Cricket Drills

The practice should be setup as shown. Have one player as a wicket keeper and another as fielder. The bowlers take it in turns to bowl, with the fielder calling if the ball was a good line (pitched in the cones) or a good length (pitched level with the red hoop). If the ball pitches in the hoop then the ball is both a good line and length.

The index and middle fingers are placed either side of the seam with the thumb gripping the bottom of the ball. The index and middle finger joints wrap around the ball to keep the ball away from the palm. On release ensure that the seam is kept vertical and that the hand stays behind the ball to create backspin.

For this game you need two teams of between 6-10 players on each side. One team tries to see how many catches they can do in a specified time, whist the other team sees how many people they can get to run around the cone and back.

4 to 8 players per group. Player 1 rolls the ball out to player 2 who shys at the stumps, meanwhile player 1 has moved behind the stumps (backing up), ready to collect the ball. Player 2 then runs to player 1's original position. Player 1 then throws the ball to players 2. Player 1 now joins back of other group on the opposite side. Group B do exactly the same.

When the batsman (1) calls Yes the coach rolls the ball towards the fielder stood by the stumps. Fielder (1) runs across, picks up the ball and then tries to run out the batsmen. Repeat with the next fielder and batsman. Each batting team has a certain number of wickets (eg. 3 wickets). The teams change over once the batting side have lost all their wickets.

The bat should be placed directly between two feet. Ask players now to pick their bat up and set up in their stance, facing you.

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The Coach throws each player 3 balls which they should aim to hit towards the left or right target. If the ball is successfully hit towards the target the batting player must complete 2 runs. If a boundary is hit then the batsman gets another ball. If you leave the ball you get another ball. If you hit behind or outside the coned area you are out (or minus 4 runs)

The feeder, whilst standing performs a high-bouncing delivery to the batsman. The batsman then has to pull this delivery between the 2 cones and has 6 feeds. After his go players then rotate and the next batsman comes into bat. If the ball is left then the batsman may have another go.

**AUDIO DESCRIPTION ON** For the pull shot, coach stands with the bag directly in front of the batsman. Coach applies pressure to the bag, against the hitting direction. Batsman plays a pull shot, striking the bag and holding the pose. For the cut shot, coach stands with the bag at the side of the batsman. Coach applies pressure to the bag, against the hitting direction. Batsman plays a cut shot, striking the bag and holding the pose.

(see c50016a & c50016b for more info) Set up for the practice Think enjoyment minimises boredom and encourages repetition (repetition -> development) 1. Set up practice as shown in diagram. 2. Markers on the floor for fielders to stand on, should be 3 metres from the batsman. Be strict on this point - safety . 3. Mark out the target area for feeder to aim at for the back foot defence. 4. Ideal number for each group is 4-5 players - maximun activity 5. Feeder kneels 7-10 paces from the batsman. 6. Feeder says \"Bat Up!\", then feeds a dart feed , standing up, throwing from head height downwards. The ball should be aimned to bounce once and between the batsman's waist and chest height. 7. Each group has 3 balls. 8. Ideal duration of practice: 20-30 mins.

(see c50024a & c50024b for more info) Set up for the practice Think enjoyment minimises boredom and encourages repetition (repetition -> development) 1. Set up practice as shown in diagram. 2. Markers on the floor for fielders to stand on, should be 3 metres from the batsman. Be strict on this point - safety . 3. Mark out the target area for feeder to aim at for the back foot defence. 4. Ideal number for each group is 4-5 players - maximun activity 5. Feeder kneels 7-10 paces from the batsman. 6. Feeder says \"Bat Up!\", then feeds a dart feed , standing up, throwing from head height downwards. The ball should be aimned to bounce once and between the batsman's waist and chest height. 7. Each group has 3 balls. 8. Ideal duration of practice: 20-30 mins.

(see c50024 & c50024a for more info) Coaching points (in order of importance) For younger players, introduce one point at a time. 1. High backlift over off stump with dominant top hand. (Bottom hand fingers and thumb grip.) 2. Step back and across the crease, getting head and body into line with the ball (eyes level). 3. Weight on back foot, whcih lands parallel to crease (head left forward of the body). 4. With dominant top hand and diamond shape formed with arms, Push bat towards the ball. (Forearms passing close to body.) 5. Strike ball forward of body, directly below eye level. 6. Keep leading elbow high, close to head. 7. Bottom hand fingers and thumb grip. 8. Top hand dominates throughout the shot. 9. Look through the handle of the bat on completion of the shot. (Head directly above hands, and in line with back foot.) Play the ball with soft hands, so it rolls back up the wicket. Aims of the practice To protect the wickets and leave the wide balls; also to defend the ball straight back up the wicket (between the two parallel lines shown in the diagram). This is the furthest point away from the fielders. If you feel you are going to play the ball outside this line on the off side, leave it alone as it is too wide to play at.

Player 2 throws. Each batsman has 3 consecutive balls, then goes to the back of the queue. If you leave a ball you get another go. The ball should be a slow high underarm feed.

Players work in groups of 5, in a grid with 5 cones set up in a zig-zag formation, roughly 7 metres apart. Each player stands on a cone. All players, except for those queueing behind the first cone require balls. On the coach's call player 1, on the first cone, aims to get to collect the ball that has been dropped from shoulder height by the player on the cone in front of them, before the ball bounces twice. This is one pick-up. Player 1 then gives the ball back to the player on the cone, and sets themself before the coach gives the next call. Again the working player aims to get to the next ball before second bounce. This process is repeated until all players have performed 4 pick-ups.

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.