'e game of cricket requires players to That has always been the best advice any

soend up to 80% of their time fielding and coach can give a budding cricketer; but it is
,.. ~ilst attention is paid to fielding activities it even more the case these days now that
s often as an "afterthoughe or simply to fill limited-{)vers cricket plays such a big part in
... time at the end of training. Everyplayer's a cricketer's career. There is nowhere to
a , should be to become as competent at hide when batsmen are chasing runs in the
:- e1dingas they are at batting or bowling. one-day game.
 . .

roanatlBlalnuan ~.................
HODlHGTO THEBOLL
Fielders away from the bat, i.e. not in the
slips/close catching positions, move in with the
bowler. They should maintain a low body
weight. and the weight should be on the Inside
of the balls of the feet. Adjust body position for
clean pick-up, watch ball into hands and keep
head and eyes steady.
The fielder can maximise anticipation by watch.
ing the batter's stance, his footwork and blade
of the bat angles.

HTTHCKIHGFIELDlHG UHDEBOBH
THBUIUIH
· Back foot right
angles to line of
the ball
· Low b()dy weight
· Flexed knees
· Head in line
· Watch ball into
hands
· Soft hands
· Elbows shock
absorbers
· Pick up ball two hands, full return to 'keeper

DEFEHSIUEFIELDlHG
· Body is the sec-
ond line of defence
· Never be late for
the ball
· Bend hips and
knees as low as
practicable
· Keep your eyes
on the ball
· Let your hands
give with the ball

~
 . ..

[Q!!llflg
GHIPPIHG
THEBALL
. Grip across
seam
· Wrist loose for
overarm
throws
· Wrist firm for
underarm
throws

_ - ::.e"armthrows are used in close-to-the-wicket out is to be effected, Feet point in direction of

- - Ou! situations. The return can go either to throw, hips and shoulders face the target. Pick
'. cketkeeperor the fielder/bowlerat the up ball level with foot on throwing arm side,
~4_ er's end. depending at which end the. run step onto opposite foot to release.

I
 .
BdrnIn to
................................-- .......................................

THDurn- PHUGHESSIOHS
UUEDRDH

Wrist and
Finger Flick
· Partners three
metres apart (sitti
· Hold wrist with non-
throwing hand
· Bounce ball to part-
ner with a flicking
action

Elbow Flick
· Partners five metres

· apart (sitting)
Hold throwing arm tri-
ceps with non-throw-
ing hand
· Bounce ball to part-
ner using elbow, wrist
and fingers

L_ __._._

~.
 m
tation Remember
r tners eight
,etres apart (sit-
· Non-throwing
hand flat on
the Grip!
g) ground
"'n-throwing arm
t on ground
side power hip
unce ball to part-
er using shoulder,
bow, wrist and
rgers

Shoulder
Rotation
· Partners ten metres
apart (kneelingon
back knee)
· Rnish with throwing
shoulder pointingto
target
· Focus on technique
rather than power

ip Rotation
Partners stand 15 metres apart shoulder, hip and foot pointingat
~"ont shoulder, hip and foot point target .
to target · Hiprotation mastered, concentrate
Bounce ball to partner stepping on front arm diggingin beside
~ough to finish with throwing front hip to generate power'
THE[HOW HOP

Body and Feet in attacking Jump Over the bat or Guide leg points to target
fielding position rope with back leg fingers on top of ba.

For long throw preparation, The Crow Hop is recommended, since it:
· Regains the bOdy's balance and sets up a side-on position. and
· Adds forward momentum in the direction of the target through a quick weight trans'er

USIHGTHECUT-OFFHRH
With long returns from the outfield a player should not over-extend himself and may lIse a re-
throw to a player mid way to the wicket (particularly if the ball is new) or a bounce throw wt',
ball is.skimmed low so that it lands 3-5 metres before the stumps and the bounce can be
gathered to allow for an easy run out.

Relay
throw
practice
Concentrate on
throwing accurately
to the relay throw-
er's throwing
shoulder (e.g.
receiver throws
right or left arm)
 TFIElDRHOMIDFIELD
There are two acceptable techniques used for
taking high outfield catches.

. ~st is where the fielder "cups" his hands under the ball with elbows tucked into his sides. Hands
svally positioned around chin or eye level.

The second is where the fielder pushes his elbows away from his body
inverting his palms upwards, often linking his fingers together. Hands must
be positioned above eye level or the ball is likely to ricochet off the palms.

Bo1h methods are ~ffective and "midfield" include those up to

like all skills of cricket must be approximately 30-40 metres from
practised often. Players willvary on the batter e.g. cover, point. mid
which technique they feel is the off, square leg, mid on, mid wicket.
better. They demand quick reflexes and
"Outfield" positions are generally the ability to change direction and
close to. or on lI1e boundary. to catch hard hit, flat balls. as well
Fielding positions referred to a as routine high and ground halls.
~
 OUTFIELD I MIDFIELD CATCHES

Pairs
Batter hits to partner to
catch; after 10 hits rotate

r ..--.

