Essential Skills and Techniques: Cricket | Physical Education for Year 6 PDF Download

The Cricket Straight Drive

A straight drive is a purposeful shot designed to strike the ball along the ground to avoid being caught.

Stage One

• Position your feet shoulder-width apart, aligned with the batting crease.
• Slightly bend your knees, keeping your weight evenly balanced.
• Place your top hand and the bat’s handle lightly against the inner thigh of your front leg, with the bat resting on the ground at a 45° angle.
• Position your head above your front foot, facing the bowler.

Stage Two

• As the bowler nears, keep the bat close to your body and lift it by bending both elbows until it’s level with your shoulders.
• When the ball is released, step your front foot back behind your front knee and chest, keeping your back leg straight with the foot firmly planted.
• Your head should align with your front knee, and your back foot should rise onto its toes.
• Upon contact, swing the bat downward in a straight line, keeping elbows bent and fixed, until the bat’s face points upward.

The Cricket Forward Defensive Shot

A forward defensive shot is a calculated stroke aimed at protecting the wicket or the player’s pads from the ball.

Stage One

• Stand with feet shoulder-width apart, parallel to the batting crease, knees slightly bent, and weight evenly distributed.
• Rest your top hand lightly against the inner thigh of your front leg, with the bat angled at 45° and touching the ground.
• The head is over the line of the front foot and facing the bowler.

Stage Two

• As the bowler approaches, keep the bat near your body and raise it by bending both elbows until it’s level with your shoulders.
• Step your front foot forward, bending your front knee and torso into the ball’s path, while keeping your back leg straight and foot planted.

Stage Three

• Swing the bat downward, striking the ball under your head, with the bat’s face angled toward the ground.
• The bat should be slightly ahead of your front leg and close to your pad.
• Lift the heel of your back foot and maintain your finishing stance without following through.

The Cricket Overarm Bowl Technique

An overarm bowl is the legal method for delivering a ball in competitive cricket.

Stage One

• Begin your run-up from a maximum of 15 meters behind the wicket.
• Keep your arms near your body, head steady, and eyes focused on the batter.

Stage Two

• As you approach the crease, rotate your body so your shoulder faces the wicket and lean back slightly.

Stage Three

• At the release point, hold the ball near your chin, with your non-bowling arm raised and elbow pointing toward the target.
• Keep your head focused on the wicket, looking past your front arm.
• As your back foot lands before the popping crease, stay upright and lift your front foot, pointing your knee toward the target.
• When your front foot lands, ensure your toes point toward the batter.

Stage Four

• When releasing the ball, rotate your shoulders and extend your bowling arm forward and downward from the coiled position.
• Your non-bowling arm should point toward the batter.
• Rotate your arms through the motion, releasing the ball at the peak of the delivery arc.
• Follow through while keeping your eyes on the batter.

The Cricket Overarm Throw Technique

An overarm throw is the quickest and most precise way to transfer the ball between players.

Stage One

• Stand with feet shoulder-width apart, sideways to the target, on the balls of your feet, with weight on your back foot.
• Pull your throwing arm back behind your head at a 90° angle.
• Aim your non-throwing arm at the target.

Stage Two

• Shift your weight from your back foot to your front foot by rotating your hips and torso toward the target.
• Lead with your elbow as you bring your throwing arm forward, with your forearm and wrist following quickly.
• Release the ball just in front of your head, with both feet grounded and your chest facing the target.
• Follow through with your throwing arm pointing toward the target.

The Cricket Long Barrier Technique

The long barrier is the most secure method for controlling a cricket ball moving along the ground.

Stage One

• Approach the ball at a controlled pace.
• Align your body with the ball’s path, positioning your entire body behind it.
• Quickly bend both knees and rotate sideways so the knee of your dominant leg touches the ground and meets the heel of your other leg.
• Extend your arms downward, with hands spread wide and little fingers touching.
• Collect the ball, bring it into your body, and stand up, ready to make the best decision.