Rounders Drills

Set Up: 2 teams of 5. The fielding team consists of: bowler, backstop, 2nd post, 3 fielders (1 on 2nd post). The batting box 6 metres away from the bowling box. Pitch set out with posts or cones, spaced out accordingly. The Game: Each innings lasts for 15 good balls. After 5 good balls the fielders rotate.

Split the group into teams of 5. One team throwing the ball around posts. One team running around the posts. The ball starts by the batting square and has to be thrown to post one then 2 then 3 then 4 then back to the batting square. The running team have to run and tag. The first player in the batting square has to run to tag 1st post player this player has to run to release the player at 2nd post etc until the player on the forth post is tagged and runs back to the batting square. Start again when ball and players are back in position again. Best of 5 runs.

Set up: Pitch marked out in the same shape as a normal rounders pitch with cones 6m apart. Split players into two small teams (no more than 5v5). Use a size 4/5 size sponge/plastic ball Rules: The bowler throws the ball underarm with a bounce from the bowling box to the batting box. The batter can hit the ball with any part of their body. Once the batter has hit the ball they then run around the 4 bases. They can stop at any base. The fielders then field the ball into the bowler to stop the batter from running on. Gradually more rules are introduced once the principles of play have been learned.

The aim of the game is to make 10 catches by a team without getting caught whilst holding the ball by the other team. If a player is touched the ball goes to the other team and they try to achieve 10 catches. First team to take the 10 catches whilst staying in the grid wins. Players can run with the ball and if they do run out the grid the ball goes to the other side as well as if the ball is dropped.

Set up 3 small teams and 3 hoops. The hoops should be placed an equal distance apart with several balls in each (dependant on number of players). The aim of this game is to get rid of all the balls in your hoop one by one by moving them to another team's hoop. Players must carry the ball and place it inside the other team's hoop (no throwing or rolling the ball).

Set up in 2's with 1 bat and ball. Player B must stand opposite to player A, so that they can see the end of the bat when the batters arm is fully outstretched. The aim of the game is for player A to hit the ball into space, and both players race to retrieve the ball first. Player B is in charge of the drill. They shout "CLEAR". On hearing this call player A self feeds the ball and hits it safely into space. Whoever reaches the ball first is the next player to hit the ball. If you get to the ball 3 times in a row you win a point.

When a right hander bowls towards a left hander it is important that the bowler moves to the edge of the bowling square.

Teams of 4 try and throw the ball across a pitch as quickly as possible, not missing any players out. The first team to throw the ball 10 times across the pitch is the winner.

Ask the players to spread themselves and have 1 ball for the players to throw or roll the ball to each other. The player in the middle has to try and catch the player in possession of the ball. or get to the ball before a player does if it is badly thrown.

Split your group into two teams: A throwing team and a fielding team. The fielders have to put one player by each post and the rest in the field. Players from the other team have 1 ball each. Each player from the throwing team has to come into the batting square and call out which base they are going to run to. Immediately after call out they must then throw the ball to one of the fielders after which they have to try and beat the ball to the post. The ball then gets thrown back to the square for the next player to call, throw and run.

Knees bent, ball released inside the square and shoulders and hip in line. Look for a good pendulum motion when bowling. The ball should reach the recipient between knee and the top of their head height, otherwise it will be classed as a no ball.

Setup: 4 players stand in a diamond with 3 balls. A 5th player stands in the middle. To start the drill 1 of the outside players throw their ball to the player in the middle who has to return the ball the player who did not have a ball before the ball was thrown. The middle player then rotates to receive the next ball and the drill continues in this way.