Coaching Wicketkeeping Fundamentals

In this lesson you will learn about the wicketkeeper's role and how to keep keepers safe. The keeper takes more balls than any other fielder, sets the standard for the fielding side and has a key role in run-outs and stumpings. Keepers need gloves, pads and an abdominal guard. When standing up to the stumps against a hard ball, a helmet with a faceguard should be worn, and ECB guidance expects young keepers to wear one. Check that gloves fit well and are in good condition. Keepers spend a long time crouching, so warm-ups should prepare the legs, hips and back. Build volumes gradually to avoid sore hands and knees.

• The keeper is central to the fielding side
• Gloves, pads and abdominal guard always
• Helmet when standing up to a hard ball
• Warm up legs and hips and build volume gradually

In this lesson you will coach the keeper's stance. The keeper crouches with feet about shoulder width apart, weight on the balls of the feet, gloves together resting lightly in front with fingers pointing down, and head still with eyes level. For pace bowling, the keeper stands back at a distance where the ball arrives at around waist height after bouncing. For spin and slower bowling, the keeper stands up close behind the stumps, ready for stumpings. The keeper should be positioned to see the ball clearly, often just outside the line of off stump. Rise with the bounce of the ball rather than coming up too early.

• Crouch, weight on the balls of the feet
• Gloves together, fingers down, head still
• Stand back so the ball arrives at waist height
• Stand up for spin and slower bowling

In this lesson you will coach footwork. Good keepers move their feet to get the body behind or in line with the ball rather than reaching with the hands. For balls down the leg side, the keeper steps across with the outside foot first, keeping the head in line. For wider off-side balls, a side step or shuffle gets them in position. Teach keepers to stay low as they move and to rise with the ball. Use lateral movement drills with cones and feeds that move the keeper side to side. Footwork is the foundation of clean glovework, so give it plenty of time in practice.

• Move the feet, do not just reach
• Lead with the outside foot on the leg side
• Shuffle or side step for wider balls
• Stay low and rise with the ball

In this lesson you will coach clean glovework. The gloves should work together, with fingers pointing down for lower balls and up or sideways for higher balls, and the hands should give with the ball to cushion it. Encourage keepers to watch the ball right into the gloves and to bring the ball towards the stumps after taking it, ready for a stumping or run-out. Avoid snatching or stabbing at the ball. Use short underarm feeds with tennis or soft balls, then a variety of heights and angles, and finally deliveries from bowlers in the nets. Count clean takes so keepers have a clear measure of progress.

• Gloves work together and give with the ball
• Watch the ball right into the gloves
• Bring the ball towards the stumps after taking it
• Count clean takes to measure progress

In this lesson you will coach stumpings and taking returns. When standing up, the keeper takes the ball cleanly, then moves the gloves quickly to the stumps to break the wicket while the batter is out of their ground. Under the Laws, the wicket must be broken with the ball or with the hand or arm holding the ball. When taking throws, the keeper moves quickly to a position behind the stumps, gives the fielder a clear target, and takes the ball in front of the stumps where possible before breaking the wicket. Practise run-out scenarios with fielders throwing from different angles.

• Take cleanly, then move quickly to the stumps
• Break the wicket with ball or hand holding it
• Get behind the stumps and give a clear target
• Practise throws from different angles

In this lesson you will look at the mental and physical side of keeping. Keepers are perfectly placed to encourage the bowler and fielders, organise the field with the captain and call for throws and catches. They must concentrate on every single ball of the innings, so teach routines that switch concentration on as the bowler runs in and relax it between deliveries. Keeping is physically demanding, especially for the legs, so include squat, mobility and agility work suited to the player's age. Remind keepers to hydrate and to stretch after sessions. Positive, constant communication from the keeper lifts the whole team.

• Encourage and organise the fielding side
• Switch concentration on and off between balls
• Develop leg strength, mobility and agility
• Hydrate and stretch after sessions