Coaching: 8 a side Field Positions

8 a side Field Positions

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Topic: 8 a side Field Positions

Posted By: PistolPete
Subject: 8 a side Field Positions
Date Posted: 16 June 2009 at 2:02am

Hi Guys,

I'm captaining my team this weekend and we play 8 a side T20.

How do you think I should set my field for an average bowler and average batsman?

Please don't answer with 'it depends on the batsman/bowler/score at the time' as I am aware of this. What I would like is a set up for the start of the game for a right handed batsman with the bowler being told to bowl at the off stump!

This is the fielding restriction : A maximum of three fielders on each side of the pitch at all times (ie.3 fielders on offside and three on onside) The wicket keeper has to be within 15 metres of the stumps (i.e. keeper not long stop)

Many thanks!

Replies:

Posted By: micoach
Date Posted: 18 June 2009 at 2:59pm

Not a great deal you can do with 6 fielders who have to be in a 3/3 split! Go for mid on, mid off, midwicket, cover, third man and fine leg as these are the most important positions.

Mid on and mid off are probably first to go back but put fielders where the ball is likely to go. If you are really brave slap in a slip or short midwicket in the first few balls to see what happens.

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Improve your cricket at http://www.pitchvision.com/micoach - miCoach

Posted By: zuhair_abbasi
Date Posted: 20 June 2009 at 7:41am

I sincerely hope there are no 6 over circle restrictions.

I would go for Deep point, sweeper cover and Mid-off.

On the leg side - Long on, Deep mid wicket and fine leg (not that fine). and please ask your bowlers not to bowl length as you cant have the luxury of third man and fine leg.

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http://thecricketinsight.blogspot.com/

Posted By: NZ_Fast
Date Posted: 21 June 2009 at 12:35pm

Originally posted by micoach

Not a great deal you can do with 6 fielders who have to be in a 3/3 split! Go for mid on, mid off, midwicket, cover, third man and fine leg as these are the most important positions.

Mid on and mid off are probably first to go back but put fielders where the ball is likely to go. If you are really brave slap in a slip or short midwicket in the first few balls to see what happens.

I pretty much completely agree. Having played in 8 a side 2020 myself. I can recommend having 3rd man at slip for the first 1-3 overs, before dropping him back to short 3rd man ( and maybe eventually to the boundary). Initially have square leg slightly in front of square, and mid wicket in close, be it silly mid on/off or a close catching cover position.

I know sometimes we got away with no fine leg, instead using the 3rd man quite fine ( think a really, really deep 1st slip) in case of a shot/wide delivery down there.

Posted By: BartronZ
Date Posted: 28 October 2012 at 1:28pm

I captain an 8 a side 20/20 team & this is my usual field setting for a seam/fast bowler;

1. Bowler

2. Wicket Keeper

Off side;

3. Deep third man - fairly fine to cover any edges that get past the keeper or 1/2nd slip if I want to be more attacking

4. Gully, Point or cover point - depending on how fast the bowler is

5. Wide mid off (push him back when batsman is set & hitting big)

Leg side

6. Square leg(push him back when batsman is set & hitting big)

7. Shortish mid wicket(push him back when batsman is set & hitting big)

8. Long on

Many teams I play against put everyone back on the boundary but if you have faith in your bowlers, nothing slows the run rate like wickets. I like to put fielders in the above positions but obviously when a batter is set you need some guys on the fence. If set even with everyone on the fence generally a good batsman will find the gaps or clear the boundary anyway. Even though its 20/20 if you can hold your nerve & have accurate bowlers in your side, keep your fielders in & go for wickets instead of playing too defensive.