Activity
Straight Line Off-Drive Drill
Skill: Specialised Sports Coaching
Sports: Cricket
Technique: Batting
Class: Class 4
Skill: Specialised Sports Coaching
Sports: Cricket
Technique: Batting
Class: Class 5
Skill: Specialised Sports Coaching
Sports: Cricket
Technique: Batting
Class: Class 6
Skill: Specialised Sports Coaching
Sports: Cricket
Technique: Batting
Class: Class 7
Skill: Specialised Sports Coaching
Sports: Cricket
Technique: Batting
Class: Class 8
Skill: Specialised Sports Coaching
Sports: Cricket
Technique: Batting
Class: Class 9
Skill: Specialised Sports Coaching
Sports: Cricket
Technique: Batting
Class: Class 10
Skill: Specialised Sports Coaching
Sports: Cricket
Technique: Batting
Class: Class 11
Skill: Specialised Sports Coaching
Sports: Cricket
Technique: Batting
Class: Class 12
Skill: Specialised Sports Coaching
Sports: Cricket
Technique: Batting
Straight Line Off-Drive Drill
Learning Outcomes
Use correct front-foot movement toward the line of the ball.
Maintain head over the ball for balance and timing.
Play a straight bat shot through the off side.
Improve timing, placement, and follow-through in the off drive.
Description Of Activity
Students practise stepping forward with the front foot and driving the ball along the ground through the offside using a straight bat. The drill focuses on footwork, head position, and controlled follow-through.
Coach/teacher feeds a gentle full-length ball outside off stump.
Batter makes a big stride forward with the front foot toward the pitch of the ball.
Head is positioned over the ball for balance.
Bat comes through straight, meeting the ball under the eyes.
Follow-through smoothly with the bat pointing toward the target cone.
Ball should travel along the ground through cover or extra cover.
Reset and repeat 810 times.
Variations
Class 3–5 (Beginner)
Use soft balls.
Slow underarm feed.
Focus only on: step → swing → follow-through.
Target gate made using two cones.
Class 6–8 (Intermediate)
Faster throwdowns.
Add “call the direction” (cover, extra cover).
Sequence drill: 1 off-drive → 1 defence → repeat.
Class 9–12 (Advanced)
Mixed-length balls (player decides: drive or leave).
Add a fielder in cover to create challenge.
Use a bowling machine if available.
Score-based drill (points for correct placement and timing).
Coaching Tips
Cricket bat
Tennis ball / soft ball / cricket ball (age-appropriate)
Cones (target gates on off side)
Stumps
Throwdown feeder
Equipment/Material Required
“Big step forward.”
“Head over the ball.”
“Play with a straight bat.”
“Hit along the ground.”
“Point your follow-through at your target.”