Under 9s Session Plans- Week 6

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/

Warm Up – Head, shoulders, knees, ball

• Video: https://icoachcricket.ecb.co.uk/activity/all-stars-cricket/694
• Aim: Fast reactions, Listening, Competition
• Equipment: Balls, Cones
• Organisation:
  All Stars find a partner and start facing each other either side of a cone with a ball on top. A few yards behind each All Star is another cone
  All Stars touch body parts as instructed by activator
  When they hear ‘cone’ they race around the cone behind them
  When they hear ‘ball’ they race to pick up the ball quicker than their partner
• Adaptation/variation:
  Easier
  More time between instruction
  Use small number of instructions
  Shorten distance to cone behind them
  Use larger ball
  More challenging
  Speed up rate of instructions
  Vary instructions to complete tasks as well as finding body parts
  Start with their backs to each other
  Increase distance to cone behind them

Batting – The Space Race

• Video: https://icoachcricket.ecb.co.uk/activity/all-stars-cricket/692
• Aim: Watch and hit a moving ball with a free swing of the bat
• Equipment: For each player, Ball, Bat, Cones
• Organisation:
  Players need to visit as many ‘planets’ (sets of cones) as possible by dribbling the ball with their bat
  Players can visit the planets in any order ?
  Activator should aim to get as many players moving as possible ?
  With more space, include more planets?
• Adaptation/variation:
  Easier
  S – Decrease size of course and/or increase size of planets
  T – Move around without ball
  E – Use larger ball
  P – Play in teams
  More challenging
  S – Increase size of course and/or decrease size of planets
  T – Bounce ball on bat
  E – Use smaller ball and/or stump
  P – Compete as an individual or in pairs

Bowling – Rapid rocket bowling

• Video: https://icoachcricket.ecb.co.uk/activity/all-stars-cricket/70884
• Aim: Straight arm when bowling
  Co-ordinate body movements for bowling action
• Equipment: Balls, Cones, Rope, Stumps
• Organisation:
  In pairs, one bowling and one keeping wicket
  Bowler aims to land their ball in the target area
  After six balls, swap roles
• Adaptation/variation:
  Easier
  S – Decrease pitch length
  T – Aim for target rather than stumps
  E – Use larger ball and/or two sets of stumps
  P – Match players by ability
  More challenging
  S – Increase pitch length
  T – Remove stump each time one is hit until none are left
  E – Use smaller ball
  P – Compete in a relay against other pairs or teams

Fielding – Catching Comets

• Video: https://icoachcricket.ecb.co.uk/activity/all-stars-cricket/706
• Aim: Watch and catch a ball
  Throw a ball
  Teamwork
• Equipment: Balls, Bean bags, Cones
• Organisation:
  In pairs, players form a circle with the rest of the group and stand opposite their partner
  All pairs then throw and catch their ball at the same time
• Adaptation/variation:
  Easier
  S – Smaller circle
  T – Underarm throws or roll the ball
  E – Larger balls or bean bags
  P – Match pairs by ability
  More challenging
  S – Bigger circle
  T – After a catch, take a step back and/or use different throws
  E – Smaller balls and/or obstacles such as stumps
  P – Ask players to change rules, play in trios instead of 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