Divide the main group into smaller groups of 4 and set up as shown. The ball is thrown to the wicket keepers (person in the middle) right or left for them to dive onto the mats. The two players behind the mats are back-up fielders.
Stance: Slightly crouched and weight to the off side of the batter.
Weight: On the balls of feet and slightly forward.
Head and body should be behind the ball when making the catch.
Ensure the keeper's outside foot opens slightly when wanting to push off in a particular direction. This allows their hips to open, and makes the sideways movement easier.
August is when seasons are decided, and most club games are lost chasing rather than setting. Give your batters a framework for the chase and you win the close ones.
Green July pitches and a shiny Dukes mean the ball is talking. Here is how to coach your batters to survive the moving ball, trust their defence, and cash in once the shine has gone.
A bowling change can dismantle a partnership, halt a run surge, or hand the match back to the batting side. This article explores how modern captains use match phases, matchup data, and rhythm signals to time their changes, with a practical framework coaches can use to develop tactical thinking in young captains at club and age-group level.