Cricket: The Back-Foot Off-Side Driving Game

The coach throws from approximately 10 paces away. Mark the front foot and back foot target areas on the floor with chalk or markers. Use markers for fielders to stand on or next to. Make sure that the batsman does not bat for too long (e.g. retire at 20)

Position all markers so the batsman can just about run a single without being run out.

All fielders except the wicket keeper and the player backing up must stand on the boundary between the cones until the ball is bowled. (Coach keeps hold of the ball when feeding every so often, to check whether fielders are moving too early).

The Ball must be driven towards the target area, along the ground, and not defended. It must pass the first set of cones or the batsman is out. The batsman must complete 2 runs after striking the ball. The ball must be hit in the V to score runs. If it is hit outside that area or behind the wicket the batsman is out. (Give younger players another feed.)

The wicket keeper must take incoming throws to the stumps either side of the original ones. Off side shots must be thrown to stumps on the off side (safety) and likewise on the leg side. Scoring: (Batsman bat one at a time):
4 runs if the ball is hit through the target area along the ground.
2 runs if the ball is hit towards the boundary and the batsman completes 2 runs.
Penalty runs
2 runs if a fielder stops the ball with his foot.
1 run if a fielder move off the boundary too early.
4 runs if the player backing up the wicket keeper misses the ball (when boundary is not hit).

Ways of getting out: Bowled, caught, stumped, run out (no LBW). Also: not completing 2 runs after hitting the ball (unless boundary is hit); hitting the ball outside the V; not hitting the ball past the first set of cones; hitting the ball over the fielders on the boundary.

Two teams with the coach bowling.

All batters have 4 balls. Each wicket that falls means that team loses four runs.

Catch after 1 bounce = out.

Players bat until they are out but must retire at 20 runs (optional). Runs are only awarded if the ball is played through the cones. If the ball is wide, or left, then the batter may have another ball.

Organisation: Divide the group into groups of 8-10 and organise as shown in the diagram. Each batter bats until dismissed by being bowled, caught directly or after one bounce or by lbw. Batter may leave or play defensively. Any attacking stroke used results in immediate dismissal for safety reasons. Fielders must keep a safe distance from the bat.

Equipment: 1 bat and 1 tennis ball per group. 1 set of stunps. Chalk markings