Rounders Sessions
These cricket sessions focus on developing striking, sending, receiving, movement and team work skills within small-sided games. Lessons are progressive and suitable for indoor or outdoor delivery.
Lesson Plans
Lesson 1: Throwing & Catching Session
Warm-up • Skill Development • Game
View Lesson Plan
Learning Objective:
- To learn how to catch the ball using correct technique
- To be able to combine throwing and catching skills together with control
Success Criteria:
- I can use good technique for both underarm and overarm
- I can aim at a target with increasing accuracy.
- I can use good technique when catching
Key Words:
- Cupping
- W Shape
- Underarm
- Overarm
- Control
Equipment:
- Small balls/tennis balls
- Cones for set up
- Bibs
Preparation Ideas (warm up) – Germs & Medicine
Choose 3-4 taggers (germs) who will have a bib and the same number of releasers (medicine) who will start with a different coloured bib. Those without bibs need to get away from the germs. The germs need to tag as many people as possible. If you are tagged, stand still with hand in the air. The medicine will release you back into the game by giving a hi 5.
Progression:
>Give the medicine a tennis ball instead.
>To get back into the game, medicine must throw the ball to those who have been tagged, who will catch the ball and throw back to the medicine. Use the underarm throwing technique for this game
Skill Development
Creative catching
Each child given a ball and asked to find a space. They are going to move around the area, throwing the ball above their head and catching the ball. Concentrate on the ‘cupping technique’ for this activity. Explain to the children that they should use this technique when the ball is in the air straight above them
Progression:
>Can we throw the ball higher and catch the ball.
>Use both hands to throw.
>Use one hand to catch.
Throwing pairs
Children to get into pairs with one ball between them. They will stand around 3-4m apart to begin with. The aim is to throw the ball to their partner who must catch the ball using the ‘W shape technique’ using both the underarm and overarm technique
Progression:
>Standing further apart
>Creating a scenario where both straight and high throws can be done so that the catcher can use both the W shape and cupping technique
Game – Ball-Ectrix
Children to be in groups of 4, creating a square standing around 4-5m apart. The ball must make its way around the square, using both the underarm and overarm technique and both the W shape and cupping technique (which one they use will be determined by their decision making).
Start off by practicing throwing the ball around the square and then create a competition between groups where the team quickest to throw their ball around the area wins.
Progression:
>Standing further apart/closer to each other depending on how the game is going
>Combine 2 groups together and add another ball in. The balls should start at opposite sides of the circle. The aim is to not allow the balls to overtake one another. This could also be done as a whole class adding in an appropriate number of balls depending on the class ability. The higher the ability, the more balls that could be added
Teaching Points:
- Underarm technique – starting with the ball down by your side, non throwing arm should be used as an aimer, pointing towards the target (which is the spot). Swinging throwing arm back and then forward, stepping the front foot forward and releasing towards the target.
- Overarm technique – This time the ball starts above the shoulder. Again, non throwing arm should be pointed infront aiming at the target (which is the spot). This time push the ball forward, steeping on to the front foot, again aiming for the target.
- W shape technique – Knees slightly bent, hands together with thumbs touching creating a W with their hands. Again, when the ball is caught, bring the ball into the chest.
- Cupping technique – Hands together, little fingers stuck together and creating a cup or bowl for the ball to land in and bringing their hands into their chest.
- Remember to reinforce that we are looking for good accuracy and control in the session.
Key Questions:
- How did we keep control during the lesson?
- Where should we be aiming when throwing to our partner?
- What do we mean by the cupping technique and W shape?
- What will determine whether we use an underarm or overarm throw?
National curriculum links:
- Use running, throwing and catching in isolation and combination
- Develop control and technique through playing rounders
Social/environmental skills:
- Developing team work and collaboration skills
- Developing good communication skills
- Being able to solve problem throughout the session
- Showing resilience in their work by trying to improve
Lesson 2: Fielding Session
Warm-up • Skill Development • Game
View Lesson Plan
Learning Objective:
- To return the ball quickly and accurately using correct techniques
- To learn the different rounders positions
Success Criteria:
- I know the different roles in rounders
- I can use the long & short barrier to stop the ball.
- I can collect and throw the ball smoothly.
