How to Teach Cricket

Cricket is an individual sport played by a team; each player must perform solo at some time. Batsmen play both for themselves and the team. Likewise, bowlers need team support but perform independently. So you teach individual skills and group commitment, in full sessions and one-on-one. You will need some practical knowledge and expertise in the game. Teach with humor, patience and above all a love for cricket.

Things You'll Need

• DVD player
• Cricket videos
• Cricket bats
• One ball for two players
• Stumps
• Bails
• Pitch
• Practice nets

Instructions

Starting

1. Start by assuming little or no knowledge of the game among your students--and banish all comparison with baseball and softball. Words like 'runs', 'innings' and 'ball' have completely different meanings in cricket. But don't pretend to know more than you do. "Students can spot waffle a mile off," says Julian Knight in his book Cricket for Dummies.

2. Bring some video examples of the game and prepare drills that will spark interest and which students can keep using as their skills increase.

3. Show the equipment, how to grip the bat, how to stand at the crease and the stance. Demonstrate the importance of footwork and and a sound back-lift. Work in pairs but not too long initially. Students will be keen to just hit the ball. Finer technique points can come later. Show how finger placement affects the ball's movement when bowling. Seek out the better bowlers from the start and give them individual sessions on technique. Says Julian Knight, "the best coaches are those who look to spend time with every player. Because they know every player deserves to play to the best of their ability."

Reinforcement

1. Practice the batsman's forward defensive stroke and let them make the transition with more power to a scoring stroke. Use throw-downs from 15 to 20 feet away to teach how to get the front foot to the pitch of the ball; practice in pairs.

2. Demonstrate the bowling action, first with a one-stride delivery. Make sure the arm is straight at the elbow at the moment of delivery, or it is deemed a throw--an illegal action. Initiate practice in pairs, from stump to stump.

3. Keep to routine at hour-long practice sessions, repeating old lessons and bringing in new ones. Begin with catching in a semi-circle, throwing the ball to each student to practice the technique of soft, giving hands to make the play. Practice ground-fielding next, off the bat, and then catches in the deep. Move to the nets for individual batting practice after about 15 minutes.

Individual

1. Give each player about 10 minutes, which means probably two nets in operation. Watch progress from behind them, where you'll be close enough to give tips. Bowlers will take turns, giving the batsman a mixture of styles in the one session. It keeps them on their toes.

2. Act as an umpire in matches, sharing the duties with another coach or teacher. You'll be close to give coaching tips, but you must also be impartial.

3. Encourage players in the game's etiquette, for example, politely applauding the opposition captain's arrival at the crease and individual batting milestones like 50 or 100 runs. The opposition will do the same for your students.

References

• Cricket For Dummies, Julian Knight, 2006