Grade rules · 2025/26
Year 7 & 8 Morning Hardball – Grade Rules (2025/26)
Source: Year-7-8-Hardball-Grade-as-at-5th-August-2025.pdf, pages 4–10, tidied for reading (see “Changes from the original”).
Rules: Christchurch Junior Cricket Association (CJCA). Reformatted as coaching notes; see the source PDF for the official wording.
Year 7 & 8 Hardball Format
This grade is for players mainly in Years 7 and 8, but talented Year 6 players can also be included in Year 7. It is split into sections; the number of sections depends on the number of teams entering this grade.
The top grades are called Year 7 & 8 Premier, and they have their own variations. These grades introduce more specific batting, bowling, fielding and wicketkeeping skills, and games can be longer (maximum 8 balls per over) because Premier games start in the afternoon.
Coaches are to make sure that, by the end of each half season, all players have had an equal opportunity to show their skills. Rotation of the batting order is required (see the Batting section). Bowlers should share the overs.
Location
Year 7 and 8 cricket is played at various schools and council grounds, mainly on artificial wickets.
Pitch Length
Year 7 & 8: 18 m (yellow lines on artificial wickets).
Boundaries
We want players to hit 4s and 6s, so it’s important that boundaries are achievable. If ground conditions (e.g. long grass) prevent the ball travelling at a reasonable pace, managers and coaches should consult and agree shorter boundaries. The boundary should be marked with cones, or by a stream, path, another match, or anything else that is dangerous or stops the ball, if that is closer than these guidelines. If this occurs, a four or six is signalled.
Year 7 & 8: 40 m or natural boundaries.
Match Setup
For all grades, there is a 10 m fielding exclusion zone; it does not apply to the wicketkeeper.
Slips and gullies on the off side may be closer than 10 m.
Grading
Within these divisions, especially after Christmas, there may be an opportunity to split again based on teams’ results, so that “like vs like” matches can be played and mismatches minimised.
As these are non-competitive grades, no points are awarded and no ladder is kept, but we still want results entered on the PlayHQ website. They provide useful information for grading and moving teams around. Each team should enter results, either as a team or through their club or school convenor, so that PlayHQ is accurate and can be used to make any grade or section adjustments.
Eligibility
Players are encouraged to play in the year group they are currently in at school. Should players wish to play down because they are new to the game or because of other circumstances, clubs should apply before the start of the season, giving the names of the players, the team they wish to play for, and a brief explanation of why a dispensation is required for each player to play down a grade.
Players may play up a grade, but parents and caregivers must be aware of the risks involved in playing ahead of their current school year. We recommend no more than one grade higher.
Time
These grades start at 9.00 am on Saturday morning, or at 4.30 pm if there is a Friday round. Year 7 and 8 games will be adjusted to a 20/20 format if a Friday or other evening round is used.
Draw
The draw up to Christmas will be confirmed after grading. If the draw changes after it is published, junior club convenors will be informed.
Team Size
Year 7 & 8: 9 a side.
Teams with fewer than 9 players should first ask whether the opposition has additional players to balance the teams. If a team has fewer than 9 players, bowling limits can be extended to 4 overs each.
If a team has fewer than 9 players, one or more players who have already been dismissed may bat a second time to make up the 9 batters. The additional batters are chosen by fewest balls faced. Any batter who has retired returns to bat before the additional batters. Runs scored by the additional batters count towards the final team score.
By mutual agreement, a side with fewer than 9 players may use players from the opposition to help field. Teams are encouraged to make this offer.
If a team has more than 9 players, only 9 may field at any one time. All players can take part by bowling and batting, but the team’s innings ends when the 9th wicket is taken if they are playing a team of 9 (see the next paragraph).
If both teams have additional players (for example, 10 each), by mutual agreement all players can bat, but only 9 may field at a time. All players can take part by bowling. The innings then stops when the 9th wicket is taken, provided both teams are playing with the same number.
Where teams have more than 9 players, the limit on fielders is there to give batters a reasonable opportunity to score runs.
Coaches should make sure all players have an equal opportunity to bat twice or bowl additional overs across the season if necessary. Where possible, opposition players should be asked to field so there are 9 players in the fielding team.
Equipment
Year 7 & 8 Hardball: 142 g leather ball.
