This is Lesson 6 of the Cricstars Under-10 Cricket Starter Plan. The children have now hit, caught, bowled, fielded, gathered and started looking for space. This lesson brings more energy: speed, accuracy and communication.
Cricket is full of small races. Batters race between wickets. Fielders race to the ball. The ball races back to the keeper. But speed alone is not enough. Children must also stay accurate and communicate.
What children bring from Lesson 5
Lesson 5 taught children to hit into space and run. Lesson 6 builds on that by asking them to run, pass, throw and make decisions as a team.
Session goal
By the end of this lesson, children should understand that quick movement and accurate actions are both important. They should also begin using simple communication like go, stop, mine and throw.
Recommended setup
- Duration: 45 to 60 minutes
- Equipment: cones, soft balls, bats, tees or markers
- Space: open area for running and passing games
- Best format: teams of 3 to 6
Warm-up: Traffic lights
Call out colours and actions:
- Green: run
- Yellow: jog
- Red: stop
- Blue: turn
- White: touch the ground
This improves reaction, body control and listening.
Activity 1: Runners v passers
One team runs around cones while the other team passes the ball around a circle. The runners keep scoring until the passing team completes a set number of clean passes.
This game is simple, loud and fun. It teaches children that both running and clean ball movement matter.
Coaching focus
- Run with awareness.
- Pass to hands, not at faces.
- Communicate before the ball arrives.
Activity 2: Diamond cricket
Set up four batting stations in a diamond shape. Children hit from a tee or soft feed and run to the next station. Fielders return the ball quickly.
Diamond cricket is excellent because every child is involved. It also starts to feel like a real game without becoming too complicated.
Activity 3: Accuracy under time
Set a 60-second challenge. Children field a ball and throw at a target as many times as possible. Only accurate throws count.
This teaches children not to lose control when time pressure is added.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Letting speed become chaos: slow the game down if safety drops.
- Ignoring communication: reward calling and teamwork.
- Counting only the fastest team: count accurate passes and throws too.
- Using hard balls: keep it soft and safe.
Progress markers
- The child runs with better control.
- The child throws more accurately under pressure.
- The child starts calling to teammates.
- The child understands when to go and when to stop.
- The child stays active in a team game.
Home practice
Create two markers and practise quick runs. Then add a throw at the end. For example: run to the cone, pick up the ball, throw at a bucket. Keep it short and safe.
How this prepares for Lesson 7
Lesson 6 adds speed and teamwork. Lesson 7 uses those qualities in attacking and defending games where children protect targets and make simple tactical choices.
Previous lesson: Lesson 5: Hitting Into Space
Next lesson: Lesson 7: Defending Targets
Back to the full Under-10 Cricket Training Plan
Minute-by-minute session plan
- 06 minutes: Traffic Lights warm-up.
- 620 minutes: Runners v Passers.
- 2035 minutes: Diamond Cricket.
- 3548 minutes: accuracy under time challenge.
- 4856 minutes: team communication game.
- 5660 minutes: recap: fast is good, accurate is better.
Why speed must be controlled
Children love racing. That is useful because cricket needs speed. But uncontrolled speed causes mistakes: wild throws, missed catches, running into each other and poor decisions. This lesson teaches children to move quickly while still staying aware.
Communication is a cricket skill
Under-10 players often stay quiet. They chase the same ball, hesitate between runs or throw without warning. Simple words can change that. Teach mine, yours, go, stop, and throw. These are small words, but they make a team safer and smarter.
How to make Runners v Passers better
Do not only reward the runners. Reward the passing team for clean hands, clear calling and accurate throws. If a pass is dropped because it was thrown too hard, remind children that a good pass is one the teammate can catch.
Diamond Cricket coaching focus
Diamond Cricket can become chaotic if too many children run at once. Start slowly. Use soft balls. Make each station clear. Once children understand the pattern, increase speed. The goal is active learning, not confusion.
Make it easier or harder
For beginners, reduce the running distance and use underarm passing. For confident groups, increase the distance, add a time challenge or require a call before every pass.
Coach checklist
- Are children communicating before passing?
- Are they running safely?
- Are throws accurate enough to catch?
- Are children staying involved when they do not have the ball?
- Are they improving under gentle pressure?
Parent take-home version
Create a simple run-and-throw challenge. The child runs to a cone, picks up a ball and throws at a bucket. Time them only if it stays fun. Accuracy should count more than speed.
Why this lesson feels more like real cricket
By Lesson 6, children have enough basic skills to combine them. They can run, hit, catch, throw and aim. Speed and accuracy games make cricket feel alive. The children begin to experience the rhythm of the game: move, call, throw, catch, run, reset.
This is also where teamwork becomes more obvious. A good pass helps a teammate. A clear call prevents confusion. A controlled throw saves time. Children start seeing that their actions affect the whole group.
How to keep competition healthy
Children enjoy races, but competition should not embarrass slower or less confident players. Use team scoring that rewards different actions. For example, a team can score for clean passes, good calls, accurate throws and safe running. That way, more children can contribute.
Rotate teams often. Avoid letting one strong group dominate for the whole session. The goal is energy, not pressure.
Communication games
Try a silent round first where children are not allowed to speak. They will usually become confused. Then allow calling and repeat the same game. Ask them which round felt easier. This helps children understand why communication matters.
You can also give bonus points for clear calls. For example: mine, go, wait, throw, or calling a teammates name before passing.
What accuracy means for young children
Accuracy does not mean perfection. It means the ball is catchable, safe and near the target. A hard throw that a teammate cannot catch is not useful. A softer throw to the hands is better cricket.
Coach observation note
Watch who stays calm when the game speeds up. Some children are accurate in slow drills but panic in games. Others become more engaged when there is a race. This tells you how to support them in future sessions.