Cricket · Wicketkeeping

Keeping standing up to medium pace and spin

Keepers stand up to the stumps for medium pace and spin, taking off-side and leg-side balls cleanly and stumping when the batter leaves the crease.

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Start / 5
Time
25 min
Players
3–6
Age
U13+
Area
Pitch or net lane
Equipment
6 balls (incrediball first, then hard ball)2 sets of stumps with bails1 keeping helmet with faceguard1 keeping gloves, inners and pads1 box or abdominal guard1 helmet with faceguard, pads and gloves for the batter (hard ball)

Setup

  1. A pitch or net with stumps at both ends. One medium-pace bowler and one spinner share the bowling; a batter in full gear plays and misses or leaves on purpose.
  2. The keeper stands up, a little behind the stumps and just outside the line of off stump, so they can see the ball all the way.
  3. With a hard ball the keeper must wear a helmet with a faceguard when standing up; many associations make this compulsory for juniors. Start with incrediballs to build confidence.

How it runs

  1. Bowlers alternate, six balls each. The batter mixes leaves, plays and misses, and occasionally lunges or steps out of the crease.
  2. The keeper takes every ball. When the batter's back foot and bat are both out of the crease, the keeper takes and breaks the wicket: a stumping.
  3. Coach calls 'off' or 'leg' from behind the bowler to tell the bowler which side to aim for, so the keeper practises both.
  4. Three rounds of twelve balls, then rotate keepers. Bowlers keep their overs within their association's workload guidelines.
  5. Remind everyone of the Law: the batter is stumped only if out of the ground (nothing grounded behind the popping crease) and not attempting a run.

Coaching points

  • Stay down in the crouch until the ball has bounced, then rise with it. Rising early is the most common reason for fumbles.
  • Head still and in line with the ball; move the feet across rather than reaching with the hands.
  • Leg side: step across with the inside leg, keep the head inside the line of the ball and take it with fingers pointing down or sideways.
  • Soft hands that give back towards the hip, then bring the gloves straight to the stumps in one short movement.
  • Watch the batter's back foot out of the corner of your eye, but always watch the ball into the gloves first.

Common mistakes

  • Standing up too early and having to come down again for low balls.
  • Snatching at the ball with stiff fingers, which causes drops and sore hands.
  • Big swinging movement to the stumps, which loses time.
  • Turning the head away when the batter swings.

Say it: “Stay low, rise with it, short to the stumps.”

Make it harder

  • Batter plays shots and edges are allowed, so the keeper must react to deflections.
  • Spinner varies flight and turn without telling the keeper.
  • Keeper stumps only on a late call from the coach to sharpen decision-making.

Make it easier

  • Feeder throws from 10–12 m on one side only.
  • Incrediballs and no batter until the take is clean.
  • Slower medium pace or only spin to begin with.

Reviewed by the Sportdify coaching team.