Cricket Drills

**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.

*AUDIO DESCRIPTION ON* Two cones a long stride distance apart. Standing behind one, facing the other, step the leading foot of the delivery stride to the opposite cone Drag through the back foot on the back cone encouraging the back knee to drive through straight towards your target  

In pairs, when coach says go, 1) under arm flicks the ball into the wall, when the ball rebounds past line B 2) shouts 'Howzat', first pairs ball to cross line B wins.

Set up two cones, 10m apart and 10m from the target stump. (This drill is best performed in front of a net as shown). Coach rolls the balls out one after another down the middle of the two cones. As the balls come out players must attack them one at a time, running diagonally from alternate cones, to pick up the ball and throw them back looking to hit the stump. Players then join the back of opposite queue.

See how many consecutive catches the Wicket Keeper can take before he has to move or the ball bounces. If this happens put score back to 0. This can be done against another group, i.e. first to 15 catches without keeper moving.

(1) runs in picks up ball throws over arm over top of stumps. Stops the rebound off the wall and then puts the ball down on spot, and then (2) goes. The first team to complete a whole cycle wins.

The coach throws on one knee with a football style throw in, which the batsmen have to defend by hitting back through the cones, with 6 balls each.

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.

Throw a short pitched delivery from (a) kneeling or (b) standing up - depending on the height and age of the batsmen. Throw the ball with pace outside off stump between waist and chest height. In a small sports hall: The shot is hit into a wall and fielders can stop the rebound.

Set up hurdles leading up to the crease, you can use as many as you like Add two lines of cones beyond the crease to create a gate to promote a follow through Players run over the hurdles with a strong running technique, lifting the knees Players bowl towards the wicket and and follow through the cones

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

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.

This is an attacking stroke, played to a full, wide of off stump delivery. Keep a relaxed, balanced stance, with your head and eyes level. Using your normal backswing, step forward; your leading foot should have a comfortable stride to the pitch of the ball. When playing the stroke the front shoulder dips, front knee bends. Your shoulders rotate vertically, bat moves in an arc (3 o'clock to 9 o'clock) and continues  through the line of the ball in the direction of shot (through the covers - on the on-side).

Played to a ball short of a length and wide of off stump. Ball is aimed square of the wicket. Relaxed, balanced stance, head still, eyes level. Back swing and step back towards off side. Base established, weight stays slightly forward. Shoulders rotate towards offside, horizontally. Bat accelerates, hitting from high to low. Ball contact is made level with head, allow for natural follow through.

Wicket keeper rolls the ball out straight when the batsmen calls YES. The batsmen tries to complete 2 runs as fielder(1) runs across throws ball in and joins other queue. F(2) goes next from other side.