Cricket · Cool-down

Cool-down and review

Bring the heart rate down with an easy jog and walk, stretch the muscles cricket works hardest, then review the session as a group.

P1P2P3P4P5P6CO
Start / 5
Time
10 min
Players
2–20
Age
U10+
Area
40 × 30 m
Equipment
4 coneswater bottles

Setup

  1. Mark a large square with four cones, ideally with shade close by.
  2. Players bring their water bottles; put the kit away first so nothing is left lying on the running path.

How it runs

  1. Easy jog for one lap of the square, then walk a lap, breathing slowly.
  2. Gather in a circle round the coach for gentle stretches, each held still for a slow count of 15–20 with no bouncing: calves, hamstrings, quads, hip flexors, chest and shoulders, triceps over the head, and a lying back twist.
  3. Bowlers add an extra shoulder and side stretch and tell the coach how many overs they bowled today, so the coach can track bowling load against your association's guidelines.
  4. Review: each player says one thing that went well and one thing to practise. The coach finishes with the key message for next session.

Coaching points

  • Slow everything down: the aim is to finish calmer than you started.
  • Stretch to a gentle pull, never to pain.
  • Drink water now, and keep drinking when you get home, especially on a hot day.
  • Tell the coach about any soreness, especially back or side pain in bowlers.

Common mistakes

  • Rushing the stretches or skipping them to get home.
  • Holding the breath while stretching.
  • Reviews that only list mistakes. Start with what went well.

Say it: “Slow down, stretch, share one win.”

Make it harder

  • Players lead the stretches in pairs and coach each other on positions.
  • Each player sets a target for next session and checks it at the next review.

Make it easier

  • Walk both laps instead of jogging.
  • Use a thumbs-up, thumbs-sideways, thumbs-down vote for the review.

Reviewed by the Sportdify coaching team.