This drill is part of the PitchVision Academy fielding drills series, for more in this series click here.

Purpose: A very realistic stopping and catching drill, with a lot of flexibility to cover inner ring fielding. Can be done with 3-7 players.

Description: The ball is fed by a coach into the inner ring. Fielders attempt to stop or catch the ball before returning it to the feeder. Players change positions regularly. One or two fielders act as cover if the ball is missed.

 The feed can be performed in several ways, depending on need and equipment:

• With a feeder providing an underarm throw to a coach with a cricket bat. The advantage of this is players get to see realistic shots played and can work on anticipation.
• With a Katchet board and a fielding bat or Sidearm thrown underarm. This the ball travel faster and with more random deviation.
• With a coach alone, hitting with a bat or fielding bat. This is the least realistic but is still an excellent drill.

Variations

• Dispense with the fielders behind and make it a challenge that the coach gets a point for beating the fielders or drop, the fielders get a point for a stop or catch.
• Perform the same drill for different shots and move the fielders to suitable positions: cut, pull, leg side flick and on drive.
• Track performance by having fielders note down the number of catches, drops, clean stops and misfields they perform. Look to improve over time.