Queensland Cricket - First Innings - Beyond Basic Fielding

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and the XXXX Gold Queensland Bulls

BEYOND BASIC FIELDING

INTRODUCTION AND GROUND FIELDING Queensland Fire coach Joanne Broadbent and former specialist coach with Bulls and West Indies Darren Holder explain the best techniques for ground fielding and catching. There are also some excellent activities for groups and individuals.
GROUND FIELDING BODY POSITION (Lesson Plan) - Fielding requires fast reactions to move to the ball quickly, save runs and take wickets. - Keep your feet shoulder width apart, body weight on the balls of the feet, a low body profile, and bend the knees and hips to get close to the ground. - Move towards the batter, as the bowler approaches the delivery. Maintain a low body profile, with the body weight on the balls of our feet, for quick movement left or right. Keep the hands in front of the body. This preparation increases the chance of receiving the ball cleanly, or at least out in front of the body in the event of a fumble. - Keep the head both still and over the ball as the ball rolls into the hands. It is very important to watch the ball all the way into the hands in order for a clean pick up. If possible, always pick the ball up with two hands. Once you have the ball in two hands, prepare the body where to throw the ball.
GROUND FIELDING ACTIVITY - STATIONARY BALL - With a partner 8-10 metres away, move towards a stationary ball located in the middle and pick it up. - Stay low when approaching the ball. - Return the ball with an underarm throw, and repeat the activity.
GROUND FIELDING ACTIVITY - MOVING BALL - With partners 8-10 metres away, the ball is rolled towards the fielder. - The fielder should move forward to accept the ball. Stay low when approaching the ball. - Keep the head both still and over the ball as the ball rolls into the hands. - Return the ball with an underarm throw, and repeat the activity.
GROUND FIELDING ACTIVITY - GOAL THROWING - With two people 5-8 metres apart, the ball is rolled along the ground in the direction of a goal indicated by markers 3-5 metres apart. - The fielder attempts to gather the ball and avoid it from passing through the goals. - Return to the centre for each attempt. - Extend the goals to increase the difficulty.
THROWING UNDERARM - GRIP (Lesson Plan) - Throwing becomes a smooth natural extension from receiving the ball. - When the ball is received in front of the body make sure the first two fingers and thumb are along the seam and body is moving forward towards the target.
THROWING UNDERARM - BODY POSITION - The throwing arm is kept straight as the body continues forward maintaining a low body profile. - The throwing arm will move to be along side the back hip, as momentum carries the body forward. - The throwing arm should swing forward directly toward the target.
THROWING UNDERARM - EXECUTION - With feet, hips, shoulders, and eyes all facing toward the target, swing the arm forward directly toward the target. - Release the ball with the palm of the hand to the target. - Position the body facing the target, and maintain a low body profile to ensure control and accuracy.
THROWING UNDERARM ACTIVITY - PARTNER THROW - With a partner 8-10 metres away, move towards a stationary ball located in the middle and pick it up. - Stay low when approaching the ball. Return the ball with an underarm throw, and repeat the activity. - Swing the arm forward directly toward the target. - Release the ball with the palm of the hand to the target.
THROWING UNDERARM ACTIVITY - FIELD AND THROW - With partners 8-10 metres away, the ball is rolled towards the fielder. - The fielder should move forward to receive the ball. Stay low when approaching the ball. - Return the ball with an underarm throw, and repeat the activity. Swing the arm forward directly toward the target. - Release the ball with the palm of the hand to the target.
THROWING UNDERARM ACTIVITY - TARGET THROW - With partners approxy 15m apart, and a target placed in the middle, the ball is exchanged back and forth, with each underarm throw intended to hit the target. - The fielder should be prepared to receive the ball. Stay low when approaching the ball. - Return the ball with an underarm throw. Swing the arm forward directly toward the target. - Release the ball with the palm of the hand to the target.
