FIRST INNINGS - ACTIVITY FORMATIONS AND PROGRESSIONS
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INTRODUCTION High level accredited coach Darren Holder demonstrates a large range of individual and group skill activities. |
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STATION ACTIVITIES - BASIC TABLOID FORMATION - The use of a station or table formation can be very useful to teach a number of skills simultaneously. All activities are demonstrated and then students participate in small groups with the leader/teacher coordinating the lesson. - Students move from one activity to another following a signal from the leader at a designated time. Any combination of activities can be used from Basic to Advanced. - Partner activities are the most common, however, most activities throughout this resource can be substituted into this formation. - This formation can also be used to focus on a particular skill (eg batting – four different batting skills make up the stations). |
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RELAY ACTIVITIES - BASIC - TEE BATTING - Place the ball on the tee. - Move the feet to the line of the ball and pick up the bat at the same time. - Dip shoulder at the line of the intended target. - Swing the bat by unfolding the shoulders, arms, hands and bat towards the target. |
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RELAY ACTIVITIES - BASIC - TARGET LINE BOWLING - Bowl the ball towards the lines/markers that are set out as a target on the pitch. - Start the delivery from a balanced position. - Pull the non-bowling elbow down to the leading hip, in line with the target. - With the bowling elbow moving down and backwards, trace a circle with the ball up to release. |
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RELAY ACTIVITIES - BASIC - ROLL AND TRAP - Run to the marker to collect the ball and with an underarm throw along the ground, roll the ball toward the fielder. - Run to the ball and pick it up from the marker. Prepare the body and hands low to the ground as the approach is made to the ball. - Continue around the marker and return the ball. |
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RELAY ACTIVITIES - BASIC - THROW AND CATCH - Hold the ball with two hands. - Release the ball into the air and watch it closely as it returns to the hands. - Use the hands to cushion the ball by bending at the elbows. - This activity will help develop hand-eye coordination. |
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RELAY ACTIVITIES - INTERMEDIATE - BAT CONTROL - Control the ball by balancing it on the paddle. - Follow on to control the ball by continually tapping it into the air. - Substitute a cricket bat in place of the paddle to increase the difficulty. - This activity will help develop hand-eye coordination and bat control. |
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RELAY ACTIVITIES - INTERMEDIATE - TARGET LINE BOWLING - Bowl the ball towards the lines/markers that are set out as a target on the pitch. - Start the delivery from a balanced position. - Pull the non-bowling elbow down to the leading hip, in line with the target. - With the bowling elbow moving down and backwards, trace a circle with the ball up to release. |
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RELAY ACTIVITIES - INTERMEDIATE - BOUNCE AND CATCH - Run to the marker to collect the ball and with an overarm throw into the ground, bounce the ball toward the fielder. - The fielder attempts to catch the ball with the cone shaped marker (“bugcatcher”). The “bugcatcher” is exchanged and the relay continues. - With partners approx 10m apart and a target placed to one end, the ball is exchanged with each underarm throw intended to hit the target. - The fielder should be prepared to receive the ball. Stay low when approaching the ball. Swing the arm forward directly toward the target. Release the ball with the palm of the hand to the target. |
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RELAY ACTIVITIES - INTERMEDIATE - FIGURE 8s - Pass the ball around a leg in a circle. - Increase speed to challenge individuals. - Pass the ball around other body parts, change direction or use a figure 8 formation for variation. |
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RELAY ACTIVITIES - ADVANCED - UNDERARM AND DRIVE - There are three progressions for this activity: rolled underarm, underarm full toss, and underarm half volley. Roll/underarm the ball along the ground towards the batter. - Move feet to the line of the ball and pick the bat at the same time. - The front knee should bend to provide a balanced platform. - Swing the bat towards the target. |
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RELAY ACTIVITIES - ADVANCED - JUMP THE LINE - Bowl the ball towards a reference line made up of one stump that divides the pitch. Attempt to spin the ball from one side of the line to the other. - Start the delivery from a balanced position. Pull the non-bowling elbow down to the leading hip, in line with the target. - With the bowling elbow moving down and backwards, trace a circle with the ball up to release. Release the ball with the fingers and wrist spinning the ball in clockwise direction. Follow through towards the target to assist with body rotation. - Observe the angle of the seam and the shape of the ball’s flight path before and after it hits the pitch. Gradually increase the speed and distance of the approach. |
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RELAY ACTIVITIES - ADVANCED - THROW, CATCH AND FIELD - Run to the marker to collect the ball and with an underarm throw into the air, throw the ball toward the fielder. - The fielder attempts to catch the ball with the cone shaped marker (“bugcatcher”). The “bugcatcher” is exchanged and the relay continues. - The fielder should move forward to receive the ball. Stay low when approaching the ball. Return the ball with 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. |
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RELAY ACTIVITIES - ADVANCED - COMBINATION BALL SKILLS - Follow the instructions as seen in the video. - Substitute other ball skills for variations. |
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RELAY ACTIVITIES - COMBINATION - Combine any number of skills in any order in an extended team relay. |
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PARTNER ACTIVITIES - BASIC - TEE BATTING DRIVE - Place the ball on the tee. Move the feet to the line of the ball and pick up the bat at the same time. The front knee should bend to provide a balanced platform. Swing the bat by unfolding the shoulders, arms, hands and bat towards the target. - To drive, place the ball on the tee. Move the feet to the line of the ball and pick up the bat at the same time. Dip shoulder at the line of the intended target. Swing the bat by unfolding the shoulders, arms, hands and bat towards the target. |
