KS4 · Physical education · Year 10
Defensive batting
Striking and fielding games: teaching others to play creative cricket games
Learn it. Recall it. Make it stick.
IllumED Slides
IllumED · 1/10
Your learning goal
I can avoid getting out by playing defensive cricket shots.
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Defensive batting: slides adapted from the imported teaching text; recall questions created from its keywords, learning points and common mistakes. Self-check practice, with no automatic grading or XP. Answers stay on this page and are cleared when you leave.
What you’ll learn
I can avoid getting out by playing defensive cricket shots.
Key learning points
- Move: angling the bat down towards the ground when playing defensive shots greatly reduces the risk of being caught out.
- Move: batters can leave the ball by remaining still as it passes both them and the wicket.
- Think: remembering to resist the urge to swing for the ball and remain disciplined is key to protecting the wicket.
- Feel: protecting the wicket for a long spell and sensing the frustration of the fielders is a satisfying feeling.
- Connect: congratulating a long-standing batter at the end of their innings is good sporting behaviour and respectful.
Words to know
- defensive
- the batter aims to protect their wicket rather than score runs
- forward defensive
- a defensive batting shot played by stepping forward towards the pitch of the ball and using a straight bat to block the ball
- leave
- a deliberate action where the batter chooses not to play a shot
Common mistakes
There is certainly a misconception with many pupils that the ball should be hit out into the field whenever possible, exacerbated by the need to do this in many other striking and fielding games.
Pupils should understand on occasions in cricket, blocking or leaving the ball are actually preferable shots to play, rather than shots with a higher risk of getting out. It requires a different mindset to a lot of other striking and fielding games.
For parents, carers and teachers
- Good bowling is essential for practising defensive shots, but not all pupils will be able to bowl consistently. To ensure the batter is properly tested, allow overarm or underarm thrown deliveries. This way, the batter still faces a realistic challenge, even if some players can’t bowl accurately.