Under 8s & 9s Explained IWHCA Competition

Game Attributes The game has been modified to ensure every child has equal opportunity with both bat & ball with the emphasis on participation, enjoyment and to learn basic skills There are no competition points There are 8 batsman & fielders Bowling is from one end There is no Leg Before Wicket (LBW) An over consists of six balls regardless of what is bowled There are four batting pairs The batsmen gets out, but continues to bat

Important Numbers Under 8s Under 9s Boundary radius 30 metres Pitch Length (stump to stump) 15 metres 18 metres Innings Length 16 overs 24 overs Batting pairs bat for 4 overs 6 overs Max overs for a bowler 2 overs 3 overs Distance fielder must be away from the batsman (excludes keeper) 10 metres

Batsman gets out The loss of a wicket is recorded on the score sheet as minus three runs from the team score The batsman change ends upon dismissal

Bowling Maximum of two consecutive overs per bowler Front foot “No balls” don’t apply The “No Ball” rule in relation to throwing doesn’t apply, however proper bowling should be the top priority of the coach

The “Free Hit” Relates to when the ball has been bowled off the pitch Until the ball has passed the line of the striker’s wicket: No fieldsman is to field the ball The fieldsman must remain in their positions until the batsman has taken a swing Note the batsman has the free hit off the grass. The coach does not put it on a tee Failure to score a run is a “no ball”

Coach/Manager When Bowling When Batting Umpires at the bowlers end when their team is in the field Can coach on the field (in particular the bowlers) Keep the fielding side alert & keep the over rate moving along When their side is batting they umpire at square leg Can coach the batsmen Can rotate the batsmen at any time (even between overs)

Equipment Stumps: Masking tape or chalk to mark the crease Rebound plastic with flat metal base or Spring loaded wooden stumps or Plastic PVC stumps (like IN2Cricket) Masking tape or chalk to mark the crease 6 boundary markers each team Balls Under 8s – Platypus Softy Junior or per IWHCA Under 9s – Platypus Plyaball

Others The base plate of the stumps is not part of the wicket If a team is short the opposing team may supply a substitute player who can bat, bowl or field Once a ball bowled has bounced more than twice the batsman can not be out bowled Don’t yell out “No ball” just signal, think of the child’s self esteem

Focus Tips for the Coach Under 8s Under 9s Bowling over arm on the pitch Throwing & catching Batting off a tee Bowling over arm on the pitch (for better players concentrate bowling in a channel) Throwing & catching Batting Running between wickets Batting with pads Under arm or throwing to them