I
I
II

Land Ball
Ball lobbed underarm into choice of two zones
Receiving fielder must run and catch the ball before it
lands in the zone
Ball returned to receiver's team and roles reversed
Point scored if ball is dropped or lands in zone
Variations
· Overarm throws
· Size of zones
· Distance between zones
L_____..

Goal Throwing
· Suitable for Midfield or Slips drills
· Pairs stand three to four metres apart between goal stumps or markers
· Flick catcl1es underarm below waist height - vary pace, height, direction, distance between pairs
· Score point for opponent's dropped catch or ball passing betwe~n goals below waist height. ~xter:
~. to include two partners "'"
~~
 they rarely
e ders are real "specialists", reflexes and an anticipatory sixth sense to
.,.. other positions and have the ability to "read" a batsman so they are in the best posi-
"~eir concentration for long periods. tion to take a catch. Their hands will be quick
=:. off/on at will. They will have excellent and soft. enabling them to catch instinctively.

-:: develop confident and competent slip fielders coaches should:

\'Iotivate players by:

·· Stressing enjoyment
Being enthusiastic
· Providingencouragement

good

Slip catching can be subdivided into correct:

Position - Depth, Spacing. Stance.

Balance
Encourage
a concentration Movement - Crouched. low body
plan for consistent weight, bend knees
focusing
Focus - Turnon / Turnoff
 DIVING IN THE SLIPS
Slips Catching · 8all can only be lobbed
from below knee height
· Pair must not allow ball
to land in their section

-,~" .#-
.-,.
-, ------

~. /'-
,/1
L --->-~c'o.,=-,=,.: ..... I !
~

Diving Pairs
· Mats positioned both
sides of catchers
· Catch thrown over mat
(particular side initially);
extend dive distance and
then throw either side
· When advanced, score
points for dropped catch
or ball landing on
opponent's mat

./
.'

Pair Lines
· Partners stand opposite each other
· One ball per pair
· Take as many catches as possible
in a given time (e,g. one minute)

"KEY .POINTS
· Safetirolls
Blind Catching
· One partner faces opposite direction and spins on
. · Blocking impact
. , ' "
,;. '

" ., Shoulder roll to:cushion impact

call to take catch
· Alternate catcher: vary distance. catch
difficulty/pace; catcher crouches, kneels/lies
,'.

, · Arm roll t,o cushion impact

Use gym mats or sand Intraining
'
 FIELDING STRATEGIES

k:..cal simulations to improve fielding could Include:

· Positions In the .field, angles to batsmen
etc. .

· Walking In with bowler

· Diving in the field
· Saving singles/giving singles
· Throwing to bowler's end
· Backing up
· Throwing at the stumps
· Close to the wicket catching
· Bat-pad fieluing
· Outfield catches
· Coping with the sun
· Long throws
· Relay throws
· Sliding stops
· Run outs (with batsmen)
-----.
1'r1ultiple-ball
Throws
· 3al/s inside markers
: aced in diamond pattern
· Target stump placed in
;"orttof wicketkeeper
· l=ielderruns out from
s~,",mpand throws balls, in
:rder. at the stump
· Score one pOint for each

.:ariations · Starting point/distances · Varymarker positions

· Nurnber of balls · Overarm/underarm · Varynumber of stumps to
· Order of retrieval throws be hit
 Run-a-Two
Run-outs
·
One team of runners,
one team of fielders
· On calling "yes" first
runner sets off for a two
- first fielder runs to
ball and throws to
receiver
·
Players move onto
opposite groups to
attempt other skill
·
Score point for run-
out/safe run

Sprint Off
· Twocompeting num-
bered lines of fielders
· Coach calls number.
Rrst fielder to return ball
to wicketkeeper scores
point for that team
Variations
· Fielders standing/sit-
ting/lying

.~

~.--
..

--
Hand Grenades Variations
··
· Fielders try to land ball on full in another
team's zone ·
Use mUltiple balls
Number in each team
Size of zones
· Score one point for each landing · Distance between zones
 -" -. -. -' .~ - . - -
0 --'-'T~------
!/
,I:

- ..

gle Target- to (1) - fielder aims at · Hit scores one point

stumps, backed up by (2)
-ng who aims at next stump Variations
:5 placed in a triangle · Back up returns ball to · Hit to (1) rather than roll
- '-- ~~ markers posi- wicketkeeper · Vary distance between
'~ 'ielders · Each fielder rotates to next stumps for overarm/under-
.::' .eeper rolls ball out position after throwing arm throws.

Caught and
Bowleds
· Normal run-up and
delivery without a
ball.
Coach hits catch from
batting tee just after
delivery

run to receive it
- . -:;sets of goals - 30 to 40 metres apart · Goal shot must be non-dominant hand,
:s to score a goal by rolling ball from underarm; one goalkeeper per team
-~ ce goal zone through the goal Variations
~ o;ers may roll ball to team mates - no · Catchesrather than roll - one/both har'lds
· Onebouncethrows
:: c]ers cannot run with the ball but can · Underarm/overarmthrows