Last man standing – another game for the coaches’ kit bag

One of the games we play with the Colts at our Club is ‘Last Man Standing’ (not to be confused with Last Man Stands). It’s a lot of fun, with batters and fielders fully engaged, and in spite of the very simplistic rules there are a number of learning opportunities embedded in the format. Batters …

“Knock ‘em down” & “Lock ‘em up” — first attempts at ‘video game’ style activities

I have been trying out the ‘video game based design’ approach to cricket practices over the last month — aiming to create games that are easy to learn but hard to master, and where learning achievement (acquisition of skills)  is rewarded by the opening up of new and more challenging ‘levels’ in the game. I have …

Lock ‘em up — ‘video game design’ pt 2

In ‘lock ‘em up’, the batting team earn ‘upgrades’ (more open spaces to hit the ball into) by ‘locking’ fielders into disadvantageous fielding positions by successfully hitting the ball into designated target areas. It is, in many respects, a gamified version of the old ‘Lord’s game’.  I have played it only with a front foot …