The Club has adopted the ECB Guidelines for supervising
children at cricket sessions.
1. There will always be a minimum of two responsible
adults present at matches and sessions involving children.
2. For single sex groups, there will be at least one
same gender supervising adult. For mixed groups, there will be at least one
male and one female supervising adult.
3. The following (minimum) supervision ratios will be
observed:
3.1 Aged 8 and under – 1 Adult : 8 children.
3.2 Aged 9 and over – 1 Adult : 10 children.
4. Supervisors will ensure that all players drink
appropriate amounts of water and avoid any possible risks of dehydration
during matches and practice sessions.
5. The club will also ensure that appropriate risk
assessments are conducted of facilities and increase the number of
supervisors where, for example, changing rooms are located several minutes
from training venues. The Club will undertake an adequate risk assessment of
all of its facilities and venues used for any club activities, including any
hired facilities to ensure that they are fit for purpose.
6. The following (minimum) qualified coach ratios will
be observed:
6.1 Net coaching – 1 Coach : 8 children
6.2 Group coaching – 1 Coach : 24 children
6.3 Hard call coaching – 1 Coach : 16 children
7. In addition, the Club adopts the safety guidelines of
the ECB (and will adopt any amended ECB guidance) relating to:
7.1 the wearing of cricket helmets by young players
(attachment 1 to this guidance)
7.2 fielding regulations (attachment 2)
7.3 fast bowling directives (attachment 3)
7.4 guidelines for junior players in
open age group cricket (attachment 4)
7.5 guidelines on girls playing in boys age group league
and competitions (attachment 5).
Attachment 1
Guidance on wearing Cricket Helmets by Young Players in
Junior and Adult Cricket
1. Helmets with a faceguard or grille should be worn
when batting against a hard cricket ball in matches and in practice
sessions.
2. All young players should regard a helmet with a faceguard
as a normal item of protective equipment when batting, together with pads,
gloves and, for boys, an abdominal protector (box).
3. Wicket keepers should wear a helmet with a
faceguard or a wicket keeper face protector, together, with gloves, pads
and, for boys, a box
4. Parental consent not to wear a helmet or face guard will not be
accepted in any cricket
Note :
Helmets are widely available and are covered by a British
Standard (BS7928: 1998)
A face protector represents an alternative head protection
system for young wicket keepers. Face protectors are, at the time of
publication of this guidance, a relatively new innovation. Wicket keeper
face protectors are covered by a new British Standard (BS7929 - 2:2002)
June 2013
Attachment 2
Fielding Regulations
1. No young player in the Under 15 age group or younger
shall be allowed to field closer than 8 yards (7.3 metres) from the middle
stump, except behind the wicket on the off side, until the batsman has
played at the ball.
2. For players in the Under 13 age group and below
the distance is 11 yards (10 metres).
3. These minimum distances apply even if the player is
wearing a helmet.
4. Should a young player in these age groups come within
the restricted distance the umpire must stop the game immediately and
instruct the fielder to move back.
5. In addition, any young player in the Under 16 to
Under 18 age groups, who has not reached the age of 18, must wear a helmet
and, for boys, an abdominal protector (box) when fielding within 6 yards
(5.5 metres) of the bat, except behind the wicket on the off side. Players
should wear appropriate protective equipment whenever they are fielding in a
position where they feel at risk.
6. These fielding restrictions are applicable to all
cricket in England and Wales
June 2013
Attachment 3
Fast Bowling Directions : Injury Prevention for Fast Bowlers
1. These rules apply to girls and boys, and any
reference to he/his should be interpreted to include she/her.
2. For the purpose of these rules, a fast bowler is a
bowler to whom a wicket keeper in the same age group would in normal
circumstances stand back to take the ball.
All coaches are urged to identify those players with the
potential to bowl fast and to ensure they follow the Directives in all
cricket throughout the season.
3. These rules cover:
3.1 Overbowling;
3.2 Technique;
3.3 Physical Preparation; and
3.4 Equipment.
4. Overbowling
4.1 Rules for Matches:
AGE: MAX OVERS PER SPELL MAX OVERS PER DAY
Up to 13
5 overs per spell
10 overs per day
U14, U15
6 overs per spell
12 overs per day
U16, U17
7 overs per spell 18 overs per day
U18, U19 7 overs per spell
18 overs per day
4.2 Rules for Practice Sessions:
AGE: MAX BALLS PER SESSION MAX SESSIONS PER DAY
Up to 13 30 balls per session 2 sessions per week
U14, U15 36 balls per session 2 sessions per week
U16, U17 36 balls per session 3 sessions per week
U18, U19 42 balls per session 3 sessions per week
4.3 For guidance, a fast bowler
should not bowl on more than four days any seven day period and on a maximum
of two days in a row
4.4 Having completed a spell the bowler cannot bowl
again, from either end, and until the equivalent number of overs to the length
of his spell have been bowled from the same end. A bowler can change ends
without ending his current spell provided that he bowls the next over that
he legally can from the other end. If this does not happen his spell is
deemed to be concluded. If play is interrupted, for any reason, for less
than 40 minutes any spell in progress at the time of the interruption can be
continued after the interruption up to the maximum number of overs per spell
for the appropriate age group. If the spell is not continued after the
interruption the bowler cannot bowl again, from either end, until the
equivalent number of overs to the length of his spell before the
interruption have been bowled from the same end. If the interruption is of
40 minutes or more, whether scheduled or not, the bowler can commence a new
spell immediately.
