Gates Battle | Riri Waharoa

Training focus

Batting

Bowling

Fielding

Environment

Cricket Nets

Cricket Pitch

Outdoor Space

Batters attempt to hit balls through specific gates, while fielders attempt to defend those same gates. Fast-paced, with a focus on batting, bowling and fielding.

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Setup, Equipment & Instructions

Each Player has a turn as a batter, a bowler and a fielder. One player bats at any given time.
Set up a series of cones as gates. The goal for batters is to hit to certain areas of the field, through or over the gates. The goal for fielders is to stop the ball passing through the gates.
Fielders are not allowed to guard the gates.
Runs are scored for hitting through or over the gates, with different run values for different gates. The bowler can decide the run value for each gate.
Runs are lost if fielders catch the ball.
Each batter faces 12 balls, then rotates with another Player.

Other details

Why train this way?

Training through playing games is the modern approach to skill acquisition and developing technique.
The ‘whole cricketer’ evolves through play, in response to the game design and environment (constraints-based coaching). This approach encourages play and exploration.

This training game also develops:

Movement
Game Awareness
Perception

As a Coach, what are you seeing?

Concentrate your initial focus on the positives and achievements in relation to the training focus for this game.

Incorporate the positive and the need for improvement, develop questions that will help players discover their own solutions.

Ask the Players....

What were the things that were working well for you?
What do you think you need to try and work on?
For fielders: What clues does the batter give you as to where they are going to hit the ball?

Mix it Up

Bring this game to life with practical progression and regression...

- Make the gates wider.
- Introduce more gates.
+ Batters can run between the wickets to score extra runs.
+ Make the gates smaller or place them in areas that challenge the batters.

Boss Battle

For each battle have a similar size (physically) bowler bowling to a similar size batter.
Refer to 'Maturation Guidelines'

Maturation Guidelines

Other details

Leadership Reflections

Empathy – Ngākau aroha

Think about the game: How do you think your teammates were feeling when there was success or when there were difficulties? Is that how you would have felt?

Communication – Whakawhiti Kōrero

How did you react verbally to your teammates’ actions? Were you supportive or negative?
Did your body language give the same message as your words?

Trust – Ngākau pono

Our optimum team culture is one where we trust and support each other.
Did you make a positive contribution towards this today?
Rate yourself 1 to 10.
What is the best way as a team to show trust and support in any situation?

Prompt the Players

Ask them to concentrate on:

During the game, think about situations that occur and how your teammates are feeling.
Positive communication – what we say and how we look when we say it.
Being supportive and trusting each other to achieve.