Batters should wear full protective equipment, including a helmet in line with the New Zealand Cricket Helmet Policy.
Wicketkeepers should always wear helmets.
Match Length
All games are one innings each; decide who starts with a coin toss or similar.
All grades should change bowling ends only after each block of 5 overs.
Time of Innings
Coaches and managers must keep the game moving so that games are completed in good time. Bowling should be in blocks of 5 overs from the same end before rotating, to keep the game moving. Parents and supporters can be asked to make sure the players are ready to go.
Year 7 & 8 (Morning): 30 overs per side (6-ball maximum). This is a maximum of 180 balls and should be able to be completed by 12.15 pm (3 minutes per over).
Batting
Grace Period
Batters who are dismissed within the first 6 balls they face in their innings are not fully out. Instead, they remain in, and the bowling side receives a bonus 3 runs, added to its batting score. (New) Batters dismissed during their grace period may not return as a retired batter if they reach the retirement limit.
When dismissed within the first 6 balls, the batter should change ends with the non-striker.
Subject to the grace-period rule above, batters bat until they are out or until the end of the over in which they have faced 30 balls (including wides and no-balls), when they must retire. Retired batters can return to bat in the order they retired, once all other batters are out or retired.
Coaches are not allowed to retire batters earlier than these limits unless they are playing with more than 9 players and spreading the innings equally.
Free Hits After No-Balls
If a no-ball is bowled on the first to seventh ball of an over, the next ball is a free hit.
On a free hit, the fielding team must stay in the positions they were in when the delivery was made. Minor changes to field placings may be made if left- and right-handed batters have changed ends.
The only way a batter can be out on a free hit is run out. To be run out, the batter must be attempting a run (or have started to and changed their mind); simply being out of the crease, or being stumped, is not a dismissal on a free hit.
If a batter hits a free-hit delivery that is a no-ball, they score 1 run plus any runs from the shot, and the next ball is still a free hit. If the batter leaves or misses a delivery that is called a no-ball, they score 1 run for the no-ball and the next ball is a free hit.
If a batter hits a delivery that would have been a wide, it becomes a normal delivery: they score only the runs made from the shot and can be out in all the normal ways. If the batter leaves or misses a wide, they score 1 run for the wide plus any runs they take, and they could score more from the next ball, which is still a free hit.
If a wide or a no-ball is bowled on the 8th ball of an over, 2 runs are scored, as no free hit can be given (the maximum number of deliveries in an over is 8).
Last Batter Standing
A single remaining not-out batter keeps batting, changing ends as needed to take the strike. Only the not-out batter can face the bowling. The last batter out stays at the crease as a non-striker. Either batter may be run out to end the innings.
Dismissals
Players can be out bowled, caught, stumped, hit wicket or run out, and can be given out LBW if the following applies.
LBW in Morning Year 7 & 8 Cricket
LBW is to be applied in this grade. LBWs may only be given when the bowling team appeals, and only if all of these apply:
- the ball is pitched in line with the stumps
- the ball hits the batter on the pads in front of the stumps, before hitting the bat
- the ball was definitely going to hit the stumps
- the batter has gone onto the back foot and stayed on the back foot.
This means the batter cannot be given out if the ball is pitched outside the line of the stumps (leg or off side), or if they have played forward – even if they are hit on the back pad or foot. Although an LBW can be given under these rules, the intention is that it is only awarded when there is no doubt whatsoever in the umpire’s mind that the above conditions applied.
Any doubt – not out.
Fielding
Catches and Stumpings
Catches should be recorded against the player who took the catch, in a column of the new scoresheets or on PlayHQ.
Run-Outs
To capture everyone involved in run-outs, those involved should be noted on the scoresheet or in PlayHQ.
Byes and Overthrows
Byes and overthrows are unlimited in Year 7 & 8 cricket.
Bowling
- Maximum 5 overs per bowler. Coaches are to make sure all team members bowl the same number of overs during the season, allowing for availability.
- No bowler may bowl a 4th over until all others have bowled 3.
- 5 overs are bowled from the same end to speed up the innings. No bowler can bowl successive overs.
Over Length Morning Grades
- Overs are a maximum of 6 balls, except the last over, which must be 6 legitimate deliveries.
