Cricket Drills

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.

When the drill is started both teams roll the ball to each other in the same direction (can be clockwise or anti-clockwise). The aim of the game is for the ball from one team to overtake the ball from the other team.

Divide players into two teams and then pair up all your players. Each pair should get to bat for two overs each. Each pair starts with 20 runs and can be out if they are bowled, caught, stumped, run out or if you hit your own wicket. Every time a batter is out 5 points are knocked off their total and batters swap places. The winning pair is the one which finishes with the most runs.

10-18 players required. (Note diagram for accurate lay-out of drill.) Five stumps required for drill. Three stumps are set up on a diagonal line, 10m apart from each other. The other two stumps are 20m away from these, again on a diagonal but this time they are 20m apart. The Coach stands at the top on the middle stump. The drill begins when coach rolls the ball out as shown. Player 1 must sprint around the first stump, change direction and then underarm pick the ball up, aiming to hit the third stump. Player 2 must anticipate the ball coming towards them, and moves forward off the cone to back the ball up. Player 2 then throws overarm at the base of the next stump. Player 3 anticipates this happening, and backs the throw up, before throwing the ball over the top of the final stump. The next player now returns the ball to the coach, and then continues to run around the first stump. Drill continues, and players follow the ball, moving clockwise to the next station.

Player 1 rolls the ball out, 2 intercepts and flicks at stump 2. 8 stops the ball and rolls it out towards 3, 5 then intercepts. After each throw, players run up the side and join the back of the queue. Note: The person who starts the practice with the first throw stays where they are until the next turn, then they throw and run up the side.

For larger groups, with a minimum of 5-10 players. The first player (1) rolls the ball out diagonally for the player on the same side as them (2) to run out to, intercept and flick at the opposite stump. A player on the other side (3) backs up the ball and rolls it out diagonally for the next player on the same side as them (4) to run out and collect.

Organisation: Each player has a ball which is thrown at a target on the wall. As the ball rebounds, the ball is fielded using long barrie. In restricted space players may operate in pairs. Equipment: 1 ball per player. Firm wall surface. This can be done in teams who can race eachother.

1) runs out and picks up the stationary ball and throws over top to 2). 2) rolls the ball back out to 1), 1) replaces it and joins the back of the queue. When 1) tags 2), 2) then goes, 3) takes up position behind stumps. This can be done in a race against another group.

The batsman calls 'yes' to start the drill and tries to run 2 lengths whilst the fielder (player 1) runs out to meet the stationary ball, picks it up and throw it back to the wicket keeper (thus trying to run out the batter). The coach decides which team has won and both players return to the back of their respective lines. Drill continues in this way.

Make a grid with cones. Teams have to try and throw the ball 10 times to their team mates without having the ball intercepted by the other team. VARIATION 10 feeds along the ground to team mate. 10 one bounce catches to team mates.

With between 5-8 players on each team. Each batsmen must drive on one out of 3 deliveries and run on the driven one, then complete two runs. The fielders must stay behind the boundary until the ball is hit. If a boundary is hit the batsmen gets an additional 3 balls. If the ball is hit out of the grounds then 6 runs are awarded. 1) Bat until all out or 2) Bat until teams wickets are used up i.e. 4 wickets per team.

Each batter gets 6 feeds. Drill is best done in nets where available (2 grounds per net in opposite directions). Can be done in pairs/ groups of three with 6 tennis balls per group. The feeder bobble feeds the ball towards the batter who aims to drive the ball through the target cones. Encourage players to wear at least batting gloves when doing this drill.

**AUDIO DESCRIPTION ON** Bowler begins with take-off foot on the box. Bowler pushes up with take-off foot into the delivery stride towards the crease. The ball is bowled at the stumpst and follows through straight down the wicket.

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.

Get a resistance band and put around the player's waist Coach stands behind the player whilst they run towards the crease, pulling for resistance Player drives forward and bowls towards the wicket whilst resistance is applied Take off the band once bowled and quickly bowl again without resistance For progression and to stop players pulling to the off side, add resistance to bowlers off side to straighten the approach Player does six bowling motions against resistance. Then take off the band and bowl without resistance

A Right-armed bowler bowling outswing will move the ball away from a right-handed batsman. The 1st and 2nd fingers are placed on the top of the ball and spread either side of the seam. The side of the thumb is placed on the underneath of the ball directly on the seam. To make the ball swing, ensure that the seam remains vertical and angled away from the batsman.