Ring fielding: saving the single

Setup

1. Mark an inner ring with cones about 15–20 m from the bat. Six fielders stand on it at point, cover, mid-off, mid-on, midwicket and square leg, with a keeper standing back.
2. A feeder gives throw-downs or underarm feeds from the bowler's end, standing to the side of the stumps.
3. A batting pair is padded up; with a hard ball, both wear helmets with faceguards.

How it runs

1. As the feeder releases each ball, every ring fielder walks in two or three steps so they are moving forward when the ball is hit.
2. The striker tries to play the ball softly into the ring and the pair run whenever a single looks possible.
3. Fielders attack the ball and throw to the end where the run out is more likely, aiming for the keeper's or feeder's gloves above the stumps. No throws at the stumps with anyone in line.
4. Scoring: the batting pair gets a point for each run; the fielding side gets a point for every dot ball and three for a run out.
5. Twelve balls per pair, then swap. Fielders rotate one position clockwise each round.

Coaching points

• Walk in on the balls of your feet and be balanced, not still running, at the moment of the hit.
• Attack the ball hard and pick up on the throwing side; underarm flick if close, short sharp overarm if further away.
• Glance at the runners as you approach and throw to the end where the batter is further from safety.
• Feeder and keeper: get to the stumps quickly and give a clear target with the gloves.
• Captain sets the ring for the batter: closer to save the single, deeper to cut off boundaries.

Common mistakes

• Standing flat-footed as the ball is hit, then reacting late.
• Walking in too far and being beaten by a firm push.
• Throwing to the wrong end out of habit.
• Fielders backing up in line with a direct throw; back up wide and deep instead.