No-Balls and Wides
A Wide Ball Will Be Called If
A wide will be called if:
- the ball passes the batter so wide that they have no reasonable opportunity to make contact with it (full wides on the off side, and halfway to that on the leg side, should be the guide)
- the ball passes halfway towards the leg side and is not hit by the batter.
Coaches and umpires should meet before the game to agree on a standard to apply in the game.
A ball is not a wide if it is hit by, or hits, the batter. When “wide” is called, the ball stays live (batters can run).
The batting side is awarded 1 run for each wide or no-ball, plus any additional runs scored. However, in the last over, 6 legitimate deliveries must be bowled.
No extra balls are bowled for wides or no-balls in Year 7 & 8 Morning grades. Up to 8 balls can be bowled in each over only in Year 7 & 8 Premier afternoon cricket, except in the last over, which should be 6 legitimate balls in both morning and afternoon grades.
A No-Ball Will Be Called If
A no-ball will be called if:
- the ball bounces two or more times, or rolls, before reaching the batter’s popping crease (bowlers can bowl from a shorter distance if needed)
- the delivery would have passed above the waist on the full, at a normal batting stance
- the delivery would have passed above the shoulder after bouncing, at a normal batting stance
- any fielder (other than the bowler) encroaches into the fielding exclusion zone before the ball is hit.
Bowling, Not Throwing
Bowlers must be coached to bowl with a straight arm and avoid throwing the ball. Those who find this difficult should bowl from a standing, side-on position, starting with a straight arm against their back leg, and aim to release the ball at the 12 o’clock position. There is no penalty for a thrown delivery in this grade.
We don’t want a bowler to gain an unfair advantage by using an obviously incorrect action. So if a wicket is taken, or a batter seems to be intimidated, the umpire should act; for example, a batter should not be given out off an obvious throw.
Ideally, a word with the opposition coach or umpire will be enough for them to speak to the bowler as soon as the action is noticed.
We don’t want to discourage bowlers from practising in a match, but we also need to protect batters.
In the extreme, a no-ball can be called if an obvious throw results in a wicket being taken.
Scoring
Scoring should be done by a parent or supporter from each team. The grades are non-competitive, so scoring is used only for grading and making sure competition is appropriate. Take care when announcing who has won or has more runs.
Score sheets are available from the CJCA website: https://www.cjca.org.nz/about-us/resources-2/grade-rules-2/
- Each team’s score starts at zero.
- 3 runs are added to the bowling side for each dismissal obtained.
- No extra runs are scored for wides or no-balls, other than the runs from hitting off the cone.
Scoring on PlayHQ
Ideally, scoring for Year 7 & 8 games should be done on PlayHQ. Club or school convenors can give access to the PlayHQ e-scoring system.
For full information on PlayHQ, see the PlayHQ information page (New Zealand Cricket).
Appendix 1 – Pitch Map
Key: the dotted area is the fielder exclusion zone, reaching 10 m from the batter in front of and to each side of the wicket. The stars show that slips and gullies are permitted backward of the wicket.
Appendix 2 – Scoresheets
Key: each batter’s row starts with 6 shaded Grace Period boxes (their first 6 balls), then the runs grid. Wickets taken in the grace period are totalled as bonus wickets and added to the bowling team’s extras at 3 runs per wicket. In the bowling grid, the 7th and 8th ball boxes of each over are marked with a diagonal line. The extras symbols are a cross for wides, an upward triangle for byes, a downward triangle for leg byes and a circle for no-balls. The 1–210 tally tracks the team total, and the left-hand column records the score at the end of each of the 30 overs.
Changes from the original
This copy is tidied for reading. No numbers, limits or rule meanings were changed. To see the CJCA text exactly as published, switch Wording to As published in Settings.
Reorganised
- The wide bullet and sentences are regrouped: the two wide conditions (passing too wide; passing halfway towards the leg side and not hit) form one list, followed by the plain sentences on agreeing a standard, when a ball is not a wide, runs for extras, the last over and extra balls.
- “ANY doubt – not out.” at the end of LBW condition 4 is now a bold line of its own after the LBW conditions.
- The highlight on the extra-balls sentence in No-Balls and Wides began mid-sentence, between “no” and “balls in Year 7 & 8 Morning grades”; it now covers the whole sentence.