Key Words:
- Deep Fielders
- Base fielders
- Backstop
- Short barrier
- Long barrier
Equipment:
- Small balls/tennis balls
- Cones for set up
- Spots
- Bibs
Preparation Ideas (warm up) – Knowing The Roles
Use 5 cones/markers of different colours in areas of the playing zone. Explain that each area is a role in rounders:
>1 area is base fielder
>1 area is batter
>1 area is bowler
>1 area is back stop
>1 area is deep fielders
The children will move around the zone in a creative way. This could be jogging, sidesteps, running backwards, skipping, hopping etc. When the teacher shouts out one of the roles, the children must move to that area
In a larger class, you may want to set up a couple of different areas for each role so that the children have more space to move in to.
Skill Development
Short and long barrier
Get the children into pairs and ask them to stand around 5m apart with a ball between them. The partner with the ball will roll the ball along the floor to their partner who must create a short or long barrier and collect the ball in two hands before rolling it back to their partner who will do the same
Progression:
>Increase the distance between the groups.
>Get the child with the ball to roll the ball to the side so that those fielding need to move to the side before getting into position
Roll and run
Split the children into even groups of around 5 per group. Set up an area with a cone to mark the start line and a spot around 10-12m away which is the finish line. 3 children will start by lining up on the start line acting as the batter, with the person at the front having a ball. One person in the group will be standing next to the spot at the end, who will act as the base fielder, with the one person in the middle, to either the right or left, who will act as the deep fielder.
The person on the start line will roll the ball to the deep fielder and attempt to run to the end base on the other side. The deep fielder’s job is to stop the ball using either the long or short barrier and throw the ball to the base fielder. The base fielder then needs to catch the ball and put their foot on the spot before the batter reaches the spot. Once you have a go at being the batter, you move to the strike fielder, who moves to become the base fielder, who will go to the back of the batter line at the start line. Swap roles throughout.
Progression:
>The batter can bounce the ball to the deep fielder rather than rolling it to make it more difficult for the deep fielder to receive the ball.
>Increase or decrease the distance the batter must run depending on the success of the task.
Game – You’re Out!
Split the class into team of around 8 inside a pitch marked out. Set up a goal at either end of around 2-3m wide. Two teams will compete against each other to roll the ball through the goal set up. You can only roll the ball along the floor in this game.
The idea is the attacking team roll the ball to one another and try to score a point by rolling the ball into the goal. You can only intercept the ball by using a long or short barrier and when you have the ball in your hands you can only take 2 steps before you need to roll the ball.
Teaching Points:
- Short barrier – Turn the foot sideways and place it behind the ball with hands in front to collect the ball. If you miss the ball with your hands, the foot should act as a barrier. This can be done if the ball is rolling slowly
- Long barrier – Bend one knee (using the back leg) down towards the floor to again act as a barrier. This surface area is larger so is harder for the ball to get through. This can be done if the ball is rolling more quickly.
- Get the children to understand when each of the barriers should be used when playing a game. The short barrier should be used either when the ball is travelling slowly or when you need to quickly run out a player. The long barrier should be used when the ball is travelling quicker and you are at risk of missing the ball
Key Questions:
- How were we able to work as a team in the last game?
- Can you show a demonstration of the short and long barrier?
- Can you name the positions in rounders?
- How can you decide on whether to use the long or short barrier to stop the ball?
National curriculum links:
- Use running, throwing and catching in isolation and combination
- Develop control and technique through playing rounders
Social/environmental skills:
- Developing team work and collaboration skills
- Developing good communication skills
- Improving decision making skills
Lesson 3: Bowling Session
Warm-up • Skill Development • Game
View Lesson Plan
Learning Objectives:
- To develop the correct underarm bowling technique.
- To bowl with accuracy and consistency.
Success Criteria:
- I can bowl underarm with a straight arm.
- I can aim towards a target consistently.
- I can adjust my bowl to improve accuracy.
Key Words:
- Aim
- Power
- Technique
Equipment:
- Small balls/tennis balls
- Cones for set up
- Spots
- Bibs
Preparation Ideas (warm up) – Beat The Ball
Children to be split into even groups of around 7-8 per group. One person starts in the middle with the ball. The others form a medium sized circle around them. Make sure that if their arms are outstretched, they are not touching the person’s next to them. The person in the middle will throw the ball to someone on the outside who will throw the ball back to them.
