ECB SESSION PLANS
The session plans have been designed to help The following symbols are used throughout the Finally the session plans aim to help ensure
to provide guidance on planning and session plans: that coaches fulfil the ECB philosophy of
delivering a range of activities for children who 'Providing a fun and safe environment in which
are being introduced to cricket. people, particularly children and young
Number of players required
people, can enjoy their first experience of
They also provide information on basic cricket, gain some success and are motivated
movement skills for players and ideas on to want to go on playing.'
developing tactical awareness. Number of balls required
ECB believes that good coaching is about
It is recommended that the plans are in used coaching people not just coaching cricket;
in conjunction with the ECB Coaching cards Number of bats required emphasis should be on helping people to
that will provide further information on grow and develop holistically, open to all -
technical areas, games and differentiation. equity, respect for the game, opposition,
Number of stumps required equipment and facilities.
The session plans have been designed to be
used as an A4 sheet or they can be cut out
and attached to the existing coaching cards
Number of cones required
for ease of use.
It is important to note that the range of
activities, timings and key learning points are Number of markers required
provided as general guidance only and the
sessions can be adapted to meet the needs
of the players. For example, a number of the Number of batting T's required
sessions start with a game - if this is seen to
be beneficial within the earlier sessions
activities can be changed when appropriate.
Number of large sponge balls required
SESSION 1
TRAFFIC LIGHTS 15 XCVZVZVBZX
CLOSE CATCHING 15
xx .
TRAFFIC LIGHTS
Players to work on balls
.. 24 6 mins
..
4-8 2 1 2 4 24
6 12
8 12
4 mins of feet, knees flexed, arms
flexed, relaxed and slightly
.
..
Players in 3 lines who have to react as quickly as possible to commands
..
Commands may include: Partner catch forward of body
Straight, right, left, vary stance When players swap lines
..
Swap - swap places with a team mate in your line
.
Different heights consider including side
Check - Turn 180 degrees
.
Various colours to swap lines e.g. line 1 is red, line 2 yellow, line 3 blue
Touch the floor - jump up and clap your hands
Clap hands - touch the floor
“Mixed Service”
Game .
steps, hoping, skipping
Include mobility exercises
NB: Coaching points for close
catching may be included
.
EFFECTIVE RECALL
Consider holding up
fingers indicating the
during this activity
stance bat tap
backswing
& step forward
.
number of the command
Ask children to invent
own trick
.
CONTINUOUS CRICKET
Batters to consider where
they are looking to hit the
15
xx ball e.g. into gaps, over
XCVZVZVBZX
EFFECTIVE RECALL
4-8 2 1 2 4 24
6 24
8
Players move round a coned area passing the ball from hand to hand.
12
4 mins CONTINUOUS CRICKET
24 1 2 1 3
30
mins .
fielders
Fielders to consider what
they can be doing as the
..
Coach calls out a number which links to a command listed below: ball is fed e.g. Walking in
and being in a ‘ready
..
1. throw the ball into the air and clap 7 times
2. throw the ball to another person swapping in mid air position’
.
3. bounce the ball from left hand to right hand 7 times
4. figure of 8 through legs whilst walking (forwards and backwards) REMEMBER:
5. throw ball into air and catch behind back
..
To run a cool down
Slower paced activity
..Static stretches
Reflect on session
.Players to re-hydrate
Provide ideas for practice
SESSION 2
TRAFFIC LIGHTS 15 INTRODUCTION TO THROWING 15 .
TRAFFIC LIGHTS
Players to maintain a
24 6 mins
. 2 1 4 mins 'ready' position e.g. working
on balls of feet, knees
.
1. Wrist flick (3 metres to target) flick wrist and fingers, bounce ball
..
Players in 3 lines who have to react as quickly as possible to commands flexed, arms flexed, relaxed
Commands may include:
..
”Swap” - swap places with a team mate in your line
”Check” - Turn 180 degrees
.
towards target
2. Elbow flick (5 metres to target) flick elbow, wrist and fingers, bounce
ball towards target
3. Upper body rotation (10 metres to target) kneeling on throwing knee,
.
and slightly forward of body
When changing direction
quickly, movements should
.
Various colours to swap lines e.g. line 1 is red, line 2 yellow, line 3 blue start with turning the head
”Touch the floor” - jump up and clap your hands high elbow, full follow through
and focussing on a new
”Clap hands” - touch the floor 1 2 3
.
target
include mobility exercises
.
CROSS FIRE
Fielders to consider what
is important when fielding
NB: Coaching points for the ball e.g. maintain a large
standing throw may be catching area with hands
included during this activity and watch the ball
CROSS FIRE 15
.
CONTINUOUS CRICKET
Batters to consider how
they can score more runs
24 1 24 4 mins
..
e.g. hit the ball into gaps,
over fielders, run and turn
..
Objective: to score goals by throwing small balls at the large ball.
A goal is scored when the large ball crosses the opposition goal line.
When a goal is scored the ball is replaced in the centre.
CONTINUOUS CRICKET
24 1 2 1 3
30
mins .
quickly
Fielders to decide as a
group where they should
Balls can be collected from in front of the goal line but not thrown from there.
.
stand
Fielders to consider what
they can be doing if the ball
doesn't come to them e.g.
backing up other fielders
REMEMBER:
..
To run a cool down
Slower paced activity
..Static stretches
Reflect on session
.Players to re-hydrate
Provide ideas for practice
SESSION 3
CATCHING RELAY 15 GRIP, STANCE, BACKSWING AND STEP .
CATCHING RELAY
Players to be in the ready
..
mins position when catching the
.
5 1 2
..
Players number themselves 1 to 5
1 to 3 stand behind the red cone ...
GRIP
Fingers and thumbs wrapped around the bat handle stance
ball.
Opportunity to reinforce
key coaching points for
..
4 to 5 stand behind the other cone
Number 1’s fetch a ball & rejoin group
.’V’ in line between splice and edge
Hands close together .
catching
Consider feed e.g. ball
Underarm throw to the person opposite
Once you have thrown the ball walk to the back of the other line
..
Top hand against inside front thigh
STANCE .
may be rolled or bounced
Consider how players
..
Feet parallel and a foot length apart
Weight evenly distributed and knees flexed
Side-on position, relaxed
move to back of line once
they have thrown the ball
e.g. side steps, skipping,
...
working through cones,
.
Eyes level over toes
STANCE & BAT TAP backswing change speed
stance bat tap & step forward Consider running
Wrists and arms only
Top hand control technique e.g. head up,
pumping of arms, working on
Bat handle close to body,
balls of feet, eyes forward
..
in line with & under shoulders
HITTING OFF FRONT FOOT 30
BACKSWING & STEP
.
Co-ordinated movement
.
HITTING OFF FRONT FOOT
Challenge fielders to stop
..
6 1 1 2 mins Comfortable stride
the ball crossing the fielding
Smooth movement of head
line
..
Players number themselves 1 to 6 toward line of the ball
NB: Coaching points for
.
Number 1 bats
grip, stance, backswing
30
.
Number 2 serves/replaces ball on batting tee LORD’S GAME
Number 3, 4, 5 and 6 field
& step may be included LORD’S GAME The running batter to
during this activity 16 1 1 1 2 mins
Four or five goes each then rotate
!
. See ECB Coaching Cards
for detailed guidance
ground their bat over the line
and turn with a low body
.
position
Opportunity to reinforce
throwing technique
REMEMBER:
..
To run a cool down
Slower paced activity
..Static stretches
Reflect on session
.Players to re-hydrate
Provide ideas for practice