Added
- A text key under the pitch map and under the scoresheet.
- An editor’s note under Bowling (“Maximum 5 overs” vs the 4-over limit in Team Size) and, under Scoring, on the 3-run bonus and the “hitting off the cone” line.
- The editor’s note under Free Hits After No-Balls now also says that the last over can have extra balls.
Removed
- “(See graphics below)” after the leg-side wide bullet: no wide graphics follow in the document.
Wording smoothed (meaning unchanged)
- Format: “talented Year 6 players can also be included into Year 7” → “…included in Year 7”; “It is split into various sections, the number of which will be determined by the number of teams entering this grade” → “It is split into sections; the number of sections depends on the number of teams entering this grade”; “The grades provides an introduction to more specific cricket skills associated with batting, bowling, fielding and wicket keeping techniques” → “These grades introduce more specific batting, bowling, fielding and wicketkeeping skills”; “as stipulated in the batting section and bowlers should share the overs” → “(see the Batting section). Bowlers should share the overs.”
- Match Setup: “a 10-metre fielding exclusion zone exists, this excludes the wicket keeper” → “there is a 10 m fielding exclusion zone; it does not apply to the wicketkeeper”.
- Grading: “no points are awarded, or ladder given but we do still want results entered onto the PlayHQ website” → “no points are awarded and no ladder is kept, but we still want results entered on the PlayHQ website”; “vai” → “through”; “can be sued to make” → “can be used to make”.
- Eligibility: “detailing the name of the players which team they wish to play for a brief explanation” → “giving the names of the players, the team they wish to play for, and a brief explanation”.
- Time: “start at either 9.00am on a Saturday morning or if there is a Friday round, then it will be a 4.30pm start” → “start at 9.00 am on Saturday morning, or at 4.30 pm if there is a Friday round”; “if a Friday or other evening round be utilised” → “…is used”.
- Draw: “Draws will be confirmed until Christmas following grading. If there are changes to draws after they are published Junior Club Convenors will be informed” → “The draw up to Christmas will be confirmed after grading. If the draw changes after it is published, junior club convenors will be informed”.
- Team Size: “should first enquire if the opposition has additional players” → “should first ask whether…”; “Should teams have less than 9 players bowling limits can be extended” → “If a team has fewer than 9 players, bowling limits can be extended”; “may utilise players from the opposition team” → “may use players from the opposition”; “the team score concludes when the 9th wicket is taken, if playing a team with 9 (see next bullet)” → “the team’s innings ends when the 9th wicket is taken if they are playing a team of 9 (see the next paragraph)”; “the restriction on fielding number is to ensure the batters have a reasonable opportunity” → “the limit on fielders is there to give batters a reasonable opportunity”; “to ensure there are 9 players” → “so there are 9 players”.
- Match Length: “All games are one innings each and should be decided who starts with a coin toss, or similar” → “All games are one innings each; decide who starts with a coin toss or similar”; “should only change bowling ends after each 5 over block” → “should change bowling ends only after each block of 5 overs”.
- Time of Innings: “to ensure games are completed in a timely manner” → “so that games are completed in good time”; “Bowling should happen in 5 over blocks from the same end before rotating to keep the game moving” → “Bowling should be in blocks of 5 overs from the same end before rotating, to keep the game moving”; “Parents / supporters can be tasked with ensuring the players are ready to go” → “Parents and supporters can be asked to make sure the players are ready to go”; “30 overs per side (6 ball maximum) – this is a maximum of 180 balls and should be able to be completed by 12.15” → “30 overs per side (6-ball maximum). This is a maximum of 180 balls and should be able to be completed by 12.15 pm”.
- Grace Period: “will not be fully out instead they shall remain ‘IN’ and the bowling side shall receive a bonus 3 runs to be added to their batting score” → “are not fully out. Instead, they remain in, and the bowling side receives a bonus 3 runs, added to its batting score”; “Players dismissed with the ‘Grace Period’” → “Batters dismissed during their grace period”.
