Lesson 3 - Bowling Skills & Tactics
Techniques to Tactics
•Year 6
•Cricket
•Start Planning Better PE Lessons
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How can bowlers and fielders work together strategically to outwit batters and control the game?
Learning Objectives
- To consolidate and apply a range of bowling skills and tactics in game situations
- To develop strategic thinking through bowling order selection and fielding placement
- To demonstrate accurate and consistent bowling under pressure
Key Outcomes
- Students will bowl accurately and consistently using different techniques
- Students will vary their bowling style based on game situations and batter strengths
- Students will work collaboratively with fielders to create tactical advantages
Equipment & Resources Required
Distribute between bowling ends, extras for practice
Alternative: Bean bags for beginners, foam balls for safety
Position 22 yards apart on each playing area
Alternative: Cones with pool noodles, skittles, markers
Available for differentiation, not permanent setup
Alternative: Cones with tennis balls balanced on top
Mark field boundaries and fielding restriction zones
Alternative: Bibs, markers, rope
One per team for scoring practice
Alternative: Whiteboards, paper sheets, mobile apps
Key Vocabulary
A set of six consecutive balls bowled by one bowler from one end
The direction (line) and distance (length) the ball travels to the batter
The fielder who stands behind the stumps to collect the ball
Rules that limit where fielders can be positioned during bowling
Different types of deliveries including fast, slow, and spin bowling
Using different bowling styles and fielding positions to outsmart batters
Skill Progression Pathway
Understanding where pupils are coming from and where they're going
Prior Learning
- Basic overarm bowling action
- Understanding of wickets and stumps
- Basic fielding positions
- Simple cricket rules and scoring
Current Skills
- Consolidating bowling accuracy and consistency
- Developing tactical bowling variations
- Strategic fielding placement
- Team communication and leadership
Next Steps
- Advanced bowling techniques including yorkers
- Complex fielding strategies for different game phases
- Match captaincy and tactical decision-making
- Tournament-style competitive play
Milestone Indicators
Key Teaching Points
- Bowling accuracy and consistency are more important than pace - develop reliable technique first
- Tactical thinking involves matching bowling variations to game situations and batter weaknesses
- Communication between bowler and fielders is essential for successful tactical implementation
- Learning from observation and adapting tactics during games shows advanced cricket understanding
- Pressure situations reveal character - maintain technique and support teammates regardless of score
- Every bowler has unique strengths - help students identify and develop their tactical advantages
- Fair play and sportsmanship are as important as tactical success in developing cricket players
Common Misconceptions
- Faster bowling is always better - emphasise accuracy and tactical variation over raw pace
- Bowling tactics work instantly - explain that tactical success requires patience and practice
- Only the best bowler should bowl important overs - highlight how different bowlers suit different situations
- Fielding positions are fixed - demonstrate how fielding should adapt to bowling type and game situation
- Unsuccessful tactics are failures - frame them as learning opportunities and stepping stones to improvement
- Individual bowling success is more important than team tactics - emphasise collaborative strategic thinking
SEN Adaptations
ADHD
- Shorter activity phases with regular changes, clear tactical focus points, movement-based learning opportunities
dyspraxia
- Simplified bowling action initially, larger targets and equipment, extra practice time for technique development
autism spectrum
- Clear visual routine cards for game phases, quiet reflection space available, predictable team roles and responsibilities
visual impairment
- Use brightly coloured balls and larger targets, provide verbal descriptions of fielding positions, buddy system for spatial awareness
hearing impairment
- Use visual signals for tactical communication, written tactical plans, demonstration-heavy instruction methods
physical disability
- Seated bowling variations, modified distances, larger and softer equipment, adapted fielding positions
Cross-Curricular Links
Maths
Calculating bowling averages and strike rates, measuring distances for fielding positions, angles for bowling line and length, probability in tactical decision-making
Science
Forces and motion in different bowling techniques, projectile motion and ball trajectory, friction and spin effects, physics of ball bounce and pace
Geography
Understanding spatial awareness and field positioning, mapping fielding strategies, directional language and tactical placement
PSHE
Leadership skills in tactical planning, teamwork and communication, resilience when tactics don't work, respect for opponents and umpires
Teacher Guidance
Positioning
Central location with visibility of all practice stations, moving between groups during game application
Observation Focus
Bowling technique consistency, tactical application, team communication, safety compliance
Intervention Points
Step in when safety compromised, technique deteriorating significantly, or tactical understanding unclear
Demonstration Notes
Use clear, exaggerated movements for bowling variations, involve students in fielding position demonstrations, maintain enthusiasm for tactical thinking
Verbal Cues
- •'High arm action over the fence!'
- •'Communicate your plan to your fielders!'
- •'Trust your technique under pressure!'
- •'What would a tactical bowler do here?'
Safety Considerations
Space & Surface Requirements
Space Requirements
Minimum 40m x 30m area, multiple cricket pitches if possible, clear boundaries marked
Surface Check
Level, dry surface free from holes or obstacles, suitable for running and bowling
Equipment Safety
Safety Checks
- •Check cricket balls for damage - no cracks or hard spots
- •Ensure stumps are stable and have no sharp edges
- •Verify bats are appropriate size and weight for students
- •Confirm boundary markers are visible and secure
Risk Management
Key Risks
- •Ball strikes to head or body during bowling practice
- •Collisions between fielders and batters
- •Slips and falls during quick fielding movements
- •Equipment-related injuries from damaged items
Risk Mitigation
- •Use appropriate soft balls for skill level and conditions
- •Establish clear protocols for ball collection and return
- •Ensure adequate spacing between practice groups
- •Teach and enforce safe catching and fielding techniques
Supervision & Emergency Procedures
Supervision Points
- •Position to observe all bowling practice areas simultaneously
- •Monitor game areas for safe umpiring and fielding
- •Watch for fatigue affecting technique and safety
- •Ensure equipment handling remains safe throughout lesson
Emergency Procedures
Stop all activity immediately, assess injury, apply appropriate first aid, contact emergency services if required