score a run. The opposition can try to prevent this happening by stopping the ball rolling into the end zone using the long barrier or other fielding techniques. Whichever player collects the ball has to try and throw the ball from where they have collected it into the other end zone.

Players take it in turns to throw the ball at stumps around in a square. If they hit the stumps the direction is reversed and the ball is thrown the other way. the ball should be thrown over arm and tried to keep in the square shape. A long barrier can be used to stop the ball go to far.

  With a bowling machine set to a certain length. The batsmen play tip and run. They can be given out when they are run out, caught or bowled out. If you hit an attacking shot you only get 1 run.

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

Two teams with the coach bowling. All batters have 4 balls. Each wicket that falls means that team loses four runs. Catch after 1 bounce = out. Players bat until they are out but must retire at 20 runs (optional). Runs are only awarded if the ball is played through the cones. If the ball is wide, or left, then the batter may have another ball.

Setup the practice as shown. Coach throws on one knee. 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.

Setup as shown. As teams (6 a-side) (A) Each batsman has 6 balls. If he is out he scores -4. When all the batsman have batted they switch to fielding. (B) Each batsman has 4-6 balls. If he is out the next batsman comes in. If the batsman is not out he returns to the back of the queue of waiting batsman, until it is his turn again. The last batsman has unlimited balls. If a batsman hits a 4 another ball is added. As individuals (8-10 players) (A) Each individual bats until he is out. When a batsman is given out, all the fielders move clockwise one round from their previous position. (B) Each individual batsman has 6-8 balls. If he is out he scores -4. When a batsman is given out, all the fielders move clock-wise one round from their previous position.

Organisation: Divide the group into 2 equal teams. Organise as shown in the diagram,set target for off drives only. Ball is served (on batters command of ready!) from the second cone infront of batter. Each player has 3 attempts to strike the ball. Fielders positioned between cones and boundary gather the ball and return to wicket keeper. An alternative method to execute a run out is for the wicket keeper to stand in a circle and instead of breaking the wicket when a ball is returned, simply to bounce the ball in the circle. Scoring: 1 run is scored if the ball passes between cones at fielders end, or is travelling in the correct direction when it is intercept (fielders remain behind the cones until the ball is hit). 3 runs are scored if ball passes between cones and batter runs around the cone and back again before the wicket keeper catches the fielders return and breaks the wicket. Direct hits count. 4 runs are scored if ball reaches boundary wall and any extra runs completed. Batters may be caught or run out. Team with the most runs wins. Equipment: 1 bat and 1 tennis ball, set of wickets, 4 marker cones, and chalk markings.

Set-up the pitch as shown. Use three sets of stumps Position incoming batsmen behind the wickets and safe from incoming throws and drives hit by the batsmen. Coach stands 15 paces away from the batsmen. Fielders must be at least 15 metres away from the batsman.

Teams (6-8 a side). Each batsman has 6 balls. If he is out he scores -4. When all the batsmen have batted they switch to fielding. Each batsman has 4-6 balls. If he is out the next batsman comes in. If the batsman is not out, he returns to the back of the queue of waiting batsmen until it is his turn again. The batting team bats until all the batsmen are out. The last batsman has unlimited number of balls. If a batsman hits a 4 another ball is bowled. Individual Rules - Each individual bats until he is out. Once a batsman is out, all the fielders move clockwise, one round from their previous position. (B) Each individual batsman has 6-8 balls. If he is out he scores -4.

Teams of 6-8 a side are split into two teams; batsmen and fielders. Each batsman has 6 balls to score as many runs as possible within the coned area only. If they are out they lose their runs and score -4 runs. When all the batsmen have batted they switch to fielding. If a batsman is not out they return to the back of the queue of the waiting batsman. The batting team bats until all the batsman are out.

Setup the game as shown. The coach throws from approximately 10 paces away. Mark the front foot and back foot target areas on the floor with chalk or markers. Use markers for fielders to stand on or next to. Make sure that the batsman does not bat for too long (e.g. retire at 20) Position all markers so the batsman can just about run a single without being run out.

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