Recommendations on field sizing

There is a broad recommendation of a field size of forty meters for under 10's.  This is an increase over previous years where the recommended size was thirty or thirty-five meters; and it is significantly larger than the fifteen meters I have seen on the smallest field set.

The coaches have some degree of autonomy in selecting the size of the field for a match, and I want to put forward a suggestion on how to find that right size.

I believe that a field should be large enough that:

• when the keeper is unable to take a delivery from all but the fastest bowlers that it does not go for four byes (it doesn't reach the boundary with speed)
• only the most powerful batsmen can readily strike boundaries, and few can achieve a six
• players will need to relay the ball when thrown in from the furthest boundaries

and that a field should be small enough that:

• batsmen can still hit boundaries
• bowlers can still reach the boundaries if batsman and wicket keeper miss the delivery
• players can throw in from the short boundaries without need of a relay

Field sizes should be adjusted downwards for wet and/or long grass, and upwards for short and dry grass - I would go with 10 or 15% upwards for each of dry and short, and the same downwards for each of wet and long.

The cricket season itself is effectively made up of two halves - before and after the Christmas break.  I would look at increasing the field size by five meters after the Christmas break - the players are growing, gaining in strength and skill, and this should mean that the boundaries are flowing more freely.

Why this is important?
Setting the field size properly helps to achieve a balance in the game - wayward bowling or misses by a keeper are not unduly penalised; running between the wickets is encouraged; and, playing shots in the air is discouraged.  Also, it allows skill to match power on a more even footing.

Marking the field
Use a string with a loop on one end and a knot or marker at the desired field size.  From each centre stump circumscribe a half arc facing away from the opposite wicket.  Join the two ends of the arcs on either side of the wicket as the side boundaries of the field.

Field boundaries using a string and centre stump