Cricket - Lesson 3

In the third lesson of a Year 5 cricket series, the aim is to enhance pupils' abilities in deep field catching and to apply these skills within a competitive context. The lesson is structured to help students catch balls at various heights and to use their fielding skills effectively during gameplay. Essential terminology for the lesson includes 'fielding', 'wicket keeper', 'high throw', 'low throw', 'underarm', 'grip & stance', and 'crease'. To facilitate the activities, the necessary equipment comprises tennis balls, bats, cones, and wickets. The warm-up involves a catching exercise where pupils, spaced 10-20 metres apart, throw the ball to each other, aiming for height and experimenting with different throwing styles. A variation of this exercise includes increasing the distance between partners to challenge their catching abilities further.

The main part of the lesson, lasting 30 minutes, focuses on catching for distance with overarm throws aimed at shoulder or head height, adjusting the grip with thumbs together. An engaging 'Run Them Out' activity divides the players into two teams, where one player bats and runs between the wickets while the opposing team attempts to run them out. This drill emphasizes the importance of correct grip and stance, calling runs, and strategic fielding. To conclude, a game of Kwik Cricket is played. The cool-down session reiterates key cricket techniques such as the grip and stance, calling runs, and running techniques. Pupils are encouraged to discuss and reflect on the nuances of their throws, catches, and body positions, rounding off the session with jogging and stretching to promote recovery.