Below is a range of free downloadable lesson plans, games, drills for schools and coaches which are age and stage appropriate for primary and secondary school pupils.
ICC Criiio Cricket Programme
The ICC Criiio Cricket Programme is an easy to deliver 8-week lesson plan which will introduce the fundamentals of batting, bowling and fielding as well as the basic rules of the game. It provides a fun first experience of cricket to participants new to the game.
Key Principles
The Criiio Cricket Programme has been developed by leading educational and cricket experts with the main purpose of getting people active. It can be used by schools, clubs, communities and individuals. It is based on a number of key principles:
• A Fun First Experience for someone new to cricket
• An adaptable resource that you can adapt to suit your group (age, ability, space, time)
• A programme which is Facilitated not coached
The games and drills from the criiio cricket programme can be found on the following link: www.icc-cricket.com/video/2113108
Key Principles
The Criiio Cricket Programme has been developed by leading educational and cricket experts with the main purpose of getting people active. It can be used by schools, clubs, communities and individuals. It is based on a number of key principles:
• A Fun First Experience for someone new to cricket
• An adaptable resource that you can adapt to suit your group (age, ability, space, time)
• A programme which is Facilitated not coached
The games and drills from the criiio cricket programme can be found on the following link: www.icc-cricket.com/video/2113108
| eng-criiio-cricket-programme_interactive_fa-2-.pdf |
School Cricket Coaching Ideas
A number of links for coaching cricket in schools ideas -
Cricket America - lesson plans and teaching aids www.cricketamerica.com/page2.html
Warwickshire Cricket Board - cricket club coaching plans warwickshirecricketboard.co.uk/clubs-leagues/cricket-club-coaching-plans-2/
Surrey Cricket Foundation - practices and drills www.surreycricketfoundation.org/page/ecbca---surrey/coach-development/practices-and-drills-1917/
Somerset Cricket Board - coaching resource for primary schools www.sasp.co.uk/uploads/somerset-cricket-board-coaching-resource.pdf
Staffordshire Cricket Board - coaching cards for teachers www.staffordshirecricket.co.uk/_images/_downloads/c2s%20teacher%20resource%20cards.pdf
Cricket America - lesson plans and teaching aids www.cricketamerica.com/page2.html
Warwickshire Cricket Board - cricket club coaching plans warwickshirecricketboard.co.uk/clubs-leagues/cricket-club-coaching-plans-2/
Surrey Cricket Foundation - practices and drills www.surreycricketfoundation.org/page/ecbca---surrey/coach-development/practices-and-drills-1917/
Somerset Cricket Board - coaching resource for primary schools www.sasp.co.uk/uploads/somerset-cricket-board-coaching-resource.pdf
Staffordshire Cricket Board - coaching cards for teachers www.staffordshirecricket.co.uk/_images/_downloads/c2s%20teacher%20resource%20cards.pdf
Drills & Challenges
Below are a number of batting, bowling and fielding drills and challenges that were completed during lockdown but are relevant as ideas for primary and secondary school cricket sessions.
Bat, Bowl & Throw Challenge
(primary & secondary)
The batting element of this challenge can be done using improvised batting Ts, a drop feed from the neck or using your hand.
Target Batting
(primary & secondary)
This drill can be done using improvised batting Ts, a drop feed from the neck or with a bobble feed from a partner.
Target Throwing
(primary & secondary)
Incorporating speed, stamina and throwing. Try to stay sideways on when throwing and aim at the target with your elbow. Can you beat my poor effort of one out of six?
Batting Drills
(secondary)
Top hand and bottom hand drills. Create a base to hit from and look to hit on the second bounce using only your top hand and then bottom hand to control the bat through the shot. Try to keep your hands high with a straight bat (off side of the body) on pick up and bat continues through the line of the ball on follow through. For an extra challenge set yourself a target to hit through. Which hand do you prefer?
Moving out to drive - throw the ball out in front sidestepping to catch up with the ball. Try to hit the ball along the floor from a strong base with head over the ball.
Wicket Keeping
(primary & secondary)
When catching extend hands out to the ball and close on contact keeping the head still throughout.
