Session planner ↗ Safety guide
SKILL GUIDE / 04 PRACTICAL ACTIVITIES

Cricket fielding drills

Clean hands. Better decisions.

Practise collecting a slow rolling ball before adding movement and a return throw. Build accuracy at a short distance and keep every throwing lane separate.

How to use these fielding drills

A fielding repetition has several parts: read the ball, approach under control, gather cleanly, choose the right return and recover. Work on one part at a time. Fast throws do not compensate for a rushed pickup or a receiver who is not ready.

A simple progression

  1. Roll-and-gather — Collect a slow rolling ball cleanly while staying balanced.
  2. Underarm target — Return a collected ball accurately with an underarm throw.
  3. Move-and-catch — Take small adjustment steps and catch a gentle chest-height feed.
  4. Relay return — Use a relay player to return the ball accurately over a longer distance.

Choose the right challenge

Move the starting point closer if the player is reaching or rushing the gather. When they can approach and collect smoothly, vary the direction of the roll. Introduce a throw only when the next player is ready and watching.

Make feedback useful

Look for a balanced approach, eyes on the ball and a secure gather before the return. Ask the fielder which part was hardest. One practical suggestion is more useful than commenting on every movement.

PICK AN ACTIVITY

Fielding drills

COMMON QUESTIONS

Before the next session

Which fielding activity should I start with?

Begin with a slow ball that players can see and collect in their own lane. Then ask them to get behind the ball before adding a return throw. If a fielder is reaching across their body, change the angle or slow the feed so they can practise getting their feet into position.

How long should I keep the group on one activity?

The card times are starting points, including explanation and rest. Shorten a station if attention or control declines. Bowling workload rules and individual needs take priority over the timer.

How do I know when to make it harder?

Watch whether players get behind a rolling ball before gathering and face their target before a return. If either action becomes rushed, slow the feed and separate the pickup from the throw. Increase the challenge only when players can repeat both parts under control.

EXPLORE NEXT

Build a rounded practice.

Batting drills ↗Bowling drills ↗Wicketkeeping drills ↗Running between wickets drills ↗Warm-up games ↗

Original Cricstars practice activities • Published 17 October 2026

Adapt every activity to the player, space and conditions. Age guides are starting points, not ability tests. Read the safety guide · How to use this library