Three fielding drills for 13–17s and open grades

Attack the ball, stop it in the deep and back up every throw. Works with 6 to 12 players and a keeper.

Good fielding saves runs and creates run-outs. These three drills fit into about 40 minutes. You need a keeper, a coach to feed the ball and a set of stumps at each end of a pitch.

Before you start:

Warm up throwing arms with short, easy throws before anyone throws hard.
Start with a tennis ball or a softer training ball. Move to a match ball once the technique is solid.
The keeper wears gloves. Everyone else stays out of the line of the throw.

1. Attack the ball and throw to the keeper

The coach stands near the batter's stumps and rolls the ball out into the covers. Fielders queue on the edge of the inner circle and go one at a time.

C rolls the ball into the covers; 1 runs in, picks it up and throws to WK over the stumps; 2 goes next

Run in hard, then slow down and get low as you reach the ball.
Pick up the ball beside your throwing-side foot, so you can throw without an extra step.
Turn side-on, point your front shoulder at the keeper and throw flat.
Aim for the keeper's gloves, right above the stumps.
Five goes each, then rotate. Swap the keeper often.

Coach it: attack the ball, don't wait for it. Low to pick up, side-on to throw.

2. Long barrier in the deep

Use this for a ball hit hard along the ground in the deep. Here, stopping the ball matters more than speed.

C sends the ball along the ground; 1 gets in line, makes a long barrier and throws to T at the stumps

Move your feet early, so your body is in line with the ball.
Turn side-on and go down on one knee. That knee touches the heel of your other foot, so there's no gap.
Hands together in front of your knee, fingers pointing down.
Gather the ball, stand up, step towards T and throw.
Four goes each, then rotate. Feed the ball harder as players get confident.

Coach it: body behind the ball. If your hands miss it, your legs stop it.

3. Back up every throw

Every throw at the stumps needs a fielder behind it. A throw that gets past the keeper with nobody backing up gives away overthrows.

C rolls the ball to 1, who throws to WK; 2 runs in behind WK, in line with the throw, to back up

As soon as the ball is rolled, the backing-up fielder runs to get in line behind the keeper.
Stand well back, in line with the throw. Too close and the ball is past you before you can move.
Keeper: get to the stumps fast, with your gloves above the bails.
Once a round, the keeper lets a throw go by on purpose, so the back-up has something to stop.
Rotate so every player has a turn throwing, keeping and backing up.

Coach it: every ball, ask yourself “Who's backing up?” If it's you, go.