- Retirement: “Taking into account the above rule Players bat until they are ‘Out’ or until the end of the over in which they have faced 30 balls (INCLUDING wides and no balls) when they must retire” → “Subject to the grace-period rule above, batters bat until they are out or until the end of the over in which they have faced 30 balls (including wides and no-balls), when they must retire”; “in the order that they retired and once all other batters have been ‘Out’ or retired” → “in the order they retired, once all other batters are out or retired”; “earlier than these delivery limits” → “earlier than these limits”.
- Free hits: “If a NO BALL is bowled in the first to SEVENTH ball” → “If a no-ball is bowled on the first to seventh ball”; “at the moment the delivery was made” → “when the delivery was made”; “To be run out you must be attempting a run, or started to and changed your mind, simply being out of your crease and being ‘stumped’ does not apply as a dismissal on a free hit” → “To be run out, the batter must be attempting a run (or have started to and changed their mind); simply being out of the crease, or being stumped, is not a dismissal on a free hit”; “The next ball remains a FREE HIT BALL” → “the next ball is still a free hit”; “Where a wide or a no ball is bowled on the 8th ball of an over, 2 runs will be scored as no ‘Free Hit’ can be given as the maximum deliveries in an over are 8” → “If a wide or a no-ball is bowled on the 8th ball of an over, 2 runs are scored, as no free hit can be given (the maximum number of deliveries in an over is 8)”.
- Last Batter Standing: “should continue batting, changing ends as necessary to receive strike” → “keeps batting, changing ends as needed to take the strike”; “remains at the crease to play like a non-striker” → “stays at the crease as a non-striker”.
- Dismissals and LBW: “and given out LBW if the following applies” → “and can be given out LBW if the following applies”; “LBW to be applied in this grade LBWs may only be given…” → “LBW is to be applied in this grade. LBWs may only be given…”; the four LBW conditions joined by “AND” → “only if all of these apply”, with “the ball” repeated in each condition; “the intention for it only to be awarded when there was no doubt” → “the intention is that it is only awarded when there is no doubt”.
- Catches: “in a column of the new scoresheets” → “, in a column of the new scoresheets”.
- Run Outs: “In order to capture those involved in Run Outs – those involved should be noted…” → “To capture everyone involved in run-outs, those involved should be noted…”.
- Bowling: “Max 5 overs” → “Maximum 5 overs”; “on an equivalent availability basis” → “allowing for availability”; “5 overs bowled at the same end” → “5 overs are bowled from the same end”.
- Over length: “Overs to be a maximum of 6 balls” → “Overs are a maximum of 6 balls”.
- Wides: “Any ball that passes a batsman so wide that they are prevented from a reasonable opportunity to make contact with the ball is to be called a wide” → “the ball passes the batter so wide that they have no reasonable opportunity to make contact with it”; “agree on a stand to be applied” → “agree on a standard to apply”; “Upon the call of ‘wide’ the ball shall remain live (i.e. batsmen can run)” → “When ‘wide’ is called, the ball stays live (batters can run)”; “No extra balls are bowled for wides or no balls in Year 7 & 8 Morning grades – up to 8 balls…” → “…Morning grades. Up to 8 balls…”.
- No-balls: “bounces TWO or more times or rolls on the pitch” → “bounces two or more times, or rolls,”; “passed over the waist / shoulder” → “passed above the waist / shoulder”; “If players (not the bowler) encroach” → “any fielder (other than the bowler) encroaches”.
- Bowling, Not Throwing: “achieve ‘an unfair advantage’” → “gain an unfair advantage”; “i.e. a batter should not be given out from an obvious thrown ball” → “for example, a batter should not be given out off an obvious throw”; “sufficient for them to have a word with the bowler” → “enough for them to speak to the bowler”.
- Scoring: “the grades are non-competitive, so scoring is only used for grading and ensuring appropriate competition. Therefore, care should be taken about announcing who has won or has more runs etc” → “The grades are non-competitive, so scoring is used only for grading and making sure competition is appropriate. Take care when announcing who has won or has more runs.”; “No extra runs scored for wides or no balls other than the runs obtained from…” → “No extra runs are scored for wides or no-balls, other than the runs from…”.
- Scoring on PlayHQ: “Year 7 & 8 game” → “Year 7 & 8 games”; “access to the PlayHQ E-scoring system can be gained from Club or School Convenors” → “Club or school convenors can give access to the PlayHQ e-scoring system”.
