Cricket · Bowling · Tactics & match play

Bowling to a plan in the nets

Bowlers name a plan before each over, bowl to target boxes on the net pitch and score points only for balls that match what they said.

Plan: fourth stump, good lengthBwBtWkCOBw2
Start / 5
Time
30 min
Players
3–6
Age
U12+
Area
One net lane
Equipment
6 balls (hard ball or incrediball)8 cones or throw-down markers1 helmet with faceguard, pads and gloves (hard ball)1 bat1 plan cards and a clipboard

Setup

  1. One net lane with side netting, two bowlers and a batter in full protective gear. A keeper standing back is optional.
  2. Mark a good-length box just outside off stump with flat markers, and a smaller full-length box in line with the stumps.
  3. Write plans on cards, e.g. 'Four on a fourth-stump line, then a full straight one, then back to the line.' Adjust box lengths for pace or spin and the pitch length your association uses.
  4. Net rules: one ball at a time, the bowler waits until the batter is ready, and nobody walks behind or in front of the net while it's in use.

How it runs

  1. Before each over, the bowler tells the coach the plan out loud and which ball will be the variation.
  2. The bowler bowls six balls. The coach ticks each ball that lands where the bowler said it would and adds a bonus if the batter is beaten or bowled.
  3. The batter plays normally and tells the bowler after the over which ball was hardest to play and why.
  4. Bowlers alternate overs. Collect balls only when the coach calls the net clear.
  5. Keep each bowler's overs within your association's workload guidelines for their age, and stop anyone with back or side pain.

Coaching points

  • Commit to one plan for the over; changing your mind mid-run-up costs accuracy.
  • Use the same run-up and rhythm for stock balls and variations so the batter can't read the change.
  • Fix your eyes on the target box from the top of the run until release.
  • After each ball, quick self-review: on plan or off plan, and why.
  • Front foot must land with some part behind the popping crease; a plan is worth nothing if it's a no-ball.

Common mistakes

  • Trying a new variation every ball with no stock delivery to set it up.
  • Bowling flat out and losing the line instead of finding the right pace for the plan.
  • Overstepping when concentrating on the target.
  • Not listening to the batter's feedback.

Say it: “Say it, then bowl it.”

Make it harder

  • Smaller boxes, or the coach picks the variation ball number in secret and tells only the bowler.
  • Batter tries to score and calls where each shot would have gone; the bowler adjusts the plan next over.
  • Switch to a left-handed batter so the line has to be mirrored.

Make it easier

  • Bigger boxes and one plan for every ball, no variation.
  • Bowl from a shorter run-up or a few strides.
  • No batter: bowl at stumps and boxes only.

Reviewed by the Sportdify coaching team.