Stoolball: Old English Target Cricket

An old English game related to cricket in which the batter defends a chest-high target with the bat while the bowler tries to hit it. The batting pair runs between targets to score runs. Students practice aim, batting, and running.

How to play

1. Set up two fields for 6 vs. 6 or 7: two targets on poles at chest height, 45 ft apart, and a bowling line 30 ft from the batter (3 min).
2. Two batters go out, one at each target. The bowler tosses underhand on the fly at the batter's target.
3. The batter protects the target with the bat. After a hit, both batters may cross and touch the opposite target with their bat: each crossing is 1 run.
4. A batter is out if the ball hits the target, if a hit is caught on the fly, or if a fielder touches the ball to the target they are running to first.
5. Each pair faces 6 pitches; an out costs 3 runs, but the pair keeps batting. The bowler changes every 6 pitches.
6. Once all pairs have batted, switch roles; the team with more runs wins (17 min).

Rules

• Safety: fielders stand at least 20 ft from the batter.
• A toss over the target or way off to the side is a no-ball worth 1 run.
• Batters defend the target with the bat only, never with their body.

Variations

Adaptations

• Limited mobility: the student bowls or bats, and a teammate runs for them.
• Visual impairment: use a high-contrast target and a large, bright ball.
• Skill level: students who struggle can hit with a wide paddle.

Learning goals

• Throw underhand accurately at a raised target.
• Protect a target with the bat and decide when to run.
• Learn a traditional British game and connect it to cricket.

Equipment for a class of 25

• soft bats: 4
• soft balls: 4
• poles: 4
• targets: 4
• cones: 8

Teacher tip

Secure the targets on heavy cones or tie them to a fence so they don't tip over. Tell students it was first played with a milking stool as the target; it hooks them.

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