Spelling, terms and style
- “warn” → “worn” (now “Batters should wear…”); “wicket keeper” and “Wicket keepers” → “wicketkeeper(s)”; “4 and 6’s” → “4s and 6s”; “it important” → “it’s important”; “practicing” → “practising”; “inline with” → “in line with”; “CRIKCET” → “cricket”.
- “No Ball” / “no ball” → “no-ball”; “Run Outs” → “run-outs”; “Free Hit” → “free hit”; “batsman” / “batsmen” → “batter(s)”; “NONSTRIKER” → “non-striker”; “less than 9 players” → “fewer than 9 players”; “least number of balls faced” → “fewest balls faced”; “offside” / “legside” → “off side” / “leg side”.
Capitals and emphasis
- Words in capitals (for example “WHEN DISMISSED WITHIN THE FIRST 6 BALLS…”, “INCLUDING”, “NOT”, “ALL”, “ALWAYS”, “MUST”, “TWO”, “SEVENTH”, “NOT OUT”, “UP”, “DOWN”, “ONLY IN YEAR 7 and 8 PREMIER AFTERNOON CRIKCET”) changed to sentence case, with bold for emphasis.
Punctuation, units and spacing
- Appendix headings numbered: “Appendix One” → “Appendix 1”, “Appendix Two” → “Appendix 2”.
- Units written as 18 m, 40 m, 10 m and 142 g; times as 9.00 am, 4.30 pm and 12.15 pm; “6 ball maximum” → “6-ball maximum”.
- Headings in title case without trailing colons (“Location:” → “Location”, “Pitch Length:” → “Pitch Length”, “Boundaries:” → “Boundaries”, “Match Setup:” → “Match Setup”, “Grading:” → “Grading”, “Eligibility:” → “Eligibility”, “Time:” → “Time”, “Draw:” → “Draw”, “Team Size:” → “Team Size”, “Equipment:” → “Equipment”); “Free Hits after No Balls” → “Free Hits After No-Balls”; “Run Outs” → “Run-Outs”; “Byes / Overthrows” → “Byes and Overthrows”; “No balls and Wides” → “No-Balls and Wides”; “A ‘Wide’ Ball will be called if” → “A Wide Ball Will Be Called If”; “A ‘No Ball’ will be called if ...” → “A No-Ball Will Be Called If”; “Bowling not Throwing” → “Bowling, Not Throwing”.
- “CLICK HERE” links and the bare PlayHQ address now name the page they open.
- Missing full stops and the missing closing bracket (“…from a shorter distance if needed”) added.
Grade rules · 2025/26
Year 7 & 8 Morning Hardball – Grade Rules (2025/26)
Source: Year-7-8-Hardball-Grade-as-at-5th-August-2025.pdf, pages 3–10 (table of contents onward; the pitch map and scoresheet are included as images).
Rules: Christchurch Junior Cricket Association (CJCA). Reformatted as coaching notes; see the source PDF for the official wording.
Original table of contents
- CONTACTS
- CJCA AIMS
- GENERAL CJCA PLAYING CONDITIONS
- Health and Safety
- Pre-Match inspection:
- Reporting:
- First Aid:
- Exclusion Zones:
- Eligibility:
- Dress:
- Gear:
- Defaults:
- Year 7 & 8 Hardball Format
- Location:
- Pitch Length:
- Boundaries:
- Match Setup:
- Grading:
- Eligibility:
- Time:
- Draw:
- Team Size:
- Equipment:
- Match Length
- Time of Innings
- Batting
- Grace Period
- Free Hits after No Balls
- Last Batter Standing
- Dismissals
- LBW in Morning Year 7 & 8 Cricket
- LBW in Year 7 Premier (Afternoon) Cricket
- LBW in Year 8 Premier (Afternoon) Cricket
- Fielding
- Catches and Stumpings
- Run Outs
- Byes / Overthrows
- Bowling
- Over Length Morning Grades
- Over Length Afternoon Grades
- No balls and Wides
- A “Wide” Ball will be called if
- A “No Ball” will be called if ...
- Bowling not Throwing
- Scoring
- Appendix One – Pitch Map
- Appendix Two – Scoresheets
Year 7 & 8 Hardball Format
This grade is for players primarily in Year 7 & 8 but talented Year 6 players can also be included into Year 7. It is split into various sections, the number of which will be determined by the number of teams entering this grade.