4.5 Once a bowler covered by these rules has bowled in a
match he cannot exceed the maximum number overs per day for his age group
even if he subsequently bowls spin. He can exceed the maximum overs per
spell if bowling spin, but cannot then revert to bowling fast until an
equivalent number of overs to the length of his spell have been bowled from
he same end. If he bowls spin without exceeding the maximum number of overs
in a spell, the maximum will apply as soon as he reverts to bowling fast.
4.6 Nets:
4.6.1 Outdoor: The emphasis on all nets should be
quality rather than quantity. These Directives will encourage young fast
bowlers to focus their efforts on shorter, more intensive spells.
Consequently young fast bowlers should be made aware of the importance of
warming up and warming down as part of their preparation.
4.6.2 Indoor: In the period between the end of the
cricket season and Christmas, indoor practise for fast bowlers will be kept
to an ABSOLUTE MINIMUM.
5. Technique:
5.1 It is crucial that bowlers are encouraged to adopt a
safe action early in their development. Bowlers should either have a
SIDE-ON, a FRONT-ON or a ‘MIDWAY/NEUTRAL’ action, but SHOULD NEVER MIX THE
ACTIONS. The mixed actions (of which there are two main types) are a major
cause of back injuries, because they cause an unnecessary spinal twist.
Excessive hyperextension of the back during the delivery stride is also a
contributing factor.
5.2 For further clarification of mixed actions consult
the 'ECB Coaches Manual' or an appropriately qualified cricket coach.
6. Physical Preparation:
6.1 A well structured, cricket specific training
programme is essential to develop and maintain the strength, endurance and
flexibility required for fast bowling. It is one of the most injury-liable
non-contact activities in sport and the need for the fast bowlers to be
amongst the fittest and best prepared players in the team cannot be over
emphasised.
6.2 Bowlers should WARM UP and STRETCH thoroughly before
bowling and training, and should WARM DOWN and STRETCH afterwards. A good
warm up helps to encourage a more professional approach, helps team spirit
and can actually improve performance. It also helps to reduce the chance of
an injury occurring.
7. Equipment:
7.1 Impact forces of up to 8 times body weight can be
experienced during the delivery stride. Without the appropriate footwear,
these forces must be absorbed by the feet, ankles, knees and lower back of
the bowler. It is therefore essential that bowlers minimize these effects by
absorbing them with the use of efficient, well-fitting, cushioned boots or
shoes and if required, absorbent insoles. The use of running shoes,
basketball-type boots or good cross trains is also essential as they are
designed to cope with the types of forces experienced when bowling on hard
surfaces.
June 2013
Attachment 4
Guidelines for Young Players in Open Age Group Cricket
1. Making the step up from junior to adult cricket is a
significant event in any player’s cricket experience. Before allowing a
young player to be selected for a age group cricket, the Club will ensure that
the player’s safety, personal development needs and overall cricket
experience are considered.
2. There is no definitive age at which young players
should be introduced to open age group cricket but the Club determines each case on
an individual basis dependent on their ability and stage of cognitive and
emotional maturity to take part at that level.
3. ECB Fast Bowling Directives and Fielding Regulations
will always be adhered to for junior players in open age group cricket.
4. The Club will provide an opportunity for young
players to show their talents in an appropriate way, including involving
them in different aspects of the game and not just fielding and be
supportive at all times. If possible, a young player should play in an open
age team with a family member or friend. Special rules apply to young
players selected for the County U12 squad. Please refer to the specific ECB
guidance.
5. The Club recognizes it has a duty of care
towards all young players who are representing the Club. The duty of care
should be interpreted in two ways :
Not to place a young player in a position that involves an
unreasonable risk to that young player, taking into account of the
circumstances of the match and the relative skills of the player
Not to create a situation that places members of the
opposing side in a position whereby they cannot play cricket as they would
normally do against adult players
6. Any player in the U13 age group and younger
must have explicit written consent from a parent or guardian before
participating in adult matches. The Club has in place player registration
procedures to ensure that consent is obtained
June 2013
Attachment 5
Guidance on Girls Playing in Boys Age Group Leagues and
Competitions
.
1. The Club has a duty of care to all players, and girls
will be allowed to participate only if the responsible adults are satisfied
that they are competent to do so.
2. Suitable arrangements need to be in place,
particularly relating to changing facilities and transportation
arrangements, if applicable, before a girl may play in boys age group
leagues and competitions.
3. There are specific rules applicable to ECB
national competitions. In local leagues and other competitions it is up to
the league or competition to specify age group requirements
June 2013