On the 10th throw, the person who receives the ball and throws back to the centre person must then run around the outside of the circle and back to their spot. At the same time, the people on the outside must pass the ball to their right, all the way around the circle and try to beat the person running. Whoever is back first wins. The runner becomes the person in the middle and the game continues.
Progression:
>Make the circle larger
>Throwing with left/right hand only
>Catching with one hand.
Skill Development
Bowling practice
Get the children into pair standing around 5-6m apart. The must bowl using the underarm technique to their partners hands. We are looking for good technique throughout and good accuracy of our throws.
Progression:
>Ask each person to take a step back and continue bowling.
>Each time they can complete 10 passes in a row, ask them to take another step back.
Accurate bowling
Join two pairs up for this activity to create a group of 4. Two people will be bowling, one person will be holding a target hoop and the other will be the backstop.
The distance between the bowlers and the hoop will need to be around 6-8m to start with. The backstop should be a few steps behind the hoop waiting for the catch. The person holding the hoop will hold it out extended away from them to prevent/decrease the chances of them being hit. Try to use soft sponge balls (size of tennis balls) if possible, if not tennis balls should be fine as we are only throwing underarm.
The bowlers take it in turns to throw the ball through the hoop and to the backstop on the other side. Each time they can throw the ball through, they get a point. Allow 5 turns each before swapping roles. Make sure that each person in the group has a turn at each station.
Progression:
>Turn this into a game in the group. Have a bowler, backstop, hoop holder and a count referee. The bowler and backstop throw and catch the ball to each other through the hoop as many times as they can in two minutes. Each time the ball goes through the hoop and the backstop catches, they get one point. Swap the teams and play again.
>Increase the distance between the bowler, hoop and backstop to make the game more difficult.
Game – Running Rounders
Set up a rounders pitch as shown in the picture, in groups of 7 1 bowler, 1 backstop ,1 on each base and a runner. The bowler bowls and the runner let the ball pass them and go to the back stop, once he catches it the runner can set off.
The aim is to beat the ball round the diamond, the back stop has to throw to first base who has to throw to second and so on. The runner has 4 attempts to get round then the player rotate positions. A point is given for each base they get to.
Teaching Points:
- Bowling technique – The bowling technique is the same as an underarm throw. Spare arm out for aim, bowling the ball from underarm up towards the target.
- We are looking for good accuracy of our throw. Explain to the children about power and aim and how both determine a good throw. We are looking for them to use the correct technique and to think about the power and aim of their throw to ensure an accurate result.
- When playing the running rounders game, talk to the children about what may happen if their throw isn’t accurate to the next person. The only way we can beat the runner is by making sure our throws are accurate and for that we need to use good technique and to remember about our power and aim.
Key Questions:
- Can you demonstrate the bowling technique?
- How do we know that our throw is accurate?
- How did we improve our accuracy of throw throughout the session?
- Can you tell me ways that we showed respect during this lesson?
National curriculum links:
- Use running, throwing and catching in isolation and combination
- Developing control and technique through playing rounders
- Play competitive games against others
Social/environmental skills:
- Developing team work and collaboration skills
- Developing good communication skills
- Showing respect to others
- Showing good sportsmanship skills when playing games
Lesson 4: Batting Session
Warm-up • Skill Development • Game
View Lesson Plan
Learning Objective:
- To develop correct grip and stance when batting.
- To be able to strike the ball effectively using the correct technique
Success Criteria:
- I can hold the bat correctly and stand side-on.
- I can make contact with the ball consistently.
- I can make good decisions in the session
Key Words:
- Striking
- Technique
- Decision making
Equipment:
- Rounders Bats/Tennis Rackets
- Small balls/tennis balls
- Cones for set up
- Spots
- Bibs
Preparation Ideas (warm up) – Lily Pad Tag
Place spots all around the area. As many as there are pupils in the class. Pick 3-4 people to be taggers. They cannot stand on a spot (lily pad). Everyone starts off the spots. The game is a simple tag game. Every time someone reaches and stands on a spot for at least 3 seconds, they receive one point. When standing on a spot, you cannot be tagged but to gain another point, you need to move to another spot. When you are running in between spots, you can be tagged. If you are tagged, your score returns to 0.