Challenge 1: Rebound the ball from the wall
Challenge 2: Someone feeds the ball from behind
Challenge 3: Deflecting the ball from a bat
Challenge 1: Rebound the ball from the wall
Challenge 2: Someone feeds the ball from behind
Challenge 3: Deflecting the ball from a bat
Emphasis on posture with a balanced and low crouch. Feet shoulder width apart or slightly wider with weight on the balls of the feet to create a dynamic position. Hands rest together on the ground slightly in front with head forward, still and eyes level, Catch with the right and left hand with palms forward with hands open creating a big catching area.
Spin Bowling
(secondary)
The challenge is to make sure the ball doesn't move! To prevent the ball from moving bowl with heel toe alignment in a side on position. The bowler pivots on the ball of the front foot with the back leg pivoting over the front leg with energy in the action. The front arm pulls the body up and around and the body rotates 180 degrees with both arms finishing on the opposite side of the body. This challenge is completed as a leg spin bowler.
EPP and U17 leg spin bowler Fraser Clarke is demonstrating a dynamic pivot on the ball of his foot.
To practice flight and dip bowl at a wall, over the washing line or like Elliott at a rebound net.
The below video looks at the many different variations a spinner can possess - have a play spinning the ball with the different wrist positions.
Target Bowling
(primary & secondary)
This can be done from base position or with a run up depending on the amount of space available.
Bowling Challenges
(secondary)
Back Foot Stability
Level 1: Hold on your back foot (landing foot) for 10 seconds (5 seconds U11). The position of your back foot depends on where your back foot lands when you run in to bowl - it's your position.
Level 2: Hold on your back foot (landing foot) for 10 seconds (5 seconds for U11s) with your eyes closed. You are a lot more unstable with your eyes closed so try to engage your core to hold your position.
Level 3: Hold on your back foot (landing foot) and catch a variety of different balls thrown to you whilst trying to maintain your position. Receiving the balls adds instability so try to engage your core to to hold your position
Level 1: Hold on your back foot (landing foot) for 10 seconds (5 seconds U11). The position of your back foot depends on where your back foot lands when you run in to bowl - it's your position.
Level 2: Hold on your back foot (landing foot) for 10 seconds (5 seconds for U11s) with your eyes closed. You are a lot more unstable with your eyes closed so try to engage your core to hold your position.
Level 3: Hold on your back foot (landing foot) and catch a variety of different balls thrown to you whilst trying to maintain your position. Receiving the balls adds instability so try to engage your core to to hold your position
Bowling Drill Work
(secondary)
These bowling drills include a few of the drills that IOMCA squad bowlers complete at training which can be done at home with some modifications. The below drill is looking at developing a tight gather, with a tall, strong front arm and allowing the hip to drive through.
This drill is looking to develop strength and stability on the landing leg looking for minimal bend of the knee and no heel contact. Foot position depends on whether you are a side on, mid way or front on bowler.
The home version is using books instead and hurdles and National team bowler Sam Mills is using bottles.
This drill is looking at wrist position - releasing the ball with a vertical seam with the wrist following immediately after the fingers with no wobble and the ball returning to the hand.
Catching Challenges
(primary)
Catching challenges:
Challenge 1: Clap catches
Challenge 2: Head, shoulders, knees and toes
Challenge 1: Clap catches
Challenge 2: Head, shoulders, knees and toes
Catching Challenges
(primary & secondary)
The next challenge is wall juggling
Level 1: One ball
Level 2: Two balls
Level 3: Three balls
Level 1: One ball
Level 2: Two balls
Level 3: Three balls
Batting Challenges
(primary & secondary)
The first of our skills challenges is used as a warm up for our batters - bat taps which comes in four levels
Level 1: Bat taps
Level 2: Bat taps with a twist
Level 3: Bat taps on the edge
Level 4: Combination of level 1, 2 & 3
Level 1: Bat taps
Level 2: Bat taps with a twist
Level 3: Bat taps on the edge
Level 4: Combination of level 1, 2 & 3