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Lesson 4 of 6
  • Year 8

Develop the overarm bowl with a run up to challenge the batting pair

I can bowl a ball with a run up and a variation of length bowled.

Lesson 4 of 6
New
New
  • Year 8

Develop the overarm bowl with a run up to challenge the batting pair

I can bowl a ball with a run up and a variation of length bowled.

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Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. Move: performing a gather at the end of the run up allows the bowler to take the side on position they need to bowl
  2. Move: sending the ball down the pitch at different lengths forces the batter into playing different shots.
  3. Think: varying the bowling length will keep the batter guessing and unable to get into a good rhythm.
  4. Feel: performing a successful run up, gather and delivery provides a sense of achievement.
  5. Connect: helping others to understand where their ball pitched will help them to adjust and improve their technique.

Keywords

  • Length - the distance from the batter’s stumps where the ball bounces

  • Popping crease - a line which the bowler must not pass before releasing the ball

  • Run up - the approach a bowler takes before releasing the ball

Common misconception

Pupils may believe that bowling should always be at the same length to be consistent. The phrase 'good length' might be part of the confusion.

Pupils should understand that as long as it is a legal ball, the length can vary. This is a good way to outwit the batter as different lengths create different challenges and keeps them guessing.


To help you plan your year 8 physical education lesson on: Develop the overarm bowl with a run up to challenge the batting pair, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...

This lesson is akin to a cricket nets session, lots of repeated actions focussed on bowling, with some batting, but not run scoring. Move experienced players on to the second section of the lesson very quickly, while beginners may need to remain in the first section - group pupils accordingly.
Teacher tip

Equipment

wind balls, wickets, bats, stack of cones

Content guidance

  • Risk assessment required - physical activity

Supervision

Adult supervision required

Licence

This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2025), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).

Prior knowledge starter quiz

Download quiz pdf

4 Questions

Q1.
When is a straight arm essential in cricket?

batting
fielding
Correct answer: bowling

Q2.
What is it called if the batter can’t hit the bowled ball because it’s too far away?

Correct answer: wide
no ball
dot ball

Q3.
How can learning complex skills help stress?

increase pressure
Correct answer: act as distractor
frustrate you

Q4.
When should you point to the target with the bowling arm?

before bowling
when releasing ball
Correct answer: during follow through

Assessment exit quiz

Download quiz pdf

4 Questions

Q1.
What is good about a good length?

Correct answer: difficult to score
easily hit
they go wide

Q2.
What length should the bowler use?

always good length
always a yorker
Correct answer: variety of lengths

Q3.
What position does the gather allow the bowler to get into?

front on
Correct answer: side on
diagonal

Q4.
How can mastering a complex sequence of movements make us feel?

Correct answer: sense of achievement
sense of dread
sense of humour