Cricket | Catching Drills

2 teams of 4 players. Players 2 and 3 stand back to back and opposite their partner, players 1 and 4, about 5 metres apart, gradually increasing the distance to 10 metres. The rules are that you are not allowed to move with the ball. You must throw under arm to your partners waist. Commands from the coach. "Inside" - players on the inside (2 and 3) switch positions. "Outside" - players on the outside (1 and 4)run to their right and switch positions. "Partner switch" - switch positions with your partner, remember, you can't move with the ball. "Group switch" - player without the ball switches into another group of 4. "Ball switch" - the player with the ball makes eye contact with another group and then switches their ball. The aim is to enhance the players throwing and catching skills. To develop the drill vary the height of the throw i.e. to the knee or shoulder. Vary the speed of the delivery.

** 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.

**AUDIO DESCRIPTION ON** Players create a circle around a central stump, and line up with a partner on the opposite side of the circle. Players swap knee height catches with their partner, throwing the ball in the direction of the stump. Catcher should be ready to react if the ball clips the stump.

Get your players to work with with one ball in groups of 3. The player with the ball stands behind the other two players, who have their back to him. On the command of "Now" the player with the ball throws the ball. The two catchers have to turn quickly and try and catch the ball before it bounces. Rotate players after 10 throws.

Player 2 throws the ball straight-up, player 1 runs in and catches before returning the ball back to player 2. Player 1 continues to run around the cone, and receives another high feed from player 2. On catching th ball player 1 takes up 2s original position before the next person in the queue starts.

1) rolls ball out a short distance. 2) runs in, underarm flicks to 1) who catches ball. 1) puts ball down, runs back and tags 3) then 2) rolls ball out. Repeat process until all have had a go.

Players take it in turns to take a catch at each distance, between the two cones (increase/decrease distance in relation to your players' age). The catching player must work from the starting cone and work their way inwards. Once a successful cacth is taken, the player drops the ball and proceeds forward to take the next one.

Create a mini-pitch for every two players. In the picture there are 4 pairs and 4 pitches. Players must try and throw and catch the ball a set number of times consecutively, without making a mistake. Every time they drop the ball they should start counting from 1 again. The set number and distance between players depends on their ability. When a pair reaches the set number (say 5 for beginners) the pair can move to the next pitch and the players on that pitch move down (both pairs start from 1 again).

Players work in pairs with 1 ball. They start very close together and with every successful throw and catch the thrower can take a step back increasing the distance between the players.

This drill is best perfromed in two groups of 6-8 players. Set up the two cones 7 metres apart. The first player walks in to the 'goal' and sets up to take the catch. The coach hits the catch to the player, who has to move to either their right or left. Once caught the ball is returned to the coach and the player that has taken the catch returns to the back of the line.

The ball is thrown wide of the leg stump so the wicket keeper has to move to the left to complete the catch.