Cricstars Under-10 Cricket Starter Plan · Lesson 2 of 8
Lesson 1 gave children early confidence with hitting and catching. Lesson 2 turns that confidence into bowling, but without rushing into adult-style technical coaching.
Children learn that bowling starts with rhythm, direction, a straight arm and a simple target. Speed comes later.
Where this lesson fits
Keep the first bowling target large and close. A comfortable action and a clear direction matter more than speed.
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.
- 0-6 minutes: Stork balance tag
- 6-15 minutes: Windmill bowling without the ball, then with a soft ball
- 15-30 minutes: Bowler Goaler target game
- 30-42 minutes: One-step bowling progression
- 42-55 minutes: Team target challenge
Main activities
Drill 1: Stork Balance Tag
When tagged, children balance on one leg for five seconds. It prepares them for a stable bowling finish.
Drill 2: Windmill Bowling
Children stand side-on and make a big straight-arm circle over the top. The goal is a repeatable action towards a target.
Drill 3: Bowler Goaler
Use stumps, cone gates or buckets. Children score for hitting the target and bonus points for a straight arm.
Coaching cues to use
Show one slow bowling action, then ask children to aim at a large target. If the arm bends, demonstrate again rather than calling every attempt wrong.
- Big straight arm
- Step towards the target
- Finish tall
- Aim before speed
- Repeat the same action
Make it easier or harder
Make it easier: Move the target closer, use a larger bucket or bowl from standing.
Make it harder: Use smaller stumps, increase the distance slightly or add team scoring.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Starting with a long run-up
- Shouting too many corrections
- Rewarding only wickets
- Unsafe bowling lanes
What progress looks like
A child who steps towards the target and repeats a comfortable action is improving, even when the ball misses the stumps.
- Uses a straighter arm
- Steps towards the target
- Repeats the action more consistently
- Finishes with balance
- Enjoys trying to hit the target
Parent home version
Set up a bucket or plastic stumps. Bowl 12 balls and count straight-arm attempts first, target hits second.
A bucket or plastic stumps is enough. Let the child bowl a few soft balls, then move the target only if they are enjoying the challenge.
Coach reflection after the session
Which target distance worked best? If children rushed or threw instead of bowling, begin the next session with a shorter run-up.
Why target bowling works better than technical lectures
Young children understand targets before they understand biomechanics. If you say "hit the cones" or "try to knock over the stumps," they immediately know what to do. Their body starts organising itself around the task.
This is why Lesson 2 should be target-led. You can still guide the straight arm, step and finish, but the child's attention should stay on the target. That keeps the session playful and reduces overthinking.
How to handle children who throw instead of bowl
Many children will naturally throw with a bent arm at first. Avoid making them feel wrong. Say, "That was a strong throw. Now let's try the cricket bowling arm." Demonstrate the windmill action beside them and do it together.
If the action keeps breaking down, remove the ball for a moment. Let the child practise the big arm circle, then add the ball back in. Sometimes the ball makes children rush. Slowing down helps them feel the movement.
What improvement looks like
Improvement may be small. The child might miss the stumps but step straighter. They might bowl slowly but keep the arm straighter. They might only hit the target twice, but repeat the same action more often. These are real wins.
At this age, a repeatable action is more valuable than one lucky fast ball.
Safety and setup for junior bowling
Bowling practice needs clear lanes. Place cones behind the bowling line and make sure children only bowl when the lane is clear. After every round, collect balls together rather than letting children run across each other while others are still bowling.
Use soft balls and simple targets. Buckets, plastic stumps, cone gates and floor markers all work. The target should be visible and achievable. If the target is too difficult, children start throwing harder instead of bowling better.
A good coach keeps the group organised without making the session feel strict. Children should understand where to stand, when to bowl and when to collect. That structure makes the session safer and more professional.
More help from Cricstars
Explore the coaching drill library
Browse cricket learning pathways
What comes next
Previous: Read the previous lesson
Next: Continue to the next lesson
Full plan: Back to the Under-10 Cricket Training Plan