Directives & Guidance

This section contains information on directives and guidelines issued by the ECB

Safety Guidance on the Wearing of Cricket Helmets by Young Players

(This guidance applies to all players up to the age of 18, both in adult cricket and in all junior cricket played with a hard cricket ball)

• Helmets with a faceguard or grille should be worn when batting against a hard cricket ball in matches and in practice sessions

• Helmets are widely available and are covered by a British Standard (BS7928:1998)

• 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)

• Young wicket keepers should wear a helmet with a faceguard, or a wicketkeeper face protector when standing up to the stumps

• A face protector represents an alternative head protection system for young wicket keepers. Face protectors are a relatively new innovation. Wicketkeeper Face Protectors are covered by a new British Standard (BS 7928 - 2:2009)

• With the assistance of schools, cricket clubs and leagues, the wearing of helmets by young players is now standard practice in cricket throughout England

The Club will ensure this guidance is communicated to the parents or guardians of all young players and that young players are not allowed to bat or stand up to the stumps when keeping wicket against a hard ball without wearing appropriate protection

Fast Bowling Directives

The Fast Bowling Directives are designed to raise awareness of the need to nurture and protect our young fast bowlers through their formative years, and have been welcomed by a significant number of coaches and managers. Research has shown that fast bowlers are by far the most likely players to be missing playing and training time due to injury

Under the new directives, which came into effect at the start of the 2010 season, bowlers at under-17 level are now permitted to bowl an extra over per spell, but those in the under-18 and under-19 category have had the total number of overs they can deliver per day reduced from 21 to 18

Fast bowling directives change for 2010

Fielding regulations

The following are ECB regulations covering the minimum fielding distances for young players in all matches where a hard ball is used

• 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 – even if the player is wearing a helmet

• For players in the Under 13 age group and below the distance is 11 yards (10 metres) - even if the player is wearing a helmet

• 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

• 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

Junior Players in Open Age Cricket (revised guidelines for the 2011 season)

• Making the step up from junior to open age group cricket is a significant event in any player's cricket experience. Ensure the player's safety, personal development needs and overall cricket experience are considered

• There is no definitive age at which a player should be introduced to open age group cricket, but each case is to be determined on an individual basis, depending on the player’s ability and maturity to take part at this level

• ECB Fast Bowling Directives and Fielding Regulations should always be adhered to for junior players in open age group cricket

• Provide an opportunity for players to show their talents in an appropriate way. Children who are just used as fielders will not fully experience the game

Recommendations for junior players playing cricket in the various age groups regarding

• weight or hard ball to use, pitch size and stump height

• type of ball, stumps and pitch for the soft ball game

ECB recommendations for junior cricket (55 KB)

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