Setting Field Placements

In this lesson you will revise the main fielding positions. The field is divided into the off side and the leg side, decided by which way the batter is facing. Close catchers include slip, gully and short leg. In the ring you have point, cover, mid-off, mid-on, midwicket and square leg. In the deep you have third man, deep point, deep cover, long-off, long-on, deep midwicket, deep square leg and fine leg. Knowing these names lets you give clear instructions quickly. When you are unsure, point to the spot as well as naming it.

• Off side and leg side depend on the batter's stance
• Close catchers, ring fielders and deep fielders
• Learn the names to give quick instructions
• Point as well as name when unsure

In this lesson you will learn the Laws on fielders. Under Law 28 there may be no more than two fielders, not counting the wicketkeeper, behind the popping crease on the on side at the moment the ball is delivered. Fielders must not stand on or over the pitch, and they must not make significant movement after the bowler starts their run-up, other than small adjustments or moving in response to the batter. Breaking these rules results in a no-ball or dead ball. The wicketkeeper must stay wholly behind the stumps until the ball passes the stumps, is touched by the batter or the batter attempts a run.

• Maximum two fielders behind square on the leg side
• No fielder on or over the pitch
• No significant movement once the run-up starts
• Breaches lead to a no-ball or dead ball

In this lesson you will learn about fielding restrictions in T20. Standard T20 playing conditions mark a circle about thirty yards from the stumps. During the powerplay, the first six overs of an uninterrupted innings, no more than two fielders may be outside the circle. After the powerplay, up to five fielders may be outside. If a restriction is broken, the umpire calls a no-ball. Some competitions also use extra rules, such as fewer fielders outside the circle if a side is behind the over rate. Always check the WFA competition regulations for how these apply in our league.

• Powerplay is the first six overs
• Maximum two fielders outside the circle in the powerplay
• Up to five outside after the powerplay
• Check the WFA competition regulations for local rules

In this lesson you will look at attacking fields. An attacking field puts fielders in catching positions to take wickets, such as slips, gully, short leg or a short midwicket. You use it with the new ball, when the ball is swinging or spinning, when a new batter has just arrived, or when the batting side must take risks to win. The trade-off is that gaps open up and boundaries become easier. A good captain attacks when the reward is greatest and does not leave catchers in place once the chance has passed.

• Catchers placed to take wickets
• Use with new ball, movement or a new batter
• Attacking leaves gaps and costs runs
• Remove catchers once the chance has passed

In this lesson you will look at defensive fields. A defensive field spreads fielders to stop boundaries and limit singles. In T20 this usually means sweepers on the boundary at deep point, deep midwicket, long-on and long-off, with ring fielders saving the single. You use it when batters are well set, during the death overs or when defending a modest total. The aim is to make batters hit to the biggest part of the ground and against the bowler's strengths. A defensive field still needs a plan; spreading fielders randomly simply gives away easy singles.

• Sweepers protect the boundary
• Ring fielders save the single
• Use when batters are set or at the death
• Every defensive field still needs a plan

In this lesson you will learn that the field must suit the bowler. A fast bowler aiming outside off stump needs off-side protection and perhaps a third man. A bowler attacking the stumps with yorkers might want long-on, long-off and fine leg back. An off-spinner turning into a right-hander often needs strength on the leg side, while a leg-spinner may need protection on the off side. Ask your bowler what they plan to bowl before setting the field, and agree it together. A bowler who bowls to their field becomes much harder to score against.

• The field must match the bowler's plan
• Ask the bowler what they intend to bowl
• Pace outside off needs off-side protection
• Bowlers must bowl to their field

In this lesson you will learn how to manage changes of batter. When a left-hander and right-hander bat together, every single means the field must mirror across. This takes time and can frustrate bowlers. Plan the mirrored field in advance and teach fielders to know their opposite position, so that point becomes square leg or third man becomes fine leg. Use clear hand signals and move people promptly between balls. Slow field changes waste time, can upset the over rate and may attract an umpire's warning, so keep things brisk and organised.

• Left and right-hand pairs mean mirrored fields
• Plan and teach the opposite positions
• Use clear hand signals
• Keep changes quick to protect the over rate