Ask most juniors what they love about cricket and they will say batting or bowling. Fielding rarely makes the list, yet it is where children touch the ball most often across a season. A young player who can stop, catch and throw with confidence is involved in every over, and that involvement is what keeps them enjoying the game.
This guide breaks fielding into three basic skills, explains how to practise each at home, and suggests how parents can support without turning the backyard into a drill session.
Why fielding deserves more attention
A batter faces a handful of balls each innings and a bowler delivers a set number of overs. A fielder, on the other hand, can be asked to act on any delivery. Children who are comfortable in the field tend to stay switched on, call for catches, back up throws and feel part of the team even on days when the bat or ball does not go their way.
Fielding also builds skills that carry into everything else. Tracking a moving ball, adjusting footwork and releasing a throw with a clear target all strengthen the hand-eye coordination that batting and bowling rely on.
Skill one: stopping the ball on the ground
Ground fielding is about getting the body behind the ball. The simplest cue for young players is to move their feet first, get low and let the hands reach out in front. Many children grab at the ball with their hands while their feet stay still, which is how balls squirt through.
What a good ground fielding position looks like
The feet are about shoulder width apart, the knees are bent and the head is still, looking at the ball. The hands are low and open, with the fingers pointing down. Once the ball is gathered, the player brings it in towards the body and prepares to throw.
A simple way to practise
Roll a tennis ball along the grass from a short distance and ask your child to field it and return it. Start with slow rolls and only increase the pace when the movements feel natural. Rolling it slightly to one side helps children learn to shuffle across rather than lunge.
Skill two: catching
Catching is mostly about watching the ball and staying relaxed. Tense hands bounce the ball out, while soft hands that give a little on impact hold on to it. For lower catches the fingers point down, and for higher catches they point up, with the thumbs close together.
Young players often drop catches because they take their eyes off the ball early to think about the throw. A useful habit is to tell your child to catch first and look for the next job second. If a ball is hit high, calling loudly for it also prevents collisions between teammates. Our article on running between the wickets touches on why calling matters for batters too, and the same communication habit helps fielders.
Building up from tennis balls
A soft ball is a sensible starting point. Throw underarm from a short distance, then add gentle tosses a little above head height. Hard cricket balls are best introduced under the guidance of a coach, once your child is confident and the correct equipment is available.
Skill three: throwing accurately
Strong throws start from the legs and hips, not just the arm. The player turns side on to the target, points the non-throwing hand at it, then steps and rotates through the throw. A throw that is accurate matters more than one that is hard, because a wild throw lets batters take extra runs.
Set up a target such as a bucket, a cone or a parent standing about ten metres away, and ask for throws that arrive at chest height. Praise accuracy before distance. Over time the strength will follow.
Fielding positions and what they teach
Young players benefit from moving around the field rather than being parked in one spot. The inner ring teaches quick reactions and short throws, while the outfield develops longer throwing and chasing. Rotating positions in practice and games also helps children discover where they feel comfortable.
It is worth keeping an eye on conditions too. Long fielding spells in the sun can tire young players, and our guide to cricket in hot weather explains how to keep children comfortable and hydrated.
Making fielding fun at home
Short and playful beats long and repetitive. Try a challenge where your child counts how many catches they can take in a row, or tries to hit a target with a throw. Five to ten minutes a few times a week is plenty. If your child starts to lose interest, stop and try again another day.
Avoid correcting every movement. Pick one thing, such as getting the feet moving, and leave the rest. Children improve faster when they are given a single cue to focus on.
When to bring in a coach
Backyard practice builds familiarity, but a coach can notice small habits that are hard to see at home, such as hands that are too stiff or a throwing action that loses power. Our foundational training program covers movement, hand-eye coordination and ball skills for younger players, and our beginner level program gives children who are new to cricket a structured introduction to all of the core skills, fielding included.
The goal is not to create a specialist fielder at this age. It is to give children enough skill to feel capable and enough confidence to throw themselves into the game.
Frequently asked questions
How early can a child start learning to field?
Many children can begin simple rolling, catching and throwing games from around the time they start playing organised cricket. Keep it playful and use soft balls until they are ready to progress.
Should my child wear gloves or other protection to field?
Most fielding at junior level is done without protection, though close catching positions carry extra risk. Ask your coach or club about what is appropriate for your child’s age group and position.
Why does my child keep dropping easy catches?
It is usually a mix of tense hands and looking away too soon. Slow, soft catches with a relaxed grip, and a habit of watching the ball into the hands, tend to fix it.
What is the best way to improve throwing accuracy?
Practise throwing at a clear target from a short distance and increase the range gradually. Using the legs and a side-on stance helps more than simply throwing harder.
Is it better to specialise in one fielding position?
Not at a young age. Trying inner ring and outfield positions builds a wider range of skills, and preferences often change as children grow.
Ready to build your child’s fielding confidence?
| Come and meet the coaches at Concept Sports Academy
Fielding is one of the quickest ways for a young cricketer to feel more involved in the game. Book an assessment and our coaches will look at how your child moves, catches and throws, then suggest a sensible next step for them. Get in touch to find a time that suits your family. |