Lesson 4 - Catching Skills Development
Cricket Basics & Strategy
•Year 6
•Cricket
•Start Planning Better PE Lessons
Sign up free to access 3 complete units per month, unlimited activity library, and your personal locker.
What's included
- Complete activity instructions & timing
- Teaching tips & differentiation strategies
- Assessment guidance & success criteria
- Downloadable lessons & units
How can we master different catching techniques to become more effective cricket fielders?
Learning Objectives
- To develop close catching skills with accuracy and consistency under pressure
- To master deep catching techniques for fielding situations
- To understand the role of wicket keeper and demonstrate effective stumping
Key Outcomes
- Students will consistently demonstrate close catching techniques with proper hand positioning
- Students will successfully track and catch high balls using correct deep catching form
- Students will apply catching skills effectively in game situations with tactical awareness
Equipment & Resources Required
Distributed for boundaries, square formations, and running markers
Alternative: Markers, spot markers, or bean bags
One per group for batting activities
Alternative: Rounders bats or tennis rackets
Set up for wicket keeping practice and games
Alternative: Cones stacked or stumps improvised with equipment
Softer than cricket balls for safety, one per pair minimum
Alternative: Soft-touch balls or foam balls for less confident students
For students needing support with batting consistency
Alternative: Traffic cones or improvised stands
Key Vocabulary
Catching technique used when fielding near the batsman, with little fingers together
Catching technique for high balls, using thumbs together and tracking the ball's flight
The fielder positioned behind the stumps who catches the ball and attempts stumpings
Getting a batsman out by removing the bails when they are out of their crease
Following the ball's flight path with your eyes and body position
Skill Progression Pathway
Understanding where pupils are coming from and where they're going
Prior Learning
- Basic ball handling and throwing skills
- Understanding of personal space and safe movement
- Experience with simple catching activities
Current Skills
- Close catching with proper hand positioning
- Deep catching with tracking and footwork
- Wicket keeping basics for stumping
Next Steps
- Advanced fielding positions and tactics
- Diving catches and advanced techniques
- Full cricket match situations with strategic fielding
Milestone Indicators
Key Teaching Points
- Close catching uses little fingers together, deep catching uses thumbs together
- Always move feet to get body behind or under the ball
- Soft hands and cushioning prevent the ball bouncing out
- Track the ball from thrower's hand to your hands throughout its flight
- Consistency in catching is more valuable than spectacular one-off catches
- Wicket keeper role requires quick hands and reliable catching for effective stumping
- Team support and encouragement create positive learning environment for all
Common Misconceptions
- Thinking all catches use the same hand position - emphasise different techniques for different situations
- Believing you should reach for the ball rather than moving feet to get in position
- Assuming hard hands make catches more secure - demonstrate how soft hands are more effective
- Thinking fast throwing makes better practice - show how controlled throws improve technique
- Believing only spectacular catches matter - emphasise value of consistent, reliable catching
SEN Adaptations
ADHD
- Shorter activity bursts, clear physical boundaries, regular movement breaks, engaging challenges
dyspraxia
- Larger equipment, simplified movement patterns, extra practice time, step-by-step demonstrations
autism spectrum
- Clear routines, visual schedule of activities, quiet zones available, consistent structure
visual impairment
- Use brightly coloured balls, verbal cues for ball direction, buddy system for guidance and support
hearing impairment
- Clear visual demonstrations, hand signals for instructions, written instruction cards available
physical disability
- Seated catching variations, use of larger/softer balls, adapted distances and heights
Cross-Curricular Links
English
Following instructions, using cricket vocabulary, explaining techniques to others
Maths
Counting catches, measuring distances, calculating success rates and averages, timing activities
Science
Understanding forces in catching, trajectory of balls, friction between hands and ball
Geography
Understanding directions and positioning on field, mapping fielding positions and tactics
PSHE
Teamwork, resilience when making mistakes, building confidence, supporting others
Teacher Guidance
Positioning
Move between groups during skill practice, position centrally during demonstrations
Observation Focus
Watch for correct hand positioning, footwork, and ball tracking techniques
Intervention Points
Step in if students struggle with technique, safety concerns arise, or negative behaviour develops
Demonstration Notes
Show techniques clearly with exaggerated movements, repeat key points regularly, use students as positive examples
Verbal Cues
- •'Little fingers together for close catches!'
- •'Thumbs together for high balls!'
- •'Soft hands, cushion the ball!'
- •'Move your feet to the ball!'
Safety Considerations
Space & Surface Requirements
Space Requirements
Minimum 30m x 40m outdoor space or large sports hall, clear of obstacles
Surface Check
Level surface free from holes, debris, or standing water that could cause slips
Equipment Safety
Safety Checks
- •Tennis balls checked for wear - no splits that could cause injury
- •Cricket bats inspected for loose handles or cracked blades
- •Wickets stable and properly assembled
- •Cones positioned away from main activity areas to prevent trips
Risk Management
Key Risks
- •Ball strikes to head or body
- •Collisions between students during catching activities
- •Trips over equipment or uneven surfaces
- •Overexertion during running activities
Risk Mitigation
- •Use of tennis balls instead of cricket balls reduces impact injury risk
- •Clear boundaries and spacing between groups prevents collisions
- •Proper warm-up prepares muscles for activity
- •Graduated difficulty from static to dynamic catching
- •Emphasis on controlled throwing and catching
Supervision & Emergency Procedures
Supervision Points
- •Position to observe all groups during skill practice
- •Monitor closely during game application for safe play
- •Watch for fatigue or overexertion, especially during competitive elements
- •Ensure equipment is used correctly and safely
Emergency Procedures
Stop activity immediately, assess injury, provide appropriate first aid, contact school office if required