Cricket · Game · Running between wickets

Non-stop cricket

A fast junior game: hit it and you must run round a cone and back, while the bowler bowls again as soon as the ball returns.

BtB2B3BwWkF1F2F3
Start / 6
Time
20 min
Players
8–16
Age
U5–U11
Area
About 30 × 30 m
Equipment
2 lightweight bats2 soft balls1 set of stumps or a bin10 cones

Setup

  1. One wicket for the batter and a bowling cone 8–12 m in front of it; shorten for younger players (check your association's junior format).
  2. Put a running cone 8–10 m out to the side of the wicket, square of the batter.
  3. The batting team queues well behind and to the side of the wicket, away from the running path, with the next batter holding the spare bat.
  4. Fielders spread out in front of the bat, none closer than about 8 m. Hats, sunscreen and water ready.

How it runs

  1. The bowler (the coach for the youngest) bowls underarm or overarm at the wicket.
  2. If the batter hits the ball they must run round the running cone and back; each trip is one run. Many versions also make the batter run if the ball touches the bat or body; agree this before you start.
  3. Fielders return the ball to the bowler, who bowls again straight away, ready batter or not. That is the 'non-stop' part.
  4. The batter is out if bowled (including when the ball hits the wicket while they are still running) or caught. The next batter runs straight in, and the out batter goes to the back of the queue.
  5. When every batter has had a go (or after a set time), swap teams. Highest team total wins.

Coaching points

  • Batters: hit into the space and go; don't wait to watch the ball.
  • Run round the cone close and tight, and slide the bat back over the line.
  • Fielders: get the ball back to the bowler quickly with a flat throw or a fast roll.
  • Bowler: aim at the wicket every ball; a quick, accurate ball beats a fast wild one.

Common mistakes

  • Batters dropping the bat when they run; carry it so the next ball can be played.
  • Fielders all chasing the same ball. Call 'mine' and back each other up.
  • The batting queue drifting towards the wicket or the running path.

Say it: “Hit it, run it, get back.”

Make it harder

  • Move the running cone further out.
  • Fielders must pass the ball through two teammates before it goes back to the bowler.

Make it easier

  • Use a bigger target or let the batter hit off a tee.
  • House rule: one-hand-one-bounce catches count as out.

Reviewed by the Sportdify coaching team.