Batting and Fielding Skills

Overview

Class size: 30 students
Group size: 5 students per group (6 groups in total)
Duration: 40 minutes
Age group: KS2 (ages 8-11)
Curriculum links:

• National Curriculum for Physical Education (2014):
  • Develop competence to excel in a broad range of physical activities
  • Engage in competitive sports and lead healthy, active lives
  • Understand the importance of tactics and team roles in games
• PE aims as per UK guidance:
  • Acquisition of movement skills with increasing control and coordination
  • Understanding and applying basic principles suitable for attacking and defending

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Learning Objective

To develop pupils’ understanding of batting and fielding techniques, including the roles within the game and practical skill transfer from Rounders to Kwik Cricket.

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Success Ladder

1. I understand a fielder’s role in the game.
2. I understand the batter’s role within the game.
3. I can transfer my knowledge and skills of Rounders into a Lord’s Game of Kwik Cricket.

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Resources Needed

• Plastic Kwik Cricket bats (one per group)
• Soft cricket balls or Kwik Cricket balls
• Plastic wickets (one set per group)
• Cones for marking positions and boundaries
• Stopwatches or phones (for beep test)
• Whiteboard and markers for discussion points

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Timing and Activities Breakdown

Time	Activity	Details
0-5 mins	Warm up: Beep Test	Conduct a group beep test in an open area; motivates endurance and focus pre-lesson.
5-10 mins	Discussion: Fielding vs Batting (Rounders recap)	Use whiteboard; elicit from pupils what they know about batting and fielding roles.
10-17 mins	Batting practice introduction	Demonstrate holding and stance with Kwik Cricket bat; compare with Rounders bat; explain shape/size impact.
17-35 mins	Group practice: roles rotate (Bowler, Batter, Fielders)	Small groups of 3+ practice bowling, batting, and fielding using plastic bats and wickets; rotate every 5 minutes.
35-40 mins	Introduction to Wicket and Running	Explain how wickets are used to dismiss batters and score runs; demonstrate running between wickets (‘runs’ counting).

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Detailed Activity Descriptions

Warm Up: Beep Test (0-5 mins)

• Conduct a short, modified beep test in smaller groups to cater for mixed fitness levels.
• Pupils time their runs over short distances (shuttle runs) to warm up cardiovascular system and introduce competition.
• Discuss how physical warm-up assists in performance.

Discussion: Fielding vs Batting in Rounders (5-10 mins)

• Gather students in a circle or semi-circle to discuss prior experiences from Rounders.
• Ask questions:
  • What was your role as a fielder?
  • What skills did you use as a batter?
  • Differences and similarities between batting and fielding positions?
• Write down key points to build on in the cricket session.

Batting Practice: Holding and Stance (10-17 mins)

• Display the Kwik Cricket bat and compare it physically with the Rounders bat (shape, grip, weight).
• Step-by-step demonstration:
  1. Correct grip (dominant hand lower on the bat handle, fingers wrapped lightly)
  2. Standing side-on to the bowler with feet shoulder-width apart
  3. Eye on the ball and readiness to swing
• Allow pupils to hold the bat and practice stance; partner feedback encouraged.

Group Practice: Roles and Rotation (17-35 mins)

• Organise groups of 5 students: 1 bowler, 1 batter, and 3 fielders initially.
• Practice sequence:
  1. Bowler bowls a soft ball underarm towards the batter.
  2. Batter attempts to hit and run between wickets.
  3. Fielders try to retrieve the ball and ‘run out’ the batter.
• After 5 minutes, rotate roles clockwise ensuring all pupils experience each position.
• Emphasise communication and strategic thinking in fielding positions.

Introduction to Wicket and Running (35-40 mins)

• Show physical wickets and explain how they are guarded by the batter.
• Explain the concept of runs — running to the opposite wicket after hitting the ball.
• Demonstrate how fielders try to hit the wickets to get batters ‘out’.
• Brief mention of scoring and basic game rules linked to the Lord’s Game format (see appendix).

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Assessment and Reflection

• Use formative assessment by circulating and giving specific feedback on batting grip, stance, and fielding positioning.
• End lesson with pupils self-assessing against the success ladder on mini whiteboards or verbally:
  “Which role did you feel confident in today? What skill do you want to improve next?”

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Differentiation and Inclusion

• Provide lighter balls and smaller bats for pupils struggling with coordination.
• Offer physical support or pairing with stronger students as needed.
• Create smaller spatial areas for pupils needing a less crowded environment.
• Encourage positive, inclusive language to build confidence.

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Extension and Home Learning Ideas

• Invite pupils to watch brief Kwik Cricket clips or highlight reels (organised by teacher offline).
• Challenge pupils to practice grip and stance at home or in playground with family.
• Suggest recording a ‘batting stance’ selfie video for peer review in next lesson.

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Appendix: The Lord’s Game Brief Outline for Pupils

• The Lord’s Game is a friendly match format adapting Kwik Cricket rules.
• Teams alternate batting and fielding.
• Runs are scored by running between wickets after a hit.
• Fielders try to get batters out by hitting wickets or catch outs.
• The game encourages teamwork, fair play and strategy application.

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This lesson plan combines physical skill development, tactical learning, and role awareness in a fun and inclusive way, directly building on prior Rounders knowledge and aligned to the UK PE curriculum. The use of small group practice and continuous role rotation ensures maximum engagement and participation for all 30 pupils within the 40-minute session.