1. Under 8s & 9s Explained
IWHCA Competition

2. Game Attributes
The game has been modified to ensure every child has equal opportunity with both bat & ball with the emphasis on participation, enjoyment and to learn basic skills
There are no competition points
There are 8 batsman & fielders
Bowling is from one end
There is no Leg Before Wicket (LBW)
An over consists of six balls regardless of what is bowled
There are four batting pairs
The batsmen gets out, but continues to bat

3. Important Numbers Under 8s Under 9s Boundary radius 30 metres
Pitch Length (stump to stump)
15 metres
18 metres
Innings Length
16 overs
24 overs
Batting pairs bat for
4 overs
6 overs
Max overs for a bowler
2 overs
3 overs
Distance fielder must be away from the batsman (excludes keeper)
10 metres

4. Batsman gets out
The loss of a wicket is recorded on the score sheet as minus three runs from the team score
The batsman change ends upon dismissal

5. Bowling Maximum of two consecutive overs per bowler
Front foot “No balls” don’t apply
The “No Ball” rule in relation to throwing doesn’t apply, however proper bowling should be the top priority of the coach

6. The “Free Hit” Relates to when the ball has been bowled off the pitch
Until the ball has passed the line of the striker’s wicket:
No fieldsman is to field the ball
The fieldsman must remain in their positions until the batsman has taken a swing
Note the batsman has the free hit off the grass. The coach does not put it on a tee
Failure to score a run is a “no ball”

7. Coach/Manager
When Bowling
When Batting
Umpires at the bowlers end when their team is in the field
Can coach on the field (in particular the bowlers)
Keep the fielding side alert & keep the over rate moving along
When their side is batting they umpire at square leg
Can coach the batsmen
Can rotate the batsmen at any time (even between overs)

8. Equipment Stumps: Masking tape or chalk to mark the crease
Rebound plastic with flat metal base or
Spring loaded wooden stumps or
Plastic PVC stumps (like IN2Cricket)
Masking tape or chalk to mark the crease
6 boundary markers each team
Balls
Under 8s – Platypus Softy Junior or per IWHCA
Under 9s – Platypus Plyaball

9. Others The base plate of the stumps is not part of the wicket
If a team is short the opposing team may supply a substitute player who can bat, bowl or field
Once a ball bowled has bounced more than twice the batsman can not be out bowled
Don’t yell out “No ball” just signal, think of the child’s self esteem

10. Focus Tips for the Coach
Under 8s
Under 9s
Bowling over arm on the pitch
Throwing & catching
Batting off a tee
Bowling over arm on the pitch (for better players concentrate bowling in a channel)
Throwing & catching
Batting
Running between wickets
Batting with pads
Under arm or throwing to them