Find the Gap Cricket
A small-sided cricket game in which the field is split into six sectors: the fielding captain sets the field and the batter tries to hit the ball into the open gap. Students practice directed batting, tactical positioning, and team communication.
How to play
- Make three groups of 8-9. Each group marks a half circle with a 50 ft radius, split into six sectors with cones, plus an inner ring of flat discs at 23 ft (3 min).
- Each group has a batter in front of a cone wicket, a bowler 25 ft away, a wicketkeeper behind, and five fielders whom the captain places before each set.
- The bowler bowls underhand with one bounce; the batter gets 6 deliveries and tries to send the ball into a sector with no fielders.
- Scoring: 4 if the ball crosses the outer boundary, 2 if it passes the inner ring before being stopped, 1 if stopped inside the ring, and 0 if caught on the fly.
- If the ball knocks down the wicket, subtract 2 points. After 6 balls, rotate: batter to the field, keeper to bat, bowler to keeper.
- Play until everyone has batted once, then compare individual scores (21 min).
Rules
- Safety: nobody stands closer than 15 ft in front of the batter.
- Fielders may not change sectors until the ball is hit.
- The fielding captain changes every set so everyone gets to decide.
Variations
Easier
Hit the ball off a cone with only four fielders.
Standard
Bounced bowling, six sectors, and five fielders placed by the captain.
Harder
The batter calls the sector before hitting and only scores if they hit it.
Adaptations
- Limited mobility: the student acts as captain or keeper and bats off a cone.
- Autism: give them a card with a drawing of the sectors and the value of each hit.
- Skill level: students who struggle can use a wider paddle.
Learning goals
- Angle the bat to direct the ball into open space.
- Place fielders based on the batter's tendencies.
- Communicate to cover the gaps in the field.
Equipment for a class of 25
- soft bats: 3
- tennis balls: 6
- cones: 30
- flat disc cones: 24
Teacher tip
Ask each captain why they set the field that way; putting the decision into words really sharpens tactics. Remind batters that the wrists aim the ball more than raw power.
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