Cricstars Under-10 Cricket Starter Plan Lesson 1 of 8
This is the first step in the Cricstars Under-10 Cricket Starter Plan. The aim is not to build a technically perfect cricketer in one session. The aim is to help a child feel safe, excited and brave enough to try cricket again.
Children learn to watch the ball, swing with balance, make contact, catch softly and enjoy the feeling of being involved.
This guide is written for parents, teachers, junior club volunteers and beginner coaches. You do not need expensive equipment or a perfect cricket ground. You need a safe space, soft balls, simple rules and a session that keeps children active.
Where this lesson fits
Lesson 1 focuses on confidence with the bat and ball. The full eight-lesson pathway moves children from first contact with the bat and ball into bowling, fielding, smart batting, teamwork and finally a friendly mini match.
The important thing is continuity. Children should recognise ideas from earlier sessions and then use them in a slightly more advanced way. That is how a young player starts building confidence without feeling overloaded.
Session snapshot
- Best age group: Children under 10, especially beginners aged 5 to 9.
- Session length: 45 to 60 minutes.
- Best equipment: Soft balls, cones, junior bats, tees, buckets, stumps or simple targets.
- Coaching style: Short cues, lots of turns, praise effort and keep the session moving.
Minute-by-minute session plan
Use this as a guide, not a strict script. If children are learning well and enjoying one activity, stay with it a little longer. If energy drops, move quickly to the next game.
- 05 minutes: Welcome, safe area and animal movement warm-up
- 512 minutes: Bat tapping challenge
- 1225 minutes: Tee hit and run
- 2537 minutes: Soft catching circle
- 3745 minutes: Mini hit, run and catch challenge
Main activities
Drill 1: Animal Movement Race
Children move between cones using jumps, side steps, fast feet and bear crawls. It builds coordination before technique starts.
Drill 2: Bat Tapping
Children tap a soft ball with the bat. Beginners can allow one bounce. Confident children can count consecutive taps.
Drill 3: Tee Hit and Run
Place the ball on a cone. The child watches the ball, hits it and runs to a safe zone. Score effort, contact and running.
Coaching cues to use
Children under 10 remember short phrases better than long explanations. Pick one cue at a time. Repeat it during play and avoid giving five corrections after every attempt.
- Watch the ball until it reaches the bat
- Soft hands when catching
- Small swing first
- Run after contact
- Try again with a smile
Make it easier or harder
Make it easier: Use a bigger soft ball, allow one bounce and let the child hit from a tee.
Make it harder: Ask the child to hit into a zone, count clean contacts or complete a hit-and-run challenge.
The best junior coaches adjust the task without making the child feel embarrassed. A beginner and a confident child can do the same activity with different targets, distances or scoring rules.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Correcting grip too early
- Using hard balls too soon
- Making children wait in long lines
- Only praising big hits
Most mistakes at this age come from rushing. Children rush the swing, rush the throw, rush the run or rush the decision. Slow the learning down, then let the game speed it up naturally.
What progress looks like
Progress should not be measured only by runs, wickets or who looks the most talented. In this age group, progress often appears as confidence, better movement, safer technique and a child wanting another turn.
- Watches the ball more often
- Swings with better balance
- Catches with less fear
- Runs naturally after hitting
- Asks for another turn
Parent home version
Use a cone as a tee. Let the child hit five balls, run to a marker after each hit, then catch five gentle throws.
Home practice should be short. Ten focused minutes is enough. Stop before the child becomes bored or frustrated. The goal is to make cricket feel like something they want to return to, not another homework task.
Coach reflection after the session
After the session, ask yourself three questions. Did every child get enough turns? Did the session feel safe and positive? Did the children leave with more confidence than they arrived with? If the answer is yes, the lesson worked.
For Cricstars, the bigger aim is to help children build a cricket journey from the first backyard hit to clubs, coaches, teams and tournaments. A strong junior pathway starts with small wins like these.
How this should feel for the child
The first cricket session should feel light, safe and exciting. A child should not walk away thinking cricket is full of rules they do not understand. They should walk away remembering that they hit the ball, caught something, ran around and had fun with a parent, teacher or coach.
That feeling matters. At under-10 level, confidence is often more important than technique. A confident child is willing to try again. A nervous child may stop listening, avoid the ball or decide cricket is not for them. This is why soft balls, short turns and positive language are so important in Lesson 1.
How to manage mixed ability
In almost every beginner group, some children will swing naturally while others will miss the ball repeatedly. Do not let the stronger children become the only focus. Give confident children harder targets and give beginners easier ways to succeed.
For example, one child can hit from a tee into a wide space while another tries to hit a moving feed into a smaller zone. Both children are doing the same lesson, but the challenge fits their level.
What a coach should watch closely
Watch the childs eyes, balance and reaction after mistakes. If they keep looking at the ball and want another attempt, they are progressing. If they look scared, frustrated or embarrassed, reduce the difficulty immediately.
The best sign in Lesson 1 is not a perfect cricket shot. The best sign is a child smiling after contact and running back for another turn.
Simple scoring idea for this lesson
Use a scoring system that rewards effort and confidence. Give one point for watching the ball, one point for making contact, one point for running after the hit and one point for trying again after a miss. This keeps the session positive for children who are still learning to hit cleanly.
When children see that effort earns points, they stop worrying about being perfect. That is exactly what Lesson 1 should achieve.
What comes next
Previous: This is the first lesson in the series.
Next: Continue to the next lesson
Full plan: Back to the Under-10 Cricket Training Plan