All Stars – Session Plan

U9s coaching is based on the ECB All Stars Program. To watch the videos you need to sign up at the ECB icoach website – its free :-
https://icoachcricket.ecb.co.uk/

Volcanoes & craters

• Video: https://icoachcricket.ecb.co.uk/activity/all-stars-cricket/690
• Aim:
  Get ready for action
  Different whole-body movements
  Teamwork
• Equipment: Balls, Cones, Bean Bags
• Organisation:
  Two teams – volcanoes and craters
  Spread cones out over playing area as volcanoes (down) and craters (up)
  The teams turn as many of their opposition’s cones over as possible
  Cones cannot be protected
  Use different types of movement around playing area
  Count the cones at the end to decide a winner
• Adaptation/variation:
  Easier
  S – Decrease size of playing area
  T – Use two hands to flip cones
  E – Use cones only
  P – Match players by ability
  More challenging
  S – Decrease size of playing area
  T – Place a ball or bean bag on or under a cone
  E – Introduce balls or bean bags
  P – Play with uneven teams or give one team a head start

Batting – Avoid the alien

• Video: https://icoachcricket.ecb.co.uk/activity/all-stars-cricket/695
• Aim:
  Watch and hit a moving ball with a free swing of the bat
  Watch and catch or stop a ball
• Equipment: For each player, Ball, Bat,  4 Cones
• Organisation:
  In pairs, one batting and one fielding
  One run awarded for hitting the ball through the first scoring zone
  Four runs awarded for hitting the ball through the second scoring zone
  Fielders attempt to stop the ball from going through the zones
  After six attempts, swap roles
• Adaptation/variation:
  Easier
  S – Increase the size of target
  T – Roll the ball to batter
  E – Use a larger ball
  P – Activator or volunteer feeds ball
  More challenging
  S – Decrease size of target
  T – Change type of feed
  E – Use a smaller ball or bat with a stump
  P – Players create own scoring rules or introduce more fielders

Bowling – Orbit bowling

• Video: https://icoachcricket.ecb.co.uk/activity/all-stars-cricket/686
• Aim:
  Straight arm when bowling
  Co-ordinate body movements for bowling action
• Equipment: Balls, Ropes, Stumps
• Organisation:
  Set up a circle using ropes or cones that is an appropriate size to challenge the group
  Players work in pairs with their partners stood directly opposite them across the circle
  To start the activity pairs bowl using a star shape and straight arm across the circle
  Introduce sets of stumps into the middle of the circle and ask players to knock them down as a group
  Once all stumps are knocked down the group put them back up and repeat
• Adaptation/variation:
  Easier
  Make the circle smaller
  Use larger balls
  Group the stumps closer together
  Change the shape to make some directions easier – (ie short side of rectangle)
  More challenging
  Make the circle larger, spread out stumps, turn them side-on or remove stumps
  Ask more developed players to have a run up to bowl
  Use adults in the circle defending the stumps with bats

Fielding – Around the Milky Way

• Video: https://icoachcricket.ecb.co.uk/activity/all-stars-cricket/696
• Aim:
  Different whole-body movements
  Watch and catch a ball
  Throw a ball
  Teamwork
• Equipment: Balls, Cones
• Organisation:
  Lay out lots of stars as gates using cones
  In pairs, players have to visit each star and pass the ball back and forth to complete two catches
  Set time limits to see how many catches can be completed
  Get pairs to think about their route
  Adaptation/variation:
  Easier
  S – Decrease size of playing area
  T – Roll ball between pairs
  E – Use larger ball
  P – Match players by ability
  More challenging
  S – Increase size of playing area
  T – Change types of throw and catch
  E – Use smaller ball
  P – Introduce scoring for pairs

Game – Continuous cricket

• Video: https://icoachcricket.ecb.co.uk/activity/all-stars-cricket/667
• Aim:
  Batters score runs
  Fielders help wicket taking
  Teamwork
• Equipment: For each game: Balls, Bats, Cones, Stumps
• Organisation:
  Two teams, four players maximum on each side
  Bowler, activator or volunteer bowls
  After hitting the ball, batter scores by running around the cones
  Fielders return ball to bowler as quickly as possible
  Bowler can bowl at any time once they have the ball
  Batters can be caught or bowled out
  Three hits per batter and rotate
  Both teams bat
• Adaptation/variation:
  Easier
  S – Decrease running distance or spread fielders out
  T – Activator or volunteer feeds or bowls for both teams
  E – Use larger ball
  P – Change the game to suit the batter’s ability
  More challenging
  S – Increase running distance
  T – Introduce scoring zones
  E – Use smaller ball
  P – Introduce scoring or increase the number of fielders