French Cricket

A popular backyard and beach game where the batter uses the bat to protect their legs without moving their feet, while the group throws the ball from wherever they pick it up. Students practice defensive hitting, hand-eye coordination, and accurate underhand throwing.

How to play

1. Make groups of 6 and mark a circle of cones about 20 ft across for each group; one student stands in the middle with the bat and the rest spread out around the circle (2 min).
2. Throwers toss underhand, trying to hit the batter's legs below the knee with the soft ball.
3. The batter defends with the bat and may not move their feet; only after hitting the ball can they turn to face the next throw while it is fielded.
4. The next throw comes from wherever the ball is picked up, even inside the circle, but always at least 10 ft away.
5. Whoever hits the legs or catches a hit in the air becomes the batter; the batter scores 1 point per hit and joins the throwers (13 min).

Rules

• Safety: underhand throws only, aimed below the knees.
• No throwing from closer than 10 ft.
• The batter may not raise the bat above the waist when swinging.

Variations

Adaptations

• Limited mobility: bat from a chair protecting the chair legs, or throw from a fixed spot.
• Visual impairment: use a ball with bells and have the thrower call out before throwing.
• Skill level: students who struggle can bat with a large-head racket.

Learning goals

• Use the bat to protect a personal target.
• Throw underhand accurately to a low target.
• Share batting turns fairly.

Equipment for a class of 25

• plastic cricket bats: 4
• soft balls: 4
• cones: 24

Teacher tip

The key strategy is passing quickly to throw at the batter's back. Remind students often that only hits below the knee count, to keep the game safe.

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