Booking a lane is the easy part. Knowing what to do once you are in there is what separates a useful session from an hour of aimless hitting. These five drills give your cricket lane hire a clear structure, whether you are training alone, with a partner or in a small group.
Quick session plan
| Drill | Focus | Time | Players needed |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Target bowling | Bowling accuracy | 15 mins | 1+ |
| 2. Bowling machine reps | Batting practice | 15 mins | 1+ |
| 3. Shot selection game | Decision making | 10 mins | 2 |
| 4. Pairs throwdowns | Timing and placement | 10 mins | 2 |
| 5. Fielding finisher | Catching and reactions | 10 mins | 2+ |
1. Target bowling
Place a cone or marker on a good length and aim to hit it as often as possible in a set of 30 balls. Keep score each week so you can track your bowling accuracy over time. If you want expert help with your run-up, action and consistency, our bowling workshop covers pace and spin in detail.
2. Bowling machine repetition
A bowling machine delivers the same ball again and again, which makes it perfect for grooving one shot at a time. Pick a single stroke, such as the cover drive, and face 30 deliveries focused only on that movement. Bola machines are available to add to any booking when you arrange cricket net hire at HECC.
3. Shot selection game
Have your partner mix up their deliveries while you call “attack”, “defend” or “leave” before playing each ball. This trains your brain to read length early, which is one of the most valuable skills in batting. Score a point for every correct call and try to beat your total next session.
4. Pairs throwdowns
One player feeds underarm or overarm throws while the batter aims at zones marked along the side netting. Swap roles every 20 balls so both players get target practice. To build on this with qualified coaches, take a look at our batting workshop.
5. Fielding finisher
End every session with five minutes of sharp catching. Stand a few metres apart and throw rapid, varied catches at each other, mixing high balls with low ones. It finishes the hour on a fun, competitive note and keeps your hands match ready.
Make it a habit
Good players do not train more, they train smarter. Repeat this session plan each week, note your scores and watch your numbers improve. If you want to take coaching further, the ECB coaching courses page explains the official pathways available across England and Wales.
Ready to put these drills into action? Book your lane at HECC today.