Running between wickets is where young batters learn that cricket is not only about boundaries. A smart Under-14 player can build pressure on the fielding side by taking safe singles, running hard twos and rotating strike with confidence.
Lesson snapshot
Use this as the quick coaching map before reading the full running and strike rotation guide.
How this lesson should be used
Many junior players spend most of their training time on batting shots and bowling skills. Running between wickets is often ignored until a run-out happens in a match. That is too late. Running is a skill that must be taught, practised and reviewed like any other cricket skill.
A young batter who can run well becomes harder to bowl to. Dot-ball pressure reduces because the player knows how to steal singles. Partnerships become stronger because both batters communicate better. The fielding side is forced to stay alert because every small mistake can become a run.
Who this lesson is for
This lesson is for Under-14 cricketers who want to become more complete batters. It is especially useful for players who freeze after hitting the ball, call too softly, run only when the ball is hit hard, turn slowly, or forget to back up at the non-striker’s end.
It is also useful for parents and coaches because young players often misunderstand running. They think running is only about being fast. In reality, good running is about early communication, awareness, body position, decision-making and trust between partners.
What the player will learn
The player will learn how to call clearly, use yes, no and wait correctly, back up safely, run the first run hard, turn with the bat grounded, look for twos and understand how strike rotation changes the pressure in an innings.
The player will also learn that strike rotation is not the same as risky running. The goal is not to run every ball. The goal is to recognise safe scoring chances earlier than the fielding side expects.
Why running between wickets matters
In junior cricket, many innings slow down because batters wait for boundary balls. When boundaries do not come, pressure builds. The batter starts playing risky shots and wickets fall. Good running gives the batter another way to score.
Running also improves teamwork. Batters must trust each other. They must call loudly, respond quickly and understand who has the better view of the ball. These habits help players become smarter match players, not just better net players.
A player who rotates strike well can support a stronger partner, protect a new batter, keep a bowler from settling and turn average balls into useful runs. At Under-14 level, this is a major performance advantage.
Step-by-step coaching guide
Step 1 — Learn the three main calls
The three basic calls are yes, no and wait. Young players must learn what each call means and when to use it. A yes call means both batters commit to the run. A no call means both batters stay or return immediately. A wait call means the batter needs more information before deciding.
The call must be loud, early and confident. A late call creates confusion. A soft call creates hesitation. A changing call creates run-outs.
Step 2 — Understand who should call
The batter who hits the ball usually calls for balls in front of the wicket because they can see where the ball has gone. The non-striker often helps for balls behind the striker or when they have a clearer view of the fielder.
Coaches should not overcomplicate this for beginners. Start with a simple rule: the player with the clearest view must call loudly and the partner must respond quickly.
Step 3 — Back up with control
Backing up means the non-striker moves forward as the bowler releases the ball, staying alert and ready to run. Many young players stand still and lose time. Others back up too far and risk being run out.
The non-striker should back up with awareness, watch the batter and be ready to respond. This small habit can turn a slow single into an easy single.
Step 4 — Run the first run hard
The first run should be fast and committed. Young players often jog the first run and then realise a second run was possible. By then, it is too late.
Coaches should teach players to run the first run hard, turn properly and then decide whether a second run is safe. A hard first run creates options.
Step 5 — Turn safely and efficiently
The turn is where many runs are lost. Players slow down too much, turn the wrong way, fail to ground the bat or look at the ball instead of preparing for the next run.
The batter should slide or ground the bat past the crease, turn with the body facing the ball where possible and push off quickly if a second run is available.
Step 6 — Rotate strike with smart shots
Strike rotation is not only about running. It also depends on batting choices. Soft hands, controlled pushes and awareness of field gaps help batters take singles safely.
A player does not need a big shot every ball. Sometimes the best cricket shot is a controlled push into a gap and a clear call.
Simple running sequence: 1. Watch the ball 2. Call early 3. Commit or stop 4. Run the first hard 5. Ground the bat 6. Turn and look 7. Decide on the next runCoaching cues
Running cues must be short and loud. Players need phrases they can remember under match pressure.
Common mistakes and how to fix them
| Common mistake | What happens | How to fix it |
|---|---|---|
| Calling too softly | The partner hesitates and the run becomes risky. | Use calling drills where the run only counts if the call is loud and early. |
| Changing the call late | Both batters move in different directions and run-out chances increase. | Teach players to make a clear first decision and use “no” early if unsure. |
| Ball-watching after contact | The batter forgets to run even when a single is available. | Use hit-and-call drills where the player must call immediately after contact. |
| Not backing up | The non-striker loses time and easy singles become tight singles. | Practise backing up on every delivery, even during throwdowns. |
| Jogging the first run | The team misses twos and puts pressure on the next shot. | Time the first run and reward players for hard first-run effort. |
| Turning without grounding the bat | The player loses distance and risks being short of the crease. | Use crease-touch drills with correct bat slide and push-off. |
Practice drills
This drill teaches clear communication before speed is added. It helps players understand that a good call must be loud, early and decisive.