THROWING UNDERARM ACTIVITY - KNOCK 'EM DOWN RELAY - Teams of 4-6 people are required for this activity. - With each team split in half at each end behind a marker, a set of stumps is located in the middle 10-15 metres away from each half of the team. - Each team throws the ball, underarm, at the stumps. If successful, a stump is pulled out. Each time there is a successful throw another stump is pulled out until all the stumps have been removed. Following the removal of all stumps, each stump is replaced one by one until the set of stumps have been rebuilt. First team to remove and rebuild the set of stumps is the winner. - For a shorter game, only remove the stumps. This activity helps to develop throwing technique and accuracy in a competitive environment.
THROWING OVERARM - GRIP (Lesson Plan) - Throwing becomes a smooth natural extension from receiving the ball. - Receive the ball in front of the body make and ensure the first two fingers and thumb are along the seam. - To provide power and control, keep the wrist loose so that the wrist can flick through towards the target as the ball is released.
THROWING OVERARM - BODY POSITION - Bring the ball to the chest, making sure both hands are on the ball. - Align the body, so that the hips, shoulders, and front foot, point towards the target.
THROWING OVERARM - EXECUTION - Swing the arms down and away from the body in a full arc, thumbs pointing towards the ground. Extend the front arm in the direction of the target. - Swing the throwing arm back to a high, wide position, with the elbow above the shoulder and fingers on top of the ball. - From this position, begin the forward motion of the arm, along with the shoulder and body rotation. Extend the arm to a high release position in front of the body. - The ball is released as the arm speeds up with a powerful flick of the wrist, providing backspin, power, and control. After release, rotate the hips through to the target, bringing the back leg towards the target and the throwing arm across the body to the opposite hip.
THROWING OVERARM ACTIVITY - PARTNER THROW - With partners 10-20m away, the ball is exchanged with an overarm throw. The fielder should be prepared to receive the ball. - Bring the ball to the chest and align the body, so that the hips, shoulders, and front foot point towards the target. - Return the ball with an overarm throw, using the correct technique, and repeat the activity.
THROWING OVERARM ACTIVITY - TARGET AND THROW - With partners 15-20 metres away, the ball is rolled towards the fielder. - The fielder should move forward to receive the ball. - Stay low when approaching the ball. - Return the ball with an overarm throw, and repeat the activity.
THROWING OVERARM ACTIVITY - FIELD AND THROW - With partners 20-30 metres apart, and a target placed in the middle, the ball is exchanged back and forth, with each overarm throw intended to hit the target. - The fielder should be prepared to receive the ball. - Stay low when approaching the ball. - Return the ball with an overarm throw using the correct technique.
THROWING OVERARM ACTIVITY - KNOCK 'EM DOWN RELAY - Teams of 4-6 people are required for this activity. - With each team split in half at each end behind a marker, a set of stumps is located in the middle 10-15 metres away from each half of the team. - Each team throws the ball, underarm, at the stumps. If successful, a stump is pulled out. Each time there is a successful throw another stump is pulled out until all the stumps have been removed. Following the removal of all stumps, each stump is replaced one by one until the set of stumps have been rebuilt. First team to remove and rebuild the set of stumps is the winner. - For a shorter game, only remove the stumps. This activity helps to develop throwing technique and accuracy in a competitive environment.
CATCHING - SHORT DISTANCE - BODY POSITION (Lesson Plan) - Catching is important to take wickets and support the bowlers. - Keep feet shoulder width apart, body weight on the balls of the feet, and low body profile. Bend the knees and hips to get close to the ground, and have hands in front of the body in a cupped position. - If the catch is below the chest, fingers point towards the ground. If the catch is above the chest, fingers point upwards. - Keep the head both still and over the ball as the ball is caught in cupped hands. It is very important to watch the ball all the way into the hands in order for a clean catch. Elbows act as shock absorbers to cushion the ball into the hands. - Catch the ball with two hands.