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PARTNER ACTIVITIES - BASIC - PARTNER BOWLING - Two people stand 8-10 metres apart, bowling the ball back and forth, with the ball projected into the pitch. - Start the delivery from a balanced position. - Pull the non-bowling elbow down to the leading hip, in line with the target. - With the bowling elbow moving down and backwards, trace a circle with the ball up to release. |
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PARTNER ACTIVITIES - BASIC - PARTNER THROW UNDERARM - With partners 8-10 metres away, the ball is exchanged with an underarm throw. - The fielder should be prepared to receive 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. |
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PARTNER ACTIVITIES - INTERMEDIATE - DROP AND DRIVE - Move feet to the line of the ball and pick the bat at the same time. - The front knee should bend to provide a balanced platform. - Swing the bat by unfolding the shoulders, arms, hands and bat towards the target. |
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PARTNER ACTIVITIES - INTERMEDIATE - TARGET BOWLING - Bowl the ball toward the lines/markers that are set out as a target on the pitch. - Start the delivery from a balanced position. Pull the non-bowling elbow down to the leading hip, in line with the target. - With the bowling elbow moving down and backwards, trace a circle with the ball up to release. Follow through towards the target. - Gradually increase the speed and distance of the approach, as well as decrease the size of the target to increase the difficulty. |
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PARTNER ACTIVITIES - INTERMEDIATE - PARTNER THROW OVERARM - With partners 20-30 metres apart, and a target placed in the middle, the ball is exchange back and forth, with each overarm throw intended to hit the target. - Return the ball with an overarm throw using the correct technique. |
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PARTNER ACTIVITIES - ADVANCED - UNDERARM AND DRIVE - There are three progressions for this activity: rolled underarm, underarm full toss, and underarm half volley. Roll/underarm the ball along the ground towards the batter. - Move feet to the line of the ball and pick the bat at the same time. - The front knee should bend to provide a balanced platform. - Swing the bat towards the target. |
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PARTNER ACTIVITIES - ADVANCED - PARTNER SWING BOWLING Two people stand 8-10 metres apart, bowling the ball back and forth, with the ball projected into the pitch. - Start the delivery from a balanced position. Pull the non-bowling elbow down to the leading hip, in line with the target. - With the bowling elbow moving down and backwards, trace a circle with the ball up to release. |
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PARTNER ACTIVITIES - ADVANCED - TARGET THROW OVERARM - With partners 20-30 metres apart, and a target placed in the middle, the ball is exchange back and forth, with each overarm throw intended to hit the target. - Return the ball with an overarm throw using the correct technique. |
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INDIVIDUAL ACTIVITIES - BASIC - BAT TAPPING - Hold the bat with two hands on the handle. - Control the ball by continually tapping it into the air. |
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INDIVIDUAL ACTIVITIES - BASIC - BODY CIRCLES - Pass the ball from one hand to the other, around the waist. - Increase speed to challenge individuals. - Pass the ball around other body parts or change direction for variation. |
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INDIVIDUAL ACTIVITIES - BASIC - FLICK AND CATCH - Place feet shoulder width apart and bend knees to establish a balanced, comfortable position. - With two hands on the ball behind your knees, flick the ball forward through your legs, catching it in two hands in front of your knees. - Continue by flicking the ball back in the reverse direction. - Repeat from the start, continuing back and forth. Increase speed to challenge individuals. |
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INDIVIDUAL ACTIVITIES - BASIC - RUN A TWO - Run to the marker with the bat in the hand father from the ball. The eyes should stay in a direction towards the ball. - Prepare the body to turn by getting low as the approach is made to the marker. - Slide the bat just prior to the marker and return to the start. - Change the bat to the other hand to keep eyes towards the ball. |
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INDIVIDUAL ACTIVITIES - INTERMEDIATE - BAT ROLLING - Hold the bat with two hands on the handle. - Control the ball by rolling it along the flat side of the bat. |
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INDIVIDUAL ACTIVITIES - INTERMEDIATE - PICK AND RETURN - Run to the ball and pick it up from the marker. - Prepare the body and hands low to the ground as the approach is made to the ball. - Continue around the marker and return the ball.
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INDIVIDUAL ACTIVITIES - INTERMEDIATE - BODY AWARENESS CATCHING - Hold the ball in one hand and pass the ball from behind the back to release the ball over the opposite shoulder, receiving a catch in the original hand. Repeat the activity for alternate hand. Look for the ball as it becomes visible from behind the shoulder. - Hold the ball in one hand and pass the ball from behind the back to release the ball over the same shoulder, receiving a catch in the original hand. Repeat the activity for the alternate hand/side of the body. Look for the ball as it becomes visible from behind the shoulder. - This activity will help develop body and spatial awareness. |
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INDIVIDUAL ACTIVITIES - ADVANCED - BAT SKILLS - Hold the bat with two hands on the handle. - Follow the instructions as seen in the video. |
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INDIVIDUAL ACTIVITIES - ADVANCED - PICK AND PLACE Run to the ball and pick it up from the marker. Prepare the body and hands low to the ground as the approach is made to the ball. Continue to the next marker and place the ball on top of the marker. Return to the start and complete the activity by collecting and returning the ball to the original marker. |
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INDIVIDUAL ACTIVITIES - ADVANCED - BODY AWARENESS CATCHING - Hold the ball behind the back in two hands. - Throw the ball directly over the head and catch in front of the body with two hands. - Look for the ball as it becomes visible above the head. - Then hold the ball in one hand in front of the body and throw it back over the head, catching the ball with two hands behind the back. |
