Under 10's cricket occupies a pretty unique place in club cricket - it's a major entry point for inexperienced players, players who have played Kanga and Have-a-go cricket, and a few returning players. This nexus of pathways provides a fairly broad spectrum of skills and abilities within most teams, and at the start of the season this will be most pronounced. Under 10's cricket is also played with a fairly high degree of modifications to the format and rules of the game.
It is this combination of factors that results in conditions which can make the experience at times frustrating for many players.
As much as Millsy has played under 10's cricket, his mother and I have been right there with him all along the way. During that time we have observed many matches, and match after match, year after year we kept seeing the same things (although sometimes we seemed to have been watching different games). This is my top half-dozen things that to me mark the difference between teams that win consistently and those that can struggle, and more importantly, the teams that provide the best cricketing experience for their players.
When throwing at the stumps always throw underarm
This will save overthrows, a whole lot of overthrows.
When fielding always support your team-mates by backing up - in pairs
This will reduce overthrows and runs scored from misfielding.
When bowling it's better to flow than to throw
What I mean by this is that accuracy (we'll settle for legal deliveries, though) is better than blistering pace. That is only going to be achieved by maintaining control, and that control will be lost if the bowler is over-exerting.
When batting always look for runs, and look like you are looking for runs
You will score more runs, and you will frustrate the opposition as they overthrow and this often leads to even more overthrows.
When batting never reach or stretch to hit the ball
Even if you are not caught or stumped, you are unlikely to make any runs and there's every chance that you will be run out. Take my advice and take the run for the wide - it's usually the best outcome.
When batting never hit at a really poor delivery
As often as not you will be bowled or caught. That delivery that dribbles down the pitch will get right under your bat and bowl you; and that one that doesn't make it down the pitch or rolls off the pitch - hit it and as likely as not you will be caught.
A Bonus Pearl, well not so much a pearl as just a little bit of advice.
When bowling keep your front foot well back from the popping crease
A lot of boys flirt with the line and find themselves frustrated when a no-ball is called. At this age they are just too young to be flirting.
And finally, one for the parents
Encourage your children while they are playing, but don't call instructions out to them
As tempting as it may be, this can cause confusion, indecision and doubt in the children.
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