Cricket: Group coaching for the front foot drives

6-12 people needed. Player (6) starts by rolling the ball out to (5) who runs in and throws ball to the (WK). Coach now throws (5) a flat catch as he runs towards the stumps where (6) was feeding from. (6) now joins back of queue.

12 players per group. One stump placed in the middle of a rectangular shape marked out by cones (20m by 30m). Each cone has same number of players at it. All stations are live every time coach rolls ball out. Coach may roll ball out anywhere they wish. The nearest player at the cone must call for the ball, pick it up, and throw at the stump. The players from the opposite group in the rectangle are responsible for backing the throw up and returning to the coach. If the coach rolls the ball down the middle of the two cones the player must decide who goes for the ball as early as possible, to allow the group backing up to adjust accordingly. Drill continues...

The coach throws on one knee with a football style throw in, which the batsmen have to defend by hitting back through the cones, with 6 balls each.

Two teams pass the ball to their team mates with an overarm throw which must bounce only once and then must be caught. Using the throws to advance towards the opposition's grid players must not step inside the grid. When they get close enough they can throw at the stumps. If they miss a team mate can run around the back of the stumps to catch the ball. If caught that team can have another shot, if the opposition catch the ball they then move back up the field to the opposition's grid.

Set up for the practice 1. Set up the practice as shown in the diagram. 2. Target area: 10 metres away from the batsman - safety. 3. Target area 10-15 metres wide. Fielders stand between markers.NOTE: For better players target area should be further away and more narrow. 4. Mark out parallel lines on the floor to show line and length of the ball. 5. Ideal numbers for groups is 4-6 players - Maximum activity. 6. Thrower stands 10-12 paces from the batsman. 7. Thrower says Bat up!, then throws a bobble ball, which bounces more than twice below the batsmans knee height. (Underarm feed standing up.) 8. Each group has 3 balls. 9. Ideal duration of the practice: 25-35 mins.

The wicket keeper rolls the ball out for the players from each side to run onto and pick up. The fielding players run from each side in turns and try to hit the stumps with a fast throw. The keeper then collects the ball and rolls it out again for a player from the other side to run onto.

Cones are set out as a gate, in the point fielding position and extra cover fielding position. Players split into 2 groups in each of the gates. Coach will position themselves at the strikers end stump with a bat.  Coach will serve himself and strike a ball towards the point or extra cover gate.  Receiving player will catch or gather the ball, return it to the coach and join the back of the queue. This drill can be played as a competition, coach vs players. For every clean catch or gather, the players receive a point and for every misfield, the coach will receive a point.

The wicket keeper rolls the ball out around the side of the stumps. Fielders run from the left first, then right (then left...) to receive the ball and throw it back over the top of the stumps. Competition: An opposition wicket keeper rolls 5 balls out to try and score goals past the opposition's line of fielders. The winners are the ones who stop the most balls.

Two players per team, stood about 4-5 metres apart between two cones (the goal). Both teams must try to protect their goals by stopping the opposition from throwing the ball through their goal. Using only underarm throws players must try and score in their opponent's goal. A goal is awarded every time their opponent either drops the ball or fails to prevent it passing between their cones.

Pairs stand 3 to 4 metres apart between a pair of cones (their goal). By throwing the ball underarm, below waist height, players must try to get the ball through their opponent's cones. Players score a point every time their opponent either drops the ball or fails to prevent it passing between their cones.

** AUDIO DESCRIPTION ON ** Drill can work with a mininum of 3 players and 1 feeder. Can add more pairs sharing catches if you have more numbers. Coach/feeder will use the ramp to send 4 consecutive catches to a player opposite. Inbetween that, players will pair up and swap catches whilst the coach is sending the 4 catches. Players rotate once the 4 catches have been taken.

Exercise for two teams against each other trying to score the most points. All players must throw the ball under arm and are not allowed to run with the ball. To score the ball must bounce in the small square and then caught by one of their team mates on the opposite side before it bounces again to get the point.

The wicket keeper feeds the ball straight out, along the ground, to the fielders who take it in turns to retrieve the ball. Player's who run from the wicket-keeper's left should throw the ball back to the keeper with their left-hand and those from the right throw with their right-hand.

**AUDIO DESCRIPTION ON**   Standing in pairs the thrower will put their non-throwing arm across their body The throwing elbow then rests on top of their non-throwing arm Receiving player will catch the ball and repeat back to their partner

**AUDIO DESCRIPTION ON** The player starts in a power position with feet aligned to target The players' front leg steps over the hurdle, ensuring it keeps pointing towards the intended target Receiving player collects the ball and repeats the drill

Organisation: Divide the group into pairs. Organise the practice as shown in the diagram. Aim is to beat partner, using underarm throw. One point is given for every time the ball passes between the markers. Equipment: 1 ball per pair, 4 marker cones per pair.

1) runs out and picks up the stationary ball and throws over top to 2). 2) rolls the ball back out to 1), 1) replaces it and joins the back of the queue. When 1) tags 2), 2) then goes, 3) takes up position behind stumps. This can be done in a race against another group.

The batsman calls 'yes' to start the drill and tries to run 2 lengths whilst the fielder (player 1) runs out to meet the stationary ball, picks it up and throw it back to the wicket keeper (thus trying to run out the batter). The coach decides which team has won and both players return to the back of their respective lines. Drill continues in this way.

Organisation: Each player has a ball which is thrown at a target on the wall. As the ball rebounds, the ball is fielded using long barrie. In restricted space players may operate in pairs. Equipment: 1 ball per player. Firm wall surface. This can be done in teams who can race eachother.

Set up 4 stations with equal numbers at each. The idea of the drill is that players work with diagonal 'opposite' teamates. Players 1 retireves the ball first and player 3 runs out to the stumps to back up the throw. Let's play: Coach rolls the ball straight out. A player from team 1 attacks the ball and throw it over the top of the stumps in the middle to a team 3 player who has run out to back up the throw. The backing up player must then turn, and throw at the single stump with a direct hit. Both players then join the back of their original groups and the other two teams can now go. After 6 repetitions the two groups will swap ends.