The Hertfordshire Charley Cricket Programme for U10 - U12 Age Groups is open to all players who have experienced (or are at least ready for) hard ball cricket and there is no requirement for a Club nomination or trial. As Charley Cricket is the start of our Performance Pathway players must qualify by either playing for a cricket club in Hertfordshire or be attending school / permanently living within Hertfordshire (in accordance with the ECB boundaries).
The ECB recommend:
For Foundation Stage programmes to be effective, player experience is key. A combination of challenge and support in a positive and enjoyable environment will help to foster a love of the game and promote lifelong engagement.
WINTER PROGRAMME (Runs from September to March)
The winter programme is designed to teach the basic technical and tactical fundamentals to those involved. We are trying to develop multi skilled players who have worked on aggressive cricket as batters, bowlers and fielders. We aim to do this by coaching the following:
Stepping into ball
Understanding importance of strong hitting base
Picking the toe of the bat high in back lift
Hitting high and low to leg and off
Understanding different hitting areas
Spin - constant movement (back or forth) from crease
Bowling - hitting specific areas so children learn control of length
Consistent and repeatable run-ups
All encouraged to experiment with spin and/or bowling action
Basic throwing technique – at stumps and to a fielder
Wicket Keeping basics
Currently young players tend to concentrate on a skill too often. We want to enhance their whole game. Through matches in the summer, we aim to make them aware of challenges when both batting and bowling.
A shorter pitch will also make the game seem much quicker.
One of the reasons for having Charley Cricket at U10 - U12 is the shorter pitch, as it will simulate the pace of an adult match environment. For example, bowlers can bowl short balls at a batter who will need to pull, hook and cut to score. These shots are desperately needed if a player is going to progress to playing at a higher level when older.
SUMMER PROGRAMME (runs during school holidays)
Players involved in the Charley Cricket Winter Programme are eligible to take part in the Summer Programme which consists of matches / field setting / game scenarios.
CHARLEY CRICKET - MATCH FORMAT
16 overs or less
17 yards for U11
18 yards for U12
Fielders – at least 1 slip and 1 boundary
Batting order is done on a rota during a days cricket
Batmen get an extra life in their first 6 balls - batters are keen to play attacking shots.
Three consecutive dot balls - loss of life/wicket - children learn about hard running, rotating strike, backing up via situations during game.
A recent review by the ECB states:
Research challenges the predictive value of early selection (pre-maturation), and there’s general agreement that the efficiency and effectiveness of talent identification improves with age. Nevertheless, it is acknowledged that players of all ages benefit from effective talent development (coaching, competition, conditioning etc.). Therefore, during the Foundation Stage it is essential to combine a high-quality player experience with broad numbers to best promote transition the latter stages of the game. Definitive selection should be avoided, with pathways employing entry and exit points throughout.
In line with this all Charley Cricket players are continually assessed throughout the year. To develop those players who have been identified by coaches as showing potential, we supplement the Charley Cricket programme with some additional U12 Challenge Sessions during the winter (these are strictly by invitation only). Hertfordshire Cricket do not run official County Age Group squads below U13.
Ben Waring
Performance Lead
Hertfordshire Cricket Limited
If you require further information about Charley Cricket then please email: CharleyCricket@hertscricket.org
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