Drills | Cricket coaching, fitness and tips

Cricket bestseller list

Every now and again I reveal what books are selling fastest through the Amazon store we have here on miCoach.

As you may already know, I get a small commission (about 4%) every time you buy a book, DVD or anything else through this site. I use the vouchers Amazon sends me to buy more books and help make miCoach better (and to keep it free).

So here are the latest bestselling cricket books through miCoach, in order of popularity:

Fielding Drills: Run out chance

Filed in:

Purpose: To practice ground fielding, backing up and throwing under pressure.

Description: The wicketkeeper (WK) rolls the ball out to position 1. At the same time the batter sets of for a quick single. The fielder must throw down the non striker stumps to run the batsman out. He or she then runs to back of the queue at position 2.

Fielding Drills: Double slip cordon

Filed in:
Purpose: To practice close catching continuously.

Description: Players from two slip cordons around 10m from the coach (c). The coach then hits alternately to each group with either a pull or cut shot. Players return the ball after catching it to make it easy for the coach to hit.

Variation: To make this easier for the coach a Fusion Skyer or 2 Katchets can be used instead.

Fielding Drills: Close catching relay game

Filed in:
Purpose: To practice close catching technique under pressure.

Description: This is a competitive game between two or more teams of any number of players.

Player 1 is the feeder and throws the ball to each player in his team for a close catch. Once each player has caught the ball and returned it cleanly, player 1 runs to the position of player 2. All the other players move along one place so player 4 is now the feeder.

Fielding Drills: Square Catching

Filed in:

Purpose: To allow 5 fielders to practice throwing and flat catching (with a little ground fielding thrown in too). This drill seems a little complex at first but don't be put off. It is excellent and flexible practice especially for before games.

Description: Player 1 rolls the ball to player to who runs in, picks up and throws to player 3 to catch. He then follows the ball to where player 3 is standing (figures 1 and 2).

Fielding Drills: Big circle, little circle

Filed in:

Purpose: To practice throwing and catching under pressure and to develop cricket specific agility/coordination.

Description: On the call of 'go' from the coach player A sprints around the inner circle. At the same time the players on the corners of the outer circle throw the ball around back to the start position without dropping it. Player A must attempt to get back to the start before the ball. Players then change places.

Fielding Drills: Catcher in the middle

Filed in:

Purpose: To practice flat catches and backing up at various distances

Description: Players line up as per the diagram in groups of three. The coach (c) hits the ball out to the nearest catcher. If the ball goes wide of the catcher the backup catchers must catch or stop the ball. Rotate players every third catch.

Variation: The nearest catcher can simulate bowling before the ball is hit back to them to recreate caught and bowled practice. High catches can also be added for variety.

Fielding Drills: Over the shoulder number

Filed in:

Purpose: To practice both underarm pickup returns and catching a high ball over the shoulder.

Description: This drill is done in pairs and is a good fielding warm up. The players stand 20m opposite each other with one ball. The player with the ball rolls the ball along the ground so his partner can pick up the ball and underarm it back. Once the ball has been returned it is instantly thrown back over the players head so a catch can be taken over the shoulder. The drill can then be repeated for the other player.

Fielding drills: High catching fitness

Filed in:

Purpose: To develop catching on the run and whilst tired.

Description: Player 1 has the job of catching as many high catches as possible. Player 2 starts by throwing or hitting a high catch to player 1 who runs and catches it and rolls it back. Player 3 then throws the ball so player 1 has to run and catch it again. Repeat for a set number then rotate the players.

Fielding Drills: Decision Maker

Filed in:

Purpose: To practice judging and catching high balls.

Description: The coach (c) hits high catches in between the two lines. Players have to judge who is best placed to catch the ball and call for it. Once caught the ball is throw back to the wicketkeeper.

Lines swap over halfway through the session.