CATCHING - SHORT DISTRANCE - PARTNER VARIATIONS - Two people stand 3-4 metres apart in a catching position, throwing and receiving the ball, back and forth. - Use variations to increase difficulty and provide diversity; right hand only, left hand only, one right one left, crossovers, two hands, turn & catch, and more than one ball. Also, vary the pace, height, and direction of throw. - Use good technique throughout the activities.
CATCHING - SHORT DISTANCE - GOAL THROWING - With two people 5-8 metres apart, the ball is delivered with an underarm throw in the direction of a goal indicated by markers 3-5 metres apart. - The fielder attempts to catch the ball and avoid it from passing through the goals. Vary the pace, height, direction, and distance of throw, allowing the fielder to return to the centre for each attempt. - Extend the goals to increase the difficulty.
CATCHING - SHORT DISTANCE - INFIELD CATCHING - Set out two catching squares/zones (defined by markers) with a “no-mans land” between the two squares. - Fielders in each catching zone attempt to land the ball on the ground in the opposing team’s zone. - The fielders’ objective is to catch every ball and avoid any ball from touching the ground in the catching zone. - A point system can be used for competition between the teams. Extend the fielding zones for different types of throws (overarm/underarm).
CATCHING - SHORT DISTANCE - CATCHING v RUNNING (Lesson Plan) - A team of runners competes against a team of fielders. - The runners attempt to score as many runs as possible while the fielders successfully catch 10 catches. - Following 10 catches, the teams swap roles. - Vary the distance for runs and catches, as well as the number of catches.
CATCHING - LONG DISTANCE - BODY POSITION (Lesson Plan) - Long distance catching is a very challenging skill that requires good judgement skills. - Move quickly to the flight of the ball and position the body directly under the descending cricket ball. - Prepare the hands above eye level. The fingers should point towards the sky, with the palm of the hand facing toward or away from the body, depending on which is most comfortable for the individual. - Keep the head still at all times. It is very important that the eyes watch the ball all the way into the hands to secure a clean catch.
CATCHING - LONG DISTANCE - CLAP AND CATCH VARIATIONS - Throw the ball into the air and receive a catch above your eyes, attempting to clap the hands in front of the body, as many times as possible between releasing and receiving the ball. - Throw the ball into the air and receive a catch above your eyes, attempting to clap the hands in front of the body and then on the side of each hip, as many times as possible between releasing and receiving the ball. - Throw the ball into the air and receive a catch above your eyes, attempting to clap the hands in front and behind the body, as many times as possible between releasing and receiving the ball. - The hands need to move very quickly to clap and then prepare for the catch by raising the hands above eye level. - Throw the ball into the air and receive a catch above your eyes, attempting to spin the body in a 360 degree circle, retuning to the same position between releasing and receiving the ball. - Throw the ball into the air and receive a catch above your eyes, attempting to touch the ground with both hands, retuning to the same position between releasing and receiving the ball. - Throw the ball into the air and receive a catch above your eyes, attempting to sit on the ground or stand from a seated position between releasing and receiving the ball. - When throwing the ball into the air, take the catch with two hands. Keep your eyes on the ball, head still, and attempt to be balanced before receiving the ball.
CATCHING - LONG DISTANCE - PARTNER OUTFIELD CATCHING - Two people stand 15-20 metres apart in a ready position, throwing and receiving the ball, back and forth. - Vary the pace, height, and direction of throw and ensure: - Make quick movement to the flight of the ball and position the body directly under the descending cricket ball. - Prepare the hands above eye level. The head is still at all times and the ball is watched all the way into the hands to secure a clean catch.
CATCHING - LONG DISTANCE - OUTFIELD CATCHING - Set out two catching squares/zones (defined by markers) with a “no-mans land” between the two squares. - Fielders in each catching zone attempt to land the ball on the ground in the opposing team’s zone. - The fielders’ objective is to catch every ball and avoid any ball from touching the ground in the catching zone. - A point system can be used for competition between the teams.Extend the fielding zones for different types of throws (overarm/underarm).

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