1. Demonstrate urgency in acquiring runs in a given time
2. Attempt both attacking and defensive play as a batter
3. Attempt ring field placement, including mid-on, mid-off, mid-wicket and cover

Skill Development: Fielding positions for restricting runs

1. I can decide when to run to maximise my score
2. I can adapt my batting to defend my wicket or try and score runs
3. I can adapt my fielding to attack and restrict runs

Implement a range of techniques in a competitive situation

L Discuss and select tactics for fielding attacking as a team
N Able to work out how many runs they require each over to beat a score set

Relay throw – Set the class into groups of 3 with one ball each. Two of the players face each other roughly 8/10 metres apart. The third player stands in the middle. The objective is to count how many passes they do as a team in one minute to beat the other teams. A player at one end throws the ball to the person in the middle who catches and turns and throws the ball to the player at the other end. The third player then passes back to the middle player who returns to the first player.

Extension: Increase the distance, change the types of passes, change the person in the middle

Play in groups of 8, players work in pairs, that rotate through the roles.  Batters work in pairs to score runs from innings of a set length of 2 overs (12 balls). The batting pair play against six other fielders, who adopt the roles of bowler, wicketkeeper and fielders. Runs can be scored by running between wickets for singles or hitting the ball into a designated zone for 4/6. Alternatively, a boundary can be set up as in a full game of pairs cricket. Batters can be caught, bowled, stumped or run out.  After 2 overs pairs rotate.

• Pair 1 – Batters
• Pair 2 – Bowler and wicketkeeper
• Pair 3 – Fielding pair
• Pair 4 – Fielding pair

Development:  Hit a ball off a tee.  Use bats with a bigger surface area such as a stoolball bat

Challenge:  Set up specific zones to score points.  Increase the size of the pitch

Setting a Ring Field – Players should understand that a ‘Ring field’ is set to stop batters from scoring singles. The fielding ring forces the batter to take risky shots in the air to try and hit the ball over the fielders.  Because the ball is in the air, there are opportunities for fielders to take a catch.

Bring the class in and explain the positions in a ring field; use the hand outs; each group should have a handout to consult.  In this lesson we will cover 4 of 6 ring fielding positions.  Pupils should already be familier with Mid on and mid off fielding positions from the Year 5 unit.

Ring field positions

1. Mid on (on side)
2. Mid off (off side)
3. Mid wicket (on side)
4. Cover (off side)

Using one group, place a fielder in each position to show the class where they should be stood in relation to the batter.  Show the set-up with a right-handed batsman, and then switch to a left-handed batsman.  Remind children that the on side and the off side of the pitch switch if the batter is left-handed; therefore the fielding positions also switch.

Go back into the AFL game, but this time explain that whoever is bowling will ‘set the field’. This means they will tell the fielders which position they want them to stand before the bowler comes into bowl. They can change a fielder’s position between each ball, reacting to where a batter likes to hit it to prevent them from scoring.  They may keep copies of the handout to consult the positions.

Development:  For groups struggling with the concept of on and off side, or to remember the positions, simply encourage them to set a ring field with 2 fielders on either side of the wicket spread out in front of the batter.

to create pressure on a batter by setting a ring field

Fielding in the ring

• When fielding in the ring, players need to stay alert and be prepared for any ball to come their way.
• They should anticipate the possibility of every ball being hit towards them and be ready to react quickly to stop it.
• It’s important to have confidence in your ability to restrict runs, so even if catching the ball is not possible, try to intercept it in some way to prevent the opposing team from scoring.

1. Why would fielders want to set a ring field?
2. Name the four ring positions from today’s lesson (some say if they are on the on or off side)
3. What type of shots did you try in the game, can you describe an occasion where one of your shots was successful?