Lesson 4 - Striking to Leg Technique
Cricket Skill Progression
•Year 2
•Striking & Fielding
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How can we strike the ball where we want it to go and stop balls from getting past us?
Learning Objectives
- To develop striking technique with a high backlift to hit balls to the leg side
- To learn and apply long barrier technique to stop fast-moving balls
- To work cooperatively with partners in backing up and communication
Key Outcomes
- Students will demonstrate improved striking technique with high backlift
- Students will use long barrier technique to stop balls effectively
- Students will communicate clearly when fielding and back up teammates
Equipment & Resources Required
Check for damage, ensure appropriate size for Year 2 students
Alternative: Tennis rackets, rounders bats
Use softer balls for indoor sessions
Alternative: Foam balls, bean bags for less confident students
Various colours for dishes and domes activity
Alternative: Bean bags, markers
For students who struggle with moving balls
Alternative: Traffic cones, upturned buckets
Key Vocabulary
Lifting the bat high behind you before striking the ball
A fielding technique where you kneel with one leg to create a barrier with your body
The side of the cricket field behind the batsman's legs
Supporting a teammate by being ready to collect the ball if they miss
Alert fielding stance with knees bent, weight forward, hands ready
Skill Progression Pathway
Understanding where pupils are coming from and where they're going
Prior Learning
- Basic ball handling and catching skills
- Simple striking using a bat or paddle
- Understanding of personal space and boundaries
Current Skills
- Striking with high backlift technique
- Long barrier fielding technique
- Communication and backing up in fielding
Next Steps
- Striking to different areas of the field
- Advanced fielding positions and tactics
- Game strategies and tactical awareness
Milestone Indicators
Key Teaching Points
- High backlift is essential for powerful and controlled striking
- Long barrier technique provides maximum stopping area with body backup
- Communication and backing up are crucial for effective fielding
- Step across with back leg frees arms for leg side striking
- Ready position enables quick reaction to ball movement
- Safety in defined spaces requires awareness of others and controlled movement
- Honest self-assessment helps identify areas for improvement
Common Misconceptions
- Believing you only need hands to stop fast balls - teach body as backup
- Thinking striking is just about hitting hard - emphasise placement and technique
- Assuming you can't improve coordination skills - reinforce practice makes progress
- Believing one technique works for all situations - teach adaptability
- Thinking individual skills are separate from team play - emphasise integration
SEN Adaptations
ADHD
- Shorter activity segments, clear boundaries and rules, regular movement breaks, positive reinforcement system
dyspraxia
- Larger equipment for easier handling, reduced complexity in movements, extra practice time, verbal rehearsal of actions
autism spectrum
- Clear routine structure, visual schedules available, quiet zones for breaks if needed, consistent language and instructions
visual impairment
- Use bright coloured balls and equipment, provide clear verbal descriptions of all techniques, assign sighted buddy for support
hearing impairment
- Use visual demonstrations and hand signals, provide written instruction cards, ensure clear sight lines for lip reading
physical disability
- Adapted striking from seated position, modified equipment sizes, shorter distances, alternative scoring methods
Cross-Curricular Links
Maths
Measuring distances for fielding positions, counting successful strikes, calculating scores in competitive activities
Science
Understanding forces in striking and throwing, friction between ball and ground, trajectory and bounce physics
Geography
Spatial awareness and positioning, understanding directions and field placement, mapping movement patterns
PSHE
Teamwork and cooperation, dealing with success and failure, communication skills, leadership development
Teacher Guidance
Positioning
Move between groups during activities, position centrally for demonstrations, ensure clear sight lines to all students
Observation Focus
Watch for correct technique development, safety awareness, positive peer interaction, and skill progression
Intervention Points
Step in if safety rules not followed, provide individual technique support, mediate any conflicts
Demonstration Notes
Use exaggerated movements for technique demonstration, show common mistakes and corrections, involve students in demonstrations
Verbal Cues
- •'High backlift, reach for the sky!'
- •'Get in line with the ball!'
- •'Call your name loud and clear!'
- •'Soft hands when catching!'
Safety Considerations
Space & Surface Requirements
Space Requirements
Minimum 30m x 20m outdoor space or large sports hall, clear of obstacles
Surface Check
Dry, even surface free from stones, holes, or other hazards that could cause trips
Equipment Safety
Safety Checks
- •Check all bats for cracks or splinters before use
- •Ensure balls are appropriate softness for indoor/outdoor use
- •Verify cones have no sharp edges or cracks
Risk Management
Key Risks
- •Ball strikes to head or body during striking practice
- •Collisions during dishes and domes warm-up
- •Trips and falls during barrier movements
- •Bat strikes during striking practice
Risk Mitigation
- •Clear safety zones around all striking areas
- •Controlled movement in warm-up activities
- •Proper spacing between practice groups
- •Emphasis on calling for balls during fielding
Supervision & Emergency Procedures
Supervision Points
- •Position for maximum visibility of all striking groups
- •Monitor spacing during partner work
- •Watch for students moving into striking zones
Emergency Procedures
Stop all activity immediately, assess injury, provide appropriate first aid, contact emergency services if required