How to Teach Cricket in Schools

Teach with love for the game. Teach with patience and good humor. Teach expecting results. Schools may have a centuries-old cricket tradition or may be adopting it for the first time. If you are starting novices you have a great opportunity to put them on the right path. The challenge will be to impart individual skills in a group learning environment. Be prepared to mix one-on-one and group sessions.

Things You'll Need

  • DVD player
  • Cricket DVDs
  • Cricket bats
  • One ball per two players
  • Stumps
  • Pitch
  • Practice nets
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Instructions

  1. Preparation

    • 1

      Bring a thorough knowledge of the game, acquired over many years playing and watching. If you have not seen much cricket, contact a local cricket club--they are everywhere, even in the United States--before you start classes. Kids can spot waffle a mile off, says Julian Knight in his book "Cricket for Dummies."

    • 2

      Have some video examples of the game available if your students have never seen one.

    • 3

      Prepare interesting drills and organize a set time and day for practice. Insist on regular attendance, as there is much to learn.

    • 4

      Establish a routine of, a) new skill learning, b) reinforcement of previous lesson, c) supervised practice in the nets, with each player having a turn at bat.

    • 5

      Demonstrate the basic equipment. Show how to grip the bat, the stance and back-lift. Get them to copy and then work in pairs. Don't spend too long at first. They will be anxious to just hit the ball. Finer technique points can come later.

    • 6

      Show the basic ball grips for medium-pace bowling. Once you identify your better bowlers, take individual sessions on technique.

    Drills

    • 7

      Batting: Practice the forward defensive stroke and demonstrate how, with more power, it becomes a scoring stroke. Teach getting to the pitch of the ball with throw-downs from a short distance away. Practice in pairs.

    • 8

      Bowling: Demonstrate the action, beginning with one stride, side-on to the batsman. Keep the arm straight at the elbow, otherwise it's a throw, which is illegal. Practice in pairs, from stump to stump, 22 yards apart.

    • 9

      Fielding: Practice catching in pairs or small groups, learning to take the ball with "soft," giving hands. Hit high balls, calling out each player in turn and reminding them of the technique; hands at eye level and cupped, knees bent and the arms ready to take the ball into the chest for a successful catch. Practice throwing the ball in from the outfield accurately, over a stump to the wicket-keeper.

    The Match

    • 10

      Devote a whole school day to a match with another school. Most matches take several hours and have breaks for lunch. Be prepared.

    • 11

      Coach from the middle. As a teacher you'll probably be one of the umpires, sharing the duties with the other school's teacher. Deliver tips to your players on the spot, but also be an impartial arbiter of the game.

    • 12

      Keep order and teach respect for the opposition in many little ways. It is traditional to applaud the opposition captain when they come to bat and to applaud any opposition success, as they will yours.