Progression:
>Add more taggers or remove spots to make the game more difficult.
Skill Development
Striking technique
Get the children into groups of 3 with a ball between them (make this a tennis or sponge ball). To start with, the children will stand 1m apart from each other and look to ‘pat’ the ball to one another using the palms of their hands. We are looking for good accuracy in patting the ball towards their partners hands. Bowler aiming for their partner’s hands and catching the ‘pat’ back to them.
Progression:
>Add in a hoop for 1 player to hold outstretched in between the batter and catcher. This is to encourage the children to follow through on their strike to ensure the ball goes through the hoop to their partner.
>Increase the distance between the batter and the hoop to encourage greater power and accuracy
Striking with a bat
This activity will be very similar to the one previous, however this time we are going to add in a rounders bat. Start the activity again by getting the children split into roles (one bowler, one batter, one catcher). Bowler bowls the ball, batter strikes using the bat and fielder catches it. Swap roles after 5 turns.
Game – Continuous Rounders
Split the children into groups of 5. They will compete in a small game of rounders. The roles will be a batter, bowler, back stop and 2 out fielders. Set up a spot for the batter, bowler and backstop to stand. Distance from bowler to batter should be around 5-7m, with the backstop 3-4m behind the batter. The two fielders can position themselves wherever they want. Place a spot to the left and right of the batter (around 5m away from them).
The bowler bowls the ball to the batter. If the batter strikes the ball, they must run to the left or right, touch the spot with their foot and return to their starting position. Completing this action equals 1 point to the batter. If they feel they can run again, allow them to, this will add another point. Fielders retrieve the ball and return it to the bowler. As soon as the bowler has the ball they can throw, even if the batter has not returned. If the backstop receives the ball, that is a strike. After 3 strikes, everyone swaps roles. Continue until everyone has had a go at each role.
>If the ball is thrown above head height or if the ball bounces before reaching the batter, this is a foul ball and does not count towards strikes.
Teaching Points:
- Batting technique: Standing side on, looking at the bowler and ball. Have the bat horizontally outstretched from you at a 90 degree angle. Lean on the back foot and as you swing through, step forward on the front foot. Strike the ball ideally around waist height or between the waist and shoulder height and follow through your strike. Point your foot in the direction you want the ball to travel
- Bunt technique – Starting position same as above. However, this time you are going to then change to face straight rather than side on, with your strongest hand at the top of the bat and weaker hand at the bottom. We are looking to block and push the ball. This technique is used to just make contact with the ball. The ball will usually land right in front of the batter.
- Technique and timing are key to striking the ball correctly. We do not need to swing the ball with a lot of power to begin with. Focus on timing the strike correctly and making contact with the ball. If the children can’t make contact with the ball consistently, get them to focus on the bunt technique just to make contact with the ball.
- Reinforce to the children need to understand how to make good decisions. Should we look to strike the ball? Can we reach the ball by striking or is it too high or low? Should we just bunt the ball? All of these decisions are key.
Key Questions:
- Can anyone show us the correct technique when batting?
- What is hand eye co-ordination?
- When striking the ball, what do we need to focus on?
- What decisions do we have to make in the last game?
National curriculum links:
- Use running, throwing and catching in isolation and combination
- Play competitive games against others, applying basic principles for attacking and defending
- Develop technique and control through playing rounders
Social/environmental skills:
- Developing team work and collaboration skills
- Developing good communication skills
- Making good decisions throughout the session
Lesson 5: Making Improvements Session
Warm-up • Skill Development • Game
View Lesson Plan
Learning Objective:
- To make improvements to our batting, bowling and fielding skills throughout the session
- To be able to follow instructions
Success Criteria:
- I can use throwing, catching, bowling and batting skills in a game.
- I can make improvements to my rounders skills
- I know the basic rules of rounders.
Key Words:
- Improving
- Rules
Equipment:
- Rounders Bats/Tennis Rackets
- Small balls/tennis balls
- Cones for set up
- Spots
- Hoops
- Bean bags
- Rounders posts if available (for bases)
- Bibs
Preparation Ideas (warm up) – Tunnel Tag
Select 3-4 children to be taggers. Their job is to tag as many people as possible. If you are tagged, stand with legs apart to create a tunnel. Select 4-5 children to be given a ball. To get back into the game, those who have been tagged stand with their legs apart.
