U10 Guidelines for Matches and Player Rotation

The purpose of this document is to help guide Saturday match volunteers in their duties to best influence the game in a way that promotes fair play and healthy competition while giving opportunities to all U10 club members.

However within these guidelines please note that our children are still just young kids. Let’s not make winning at this point the be-all and end-all of our kids cricketing experience. Most children that participate in our club love to play cricket, let’s help them along the way to enjoy it, whether through winning or losing. Ultimately the primary objective is for them to learn to play the sport better, learn to be part of a team and learn about life through the ups and downs of sport.

While winning/competing can be enjoyable the rotation of batters and bowlers remains at the core of how we play matches at U10 level. We would therefore like to put these basic parameters in place to take some of the guesswork out of the hands of the manager, which makes it much easier to apply.

Batting

• According to the number of overs played, batters are retired at X number of balls according to the number of wickets that falls (excluding wides and no balls).
• If it is clear that the number of balls decided on will not give everyone a fair chance in the case where no wickets fall, bring the number of balls can be adjusted down to accommodate the tail end.
• In a case where is a collapse of the top order, batters can be given more balls to steady the ship, this is to the manager's discretion - provided there will be enough balls for batters #10 and #11 to face.
• Scorers should make a note to the U10 manager if batters do not get a fair chance so we can move them up the order for the next game.

Bowling

• The bowling list is the reverse of the batting list.
• The manager can skip a player who really struggled the first time, but this should be an exception.
• The last 5 overs in a 25 over game can be awarded to best bowlers on the day.

Please also take the time to read our Selection Policy which expands on this further and which also details "minimum level of ability".

U10 Check sheet for Volunteers

Manager

Before the match

• Set out the wickets and boundaries (if necessary).
• Meet and greet the Strikers and opposition coaches and umpires.
• Gather the team, check everybody is present, welcome them and introduce the captain for the day.
• Do a quick warm up and throw a ball around in a circle if there is time. The parent organising kids around the field can also do this.
• Toss 10-15 minutes before start.
• Match ball - Given to the captain if their side bowls first (otherwise keep it for them.) Remember to gather the ball after the innings for safe keeping as it can be awarded to the player of the match.

During the match

• Help with field setting. Players tend to drift at this age and might need guidance throughout. (Field settings documents can be referred to.)
• Help retire batters at the right time. Scorers can be asked to help. It is U10 policy that we play rotational cricket.
• Help batters understand the match situation, score and task at hand (where necessary).

Finally, encourage the players to shake hands after the match.

Player of the match is announced and the match ball is awarded as prize. Ask the team (scorers and umpires) to help as it can be a daunting task.

Gather Strikers equipment.

Off Field Organiser

The idea of this role is just to support the match-day manager in their duties, get the batters padded and do some fielding before the game.

Scorers

• We would like scorers to make use of the Stumps app as far as possible as it keeps track of player stats. It is also a great way for parents to keep track of the games and it has very handy summaries to publish after the game. I think it is way easier to score as well.
• Player profiles have been created as name and surname followed by SS (Somerset Strikers) e.g. Paul Adams SS. The teams will be loaded and matches set up beforehand ensuring the right profiles are used.
• If scorers on the day are not comfortable using the app they are welcome to use the paper sheet method.

Note: The app can consume a lot of battery power so charge your phone beforehand. You can pass on scoring duties to another phone by assigning the match to a new scorer. It is also handy to have a scorer or phone for each innings.

For parents who are still a little unsure of the app. A great tip is to practice using the Stumps app the next time you watch a cricket game on TV, in a low-pressure environment. Please also shadow a scorer at the next game.

While scoring is a fun and interesting part of the game playing the game is more important so never let scoring get in the way of playing.

Umpires

• There are lots of YouTube videos of basic umpiring signals if you are feeling a little rusty (basic signals below.)
• The most important thing is consistency.
• Decide/discuss your wide markers beforehand.
• Ball counting can get tricky with lots of wides, so make use of a clicker or stones.
• No LBW at U10 level. However, If a player is found deliberately covering their wickets they should be asked to move and should get warned if trapped LBW and dismissed at the next instance. This should also be communicated before the match.

Please feel free to ask a more experienced coach to shadow them during a game. It is a great way to get a feel for it and overcome nerves.