5 Essential Tips for Teaching Cricket in Primary Schools
As summer approaches, it’s time to bring out the classic summer sports in PE, such as athletics, tennis, rounders, and cricket. But among these, many teachers find teaching cricket the most daunting. It’s often seen as too technical, space-intensive, or equipment-heavy.
But with the right approach, teaching cricket in primary schools can be fun, simple, and inclusive. With over a decade of experience teaching cricket lesson plans for primary schools, I’m here to share 5 practical tips to help you confidently teach cricket
1. Use the Right Cricket Equipment for Schools
You don’t need expensive kit to deliver great cricket activities for primary school. You only need a Kwik Cricket set—lightweight plastic bats, balls, and stumps designed for kids.
Try to offer different bat sizes and even include tennis rackets or paddle bats to build success with striking. Soft tennis balls work well and reduce safety concerns. Having the right cricket equipment for schools makes setup and play easier for everyone.
2. Get Creative with Space
Another challenge teachers face when teaching cricket is the lack of space. Although this issue can apply to many activities, cricket is commonly seen as being played on a field over a large area.
For example, use circle formations for batting or bowling drills. Children can rotate through roles and practice simultaneously. Learning how to play cricket in school means adapting to your environment, which can range from school fields to school halls.
3. Focus Each Cricket Lesson on One Skill
Cricket involves many skills, such as batting, bowling, catching and fielding. So, when you're planning, choose one objective per lesson.
If you are focusing on batting, don’t worry about how the ball is delivered—focus on giving children lots of chances to strike. Clear learning goals simplify teaching cricket and help pupils improve specific cricket skills for primary school.
4. Prioritise Fun and Fundamentals Over Perfect Technique
When you teach cricket, don’t get stuck on textbook technique. Focus on three key fundamentals: throwing, catching, and striking.
Start simple and let children explore different shots, bowling styles, and fielding techniques without fear of failure. Limit teaching points to 3 or 4 per skill to avoid overwhelming them. This approach boosts confidence and ensures that cricket games for children are enjoyable and accessible.
5. Keep Kids Moving with Small-Sided Cricket Games
A typical view of teaching cricket in primary schools is that there is a lot of standing around, waiting for something to happen! This isn’t the case and shouldn’t be so in your PE lessons. The best way to engage pupils and keep them active during cricket lessons is to have a small group size in any activity or game.
This keeps pupils engaged, gives them more turns at batting or bowling, and increases fielding opportunities. Smaller groups also make cricket for schools more inclusive and active, precisely what a good cricket lesson should be.
Final Thoughts
Teaching cricket in primary schools doesn’t need to be intimidating. With the right equipment, creative planning, and a focus on fun, you can help children develop foundational cricket skills and a lifelong love for the game.
Ready to plan your next unit? Try these ideas out and make cricket one of the highlights of your summer term!
Want more guidance on adapting PE lessons? Sign up for a free trial below or check out our blog on the STEP principle. And stay tuned for more tips on cricket activities for primary schools and beyond!
This is the first in a series of blog posts I will share about teaching primary PE lessons with practical hints and tips for all teachers.
All the best,
Jack