The person with the ball will roll the ball through their legs and collect the ball from the other side. Ask the children how they should roll the ball. How much power should we put into the roll?
Skill Development
We are going to set out 5 stations for the children to improve their batting, bowling and fielding skills:
Station 1 – Cone strike – Set out cones with a medium/large size ball placed on top. Using a tennis ball, children need to use an overarm throw to strike the ball off the cone
Progression:
>Standing further apart from the ball.
>Use a smaller ball as a target on the cone
Station 2 – Hoopla – Set out hoops at various distances. Children need to throw a bean bag into each hoop. The bean bag needs to stay in the hula hoop for the throw to count.
Progression:
>Increase the distance to the hoop.
>Use smaller hoops to make the target smaller.
>Replace the bean bag with a tennis ball. They will need to think about power to ensure the ball stays in the hoop.
>Set out lanes of hoops and make the game a race between the children in the group. First person to get a bean bag into all hoops win
Station 3 – Batting – In pairs. One person throws and one person strikes using the rounder bat. Set out target gates either side of the bowler (may have 2 on either side of the bowler. Use 2 cones to create the target zone that the batter needs to aim at). To succeed, the ball needs to go through the target gate.
Progression:
>Increase the distance to the target gates or decrease the size of the target zones.
>Make the activity a game between the pairs. 10 throws each, how many times can you get the ball through the zones.
Station 4 – Fielding on the base – One bowler, one backstop, one base fielder. Bowler bowls the ball underarm to the backstop, who then throws to the fielder on first base, who needs to be standing on the base as they catch the ball.
Progression:
>Increase the distance of the throw from the backstop to the base fielder
Station 5 – Fielding – One striker, one fielder. The striker has a tennis racquet and ball. They strike the ball (make sure not too far). The fielder has to retrieve the ball and throw the ball back to the striker.
Progression:
>Fielder stands at a distance in the field and tries to catch the strike, rather than having to just try to retrieve the strike.
Game – Rounders Game
Split the children into two even teams.
Bowling/fielding team positions – Bowler, backstop, 1st base fielder, 2nd base fielder, 3rd base fielder, 4 base fielder & outfielders
Batting team – Take in turns to strike the ball and run bases. If the batting team struggle using the rounders bat, allow them to use a tennis racquet.
Rules:
- Batter has 3 attempts at striking the ball. Allow them to use either the rounders bat or tennis racquet (try to get high ability children to use the rounders bat, lower ability using the tennis racquet. If the batter misses a good bowl 3 times, they have to run to first base. The backstop has to throw the ball to the 1st base fielder to get the batter out.
- If the bowler throws the ball and it bounces or goes above the batter’s head or below their knees, that is a ball. After 4 balls the batter is allowed to run to 1st base for free.
- Batter’s can stop on any base; however, you cannot have 2 people on a base or have batter’s overtaking each other. If two on one base, the person who got there second is out. If you overtake, the person who overtakes is out.
- Batter’s must run on the outside on the bases, if they run on the inside of any base they must return and stop on the previous base.
- If the batter stops on any base and after another go makes it all the way through 4th base and home, they get ½ point. If they strike and make it all the way around the bases and home, they get 1 point.
- If a base fielder has the ball in their hand and is standing on the base before the batter gets to the base, the batter is out
- If an outfielder catches the ball, the batter is out. Any batting team on bases must return the base they started on
This will be a simple game. We aren’t really looking for any particular tactics, we are trying to get the children used to the format of the game and the rules
Allow each team to have the same number of innings. This will be dependent on how much time you have & how long it takes between each innings
Teaching Points:
- We are looking for the children to show good technique when they are at all stations. Ensure the children are using the correct technique at all stations
- With the bowling, we are looking for that accuracy of the throw thinking about the power and aim of our throw
- With batting, we are looking to make good contact with the ball. We aren’t necessarily too bothered about the power and distance, it is about making good contact and then building more power
- With the fielding, we are looking to be ready in position, use good communication (especially if two people are going towards the same ball) and an accurate throw to either one of the bases or to the bowler.
