Stopping drills

Essential cricket fielding drills Being able to field well in cricket is crucial as a cricket match can easily be won or lost in the field. Your job as a fielder is to support the bowler and put pressure on the batsman by fielding the ball effectively and getting it back in to the wicket keeper as quickly and precisely as possible. There are many drills which you can practice to help improve your fielding performance and to aid you in applying the fielding techniques you learn. These drills can be modified and varied to suit your needs and skill level accordingly, a bit of imagination can go a long way in increasing the effectiveness and enjoyment of training drills. The more fun the better. Fielding Drill 1 This is a drill to practice defensive techniques specifically the long barrier, it is also good for improving general hand eye coordination which is essential in cricket. Set out four cones...

Purpose: To practice diving and stopping the ball on the boundary Description: Players 1 and 2 alternately roll balls to pass inside the nearest cone. Player 3 has to stop the ball, diving if necessary. If he stops the ball he returns it back to the feeder. After 6 stops the players change around. 1. 2. 3.

Purpose: To practice stopping the ball under pressure. Description: Player 3 tries to roll the ball past player 2 reaching player 1. The ball must stay within the marked area. Player 2 scores a point for stopping the ball or if player 3 misfields. After 6 points players change positions.

Purpose : The long barrier is a staple of fielding skills, but really being able to run in, attack the ball and return it quickly takes practice. So although this drill is simple, the key points to work on are not the basic long barrier, but getting to the ball quickly, picking it up and returning it accurately. That takes a lot of practice and this drill is ideal. Description : The coach (C) rolls the ball towards the fielder who runs in quickly, stops it with the long barrier and returns the ball to the wicketkeeper (W) accurately. The fielder then goes to the back of the group. Variations : To encourage competitiveness, speed and accuracy you can keep score: For example giving a point for a clean pickup, a point for an accurate throw and so on. You can also make the feed more difficult by bouncing the ball so it is bobbling when it reaches the fielder.

Purpose : Fast moving, high pressure inner ring catch, throw and backing up. There is a lot of movement so is also good for fitness and focus. Description : The ball is thrown out to the fielder who catches or fields the ball, and throws at the stump. After the throw the feeder moves to the back of the catching queue and the fielder moves to the back of the backup queue. Meanwhile the backup fielder stops the ball, and returns the throw to the keeper on the stump. She then runs to the feeder position to deliver the next feed. Variations: Feeds can come from a bowling machine or from a katchet ramp. The ball can be hit on the half volley from a bat. To encourage competitiveness, speed and accuracy you can keep score: For example giving a point for a clean pickup, a point for an accurate throw and so on.