Do I have to hit it? SSG for the forward defensive…and more

Latest addition to my collection of constrained SSGs — didn’t have a name for it at the time, but the theme is “block or whack”.

I have a large group of U11s (large for the available indoor space), with a range of abilities and attention spans (this is an after-school activity, and I know how hard it can be to focus on “drills” after a day in class).

I was keen to find a game that could test a valid batting technique whilst also challenging decision making. Oh, and I needed something to engage their attention.

So a session centred on the front-foot defensive might seem an odd choice.

Game format

Standard carousel/pavilion cricket, batting solo (so the batter needs to run out-and-back to score runs — only 10 yards, maybe less).

Strict scoring and running rules (hit & run, returning to the pavilion; miss the ball and you go straight to the pavilion); boundary 4s & 6s allowed — a 30 yard straight hit.

Bonus runs (and longer at the wicket) for 3 consecutive blocks (or leaves) — 5 runs. Plus all the runs you can score from defensive strokes.

This does require accurate bowling from the coach (and a consistent judgement of a genuine “leave”).

As we started the session with “soft hands” and one-hand, one bounce, we kept this rule in place, but with a careful eye on fielders getting too close — a big hit was allowed, even though it was likely to be less profitable than 3-blocks (5 runs).

Intended outcomes

The intention was to challenge:

• defensive (“soft hands”) play, including deflections & placement (nudged singles definitely encouraged);
• judgement of line (played with 4 stumps; with hindsight, 5 stumps might have been better, to encourage more stroke play);
• decision making & (appropriate) risk-taking — if a delivery really is easy to score from, do you back yourself to take the runs on offer?

Observations

I do need to sell the game better, if I try it again. One player claimed to only watch T20, and never to have seen a defensive stroke on TV!

But the session seemed to go down well. Lots of engagement with the game, which is what I hoped for.

A victory for the team who took on board my (far from subtle) hints on “how to win” — scoring at 120 (5 runs from 3 (blocked) deliveries) trumps having a whack unless you can consistently hit boundaries.

Smiles (mostly), and my fellow coaches, either advising on tactics or playing as ‘keeper or gun fielder in the deep, felt involved. The latter is something I do sometimes fail on in SSG formats — I like to let the players play the game, then review, rather than having multiple coach interventions.