Key Questions:
- What do we mean by the term improving?
- How did we improve each area of our rounders game in today’s lesson. Ask for demonstrations and examples?
- Can anyone give me a rule for rounders?
National curriculum links:
- Use running and throwing in isolation and combination
- Develop technique, balance and control through playing rounders
- Play competitive games against others
- Comparing their performance against a previous attempt and looking for improvements to their technique
Social/environmental skills:
- Develop team work and collaboration skills
- Develop good team communication skills
- Showing resilience in their work by trying to improve
- Developing leadership skills
- Showing creativity in their work (coming up with tactics)
Lesson 6: Rounders Games
Warm-up • Skill Development • Game
View Lesson Plan
Learning Objectives:
- To apply skills in a competitive game situation.
- To follow rules and play fairly.
- To demonstrate teamwork and respect.
Success Criteria:
- I can play rounders games following the rules.
- I can show fair play and respect to others.
- I can use the correct skills during a game.
Key Words:
- Rules
- Respect
- Sportsmanship
Equipment:
- Rounders Bats/Tennis Rackets
- Small balls/tennis balls
- Cones for set up
- Spots
- Rounders posts if available (for bases)
- Bibs
Preparation Ideas (warm up) – Creative Team Warm Up
Split the class into 4-6 even teams (min 5 per group)
Allow each team to go away and lead their own warm up. This will include a dynamic movement, each person in the group picking a stretch, and practicing their bowling and fielding technique. You may want to give each group 3-4 balls each to practice this so they can go into smaller groups within their team
Game – Rounders Games
Split the children into two even teams (4 teams if you have the resources)
Bowling/fielding team positions – Bowler, backstop, 1st base fielder, 2nd base fielder, 3rd base fielder, 4 base fielder & outfielders
Batting team – Take in turns to strike the ball and run bases. If the batting team struggle using the rounders bat, allow them to use a tennis racquet.
Rules:
- Batter has 3 attempts at striking the ball. Allow them to use either the rounders bat or tennis racquet (try to get high ability children to use the rounders bat, lower ability using the tennis racquet. If the batter misses a good bowl 3 times, they have to run to first base. The backstop has to throw the ball to the 1st base fielder to get the batter out.
- If the bowler throws the ball and it bounces or goes above the batter’s head or below their knees, that is a ball. After 4 balls the batter is allowed to run to 1st base for free.
- Batter’s can stop on any base; however, you cannot have 2 people on a base or have batter’s overtaking each other. If two on one base, the person who got there second is out. If you overtake, the person who overtakes is out.
- Batter’s must run on the outside on the bases, if they run on the inside of any base they must return and stop on the previous base.
- If the batter stops on any base and after another go makes it all the way through 4th base and home, they get ½ point. If they strike and make it all the way around the bases and home, they get 1 point.
- If a base fielder has the ball in their hand and is standing on the base before the batter gets to the base, the batter is out
- If an outfielder catches the ball, the batter is out. Any batting team on bases must return the base they started on
Allow each team to have the same number of innings. This will be dependent on how much time you have & how long it takes between each innings
Teaching Points:
- Batting team:
>Communicating with each other when they are running between bases. Make sure they don’t end up with two on one base or where someone is overtaking when running between bases.
>Looking for gaps in the field to strike the ball. Do we need to strike the ball hard and long, or can we use a block and run to first base, maybes to get someone on 4th base home to get the team ½ point - Fielding/bowling team:
>When fielding, think about what base we want to block. Do we want to block 2nd base because someone is running there, or do you want to block 4th base where a different person is running.
>Swap roles after each batter so that everyone can have a turn at each role.
>Think about where we are placing fielder. No outfielder can be placed inside the bases, they must be on the outside
Key Questions:
- How can we show respect and good sportsmanship whilst playing rounders?
- What do mean by the term tactic?
- Can you explain a tactic that you have used in the game?
National curriculum links:
- Use running, throwing and catching in isolation and combination
- Play competitive games against others, applying basic principles for attacking and defending
- Develop technique and control through playing rounders
Social/environmental skills:
- Developing team work and collaboration skills
- Developing good communication skills
- Showing creativity in coming up with tactics
- Showing good sportsmanship throughout the session
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