Cricket: The quick singles game

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

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.

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.

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.