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.
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 2 focuses on straight-arm bowling and target confidence. 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.
- 06 minutes: Stork balance tag
- 615 minutes: Windmill bowling without the ball, then with a soft ball
- 1530 minutes: Bowler Goaler target game
- 3042 minutes: One-step bowling progression
- 4255 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
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.
- 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.
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
- Starting with a long run-up
- Shouting too many corrections
- Rewarding only wickets
- Unsafe bowling lanes
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.
- 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.
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.
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 childs 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 lets 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.
What comes next
Previous: Read the previous lesson
Next: Continue to the next lesson
Full plan: Back to the Under-10 Cricket Training Plan