Equipment needed: Bat, cones and open space.
Setup: Two players stand as striker and non-striker. Coach points or rolls the ball into different zones.
Instructions: The striker must call yes, no or wait based on the ball location. Both players respond immediately.
Coaching focus: Loud voice, early decision and partner response.
Beginner version: No running, only calls and first movement.
Advanced version: Add a fielder and make players judge real pressure.
Success target: 15 correct calls from 20 scenarios.
Correction tip: If calls are late, slow the drill down and ask the player to call before the ball stops.
This drill builds non-striker awareness and first-run intensity. It teaches players that the run begins before the ball is hit.
Equipment needed: Bat, cones and stumps or crease markers.
Setup: One player acts as non-striker. Coach simulates bowler release and ball contact.
Instructions: The non-striker backs up on release, reacts to the call and sprints the first run hard.
Coaching focus: Safe backing up, quick reaction and hard first run.
Beginner version: Coach gives a clear yes or no call.
Advanced version: Player must judge the call from ball direction.
Success target: 10 sharp first runs with controlled backing up.
Correction tip: If the player backs up too far, mark a safe backing-up zone with a cone.
This drill teaches players how to turn efficiently for twos. It is one of the most important running drills for junior cricket.
Equipment needed: Bat, cones and crease markers.
Setup: Mark two creases. Player starts with bat in hand.
Instructions: Player runs one, grounds the bat past the crease, turns, looks and pushes off for the second run.
Coaching focus: Bat slide, low turn, quick look and strong push-off.
Beginner version: Walk through the turn before running.
Advanced version: Coach calls “one” or “two” late, forcing the player to react.
Success target: 8 clean turns without missing the crease or slowing too much.
Correction tip: If the player turns blindly, pause after grounding the bat and practise “turn and look”.
This drill links batting control with running. The player learns to score without trying to hit boundaries.
Equipment needed: Bat, balls, cones and target gaps.
Setup: Mark three scoring gaps: behind square, mid-wicket and cover area.
Instructions: Coach feeds controlled balls. Player must push into a gap, call early and complete the run.
Coaching focus: Soft hands, gap awareness, early call and safe running.
Beginner version: Underarm feeds with no fielders.
Advanced version: Add fielders and award points for correct decisions, not only completed runs.
Success target: 12 safe strike-rotation decisions from 18 feeds.
Correction tip: If the player hits too hard, ask for soft-contact singles only.
Parent tips
Parents should praise communication and effort, not only the number of runs. A young player who calls early, backs up properly and runs the first run hard is developing important cricket intelligence.
Parents can also help by watching for simple habits. Did the player back up? Did they turn safely? Did they watch the fielder before deciding on a second run? These small details matter.
Coach tips
Coaches should include running in normal batting sessions, not treat it as a separate fitness punishment. Every batting drill can include a call, a first run or a turn.
Coaches should also reward good decisions. A player who says no early should not be criticised if the run was genuinely risky. The goal is clear communication, not reckless running.
Player checklist
Mini challenge
Complete this challenge during the next batting or fielding session. The goal is communication and decision-making under movement.
Challenge: 20 loud call reps 10 safe backing-up reps 10 turn-and-ground reps 18 strike-rotation gap decisionsThe player should write one short note: “What type of ball or field position gives me the safest single?”
Progress marker
A player is improving running between wickets when they call earlier, hesitate less, back up consistently and complete the first run with more purpose.
Another progress sign is better match awareness. The player begins to notice fielders, gaps, weak arms and pressure moments. They start scoring without waiting for boundary balls.
Cricstars connection
Cricstars can help players track running goals and match awareness. Players can save notes such as “called louder today”, “missed two singles” or “ran first run harder”. These small reflections build smarter cricketers.
For this lesson, the player can add “strike rotation” as a batting focus and track how many safe singles they attempted in the next match.
FAQs
Why is running between wickets important in junior cricket?
Running between wickets helps young batters rotate strike, turn dot balls into singles, build partnerships and reduce pressure without relying only on boundaries.
What should Under-14 players learn first for running between wickets?
Under-14 players should first learn clear calling, backing up, running the first run hard, turning correctly and grounding the bat safely.
How can young players improve strike rotation?
Young players can improve strike rotation by looking for safe singles, playing with soft hands, calling early and understanding where fielders are placed.
Should players run every time they hit the ball?
No. Good running is not reckless running. Players should call early, judge the field and run only when the run is safe enough.
How can Cricstars help running between wickets?
Cricstars helps players save running goals, match notes and strike-rotation reflections so they can track improvement beyond runs and wickets.
Help the player become a smarter match batter.
Save running goals, match notes, strike-rotation targets and coach feedback on Cricstars so the player can track the small habits that win close games.