The top grades are called Year 7 & 8 Premier and they have their own variations. The grades provides an introduction to more specific cricket skills associated with batting, bowling, fielding and wicket keeping techniques and games can be longer (8 ball maximum per over) due to the Premier games starting in the afternoon.
Coaches are to ensure that by the end of each half season all players have had an equal opportunity to display their skills. Rotation of the batting order is required, as stipulated in the batting section and bowlers should share the overs.
Location:
Year 7 & 8 cricket is played at various schools and council grounds, mainly on artificial wickets.
Pitch Length:
Year 7 & 8: 18 metres (yellow lines on artificial wickets)
Boundaries:
We want players to get 4 and 6’s so it important that boundaries are achievable for players, should ground conditions i.e. grass length prevent balls travelling at a reasonable pace then managers/coaches should consult and agree to shortened boundary sizes. The boundary should be marked with cones, or a stream, path, another match, anything that is dangerous or stops the forward momentum of the ball that may be closer than these guidelines. If this occurs a four or six is signalled.
Year 7 & 8: 40 metres or natural boundaries
Match Setup:
For all grades, a 10-metre fielding exclusion zone exists, this excludes the wicket keeper.
Slips and Gullies on the offside may be closer than 10 metres.
Grading:
Within these divisions, especially after Christmas there may be an opportunity to split again based on the results of teams so “like vs like” matches can be played, and mismatches minimised.
As these are non-competitive grades, no points are awarded, or ladder given but we do still want results entered onto the PlayHQ website. These provide useful information for grading and moving teams around. Each team should enter results either as team or vai their Club/School Convenor so that PlayHQ is accurate and can be sued to make any grade/section adjustments.
Eligibility:
Players are encouraged to play in the year group they are currently in at school. Should players wish to play down due to being new to the game or other circumstances, Clubs should apply prior to the start of the season detailing the name of the players which team they wish to play for a brief explanation of why a dispensation is required for the player to play DOWN a grade.
Players may play UP a grade, but parents/caregivers must be aware of the risks involved in playing ahead of their current school year. We recommend no more than one grade higher.
Time:
These grades start at either 9.00am on a Saturday morning or if there is a Friday round, then it will be a 4.30pm start. Year 7 and 8 games will be adjusted to a 20/20 format if a Friday or other evening round be utilised.
Draw:
Draws will be confirmed until Christmas following grading. If there are changes to draws after they are published Junior Club Convenors will be informed.
Team Size:
Year 7 & 8: 9 a side
Teams with less than 9 players should first enquire if the opposition has additional players to balance the teams. Should teams have less than 9 players bowling limits can be extended to 4 overs each.
If a team has less than 9 players, one or more player(s) who have already been dismissed may bat a second time to make up the 9 batters. The additional batter(s) are selected by the least number of balls faced. Any batter who is retired returns to bat before the additional batters. The runs scored by the additional batters count towards the final team score.
By mutual agreement, a side with less than 9 players may utilise players from the opposition team to help field. Teams are encouraged to make this offer.
If a team has more than 9 players, only 9 may field at any one time. All players can participate by bowling and batting but the team score concludes when the 9th wicket is taken, if playing a team with 9 (see next bullet).
If both teams have additional players, e.g. each has 10 players, by mutual agreement all players can bat but only 9 players may field at a given time. All players can participate by bowling. The innings then stops when the 9th wicket is taken, provided both teams are playing with the same number.
Where teams have more than 9 players the restriction on fielding number is to ensure the batters have a reasonable opportunity to score runs.
Coaches should look to ensure all players have an equal opportunity to bat twice or bowl additional overs throughout the season if necessary. Where possible opposition players should be asked to field to ensure there are 9 players in the fielding team.
Equipment:
Year 7 & 8 Hardball: 142g Leather ball
Full Protective equipment should be warn by batter including a Helmet inline with the New Zealand Cricket Helmet Policy CLICK HERE
Wicket keepers should ALWAYS wear Helmets
Match Length
All games are one innings each and should be decided who starts with a coin toss, or similar.
All grades should only change bowling ends after each 5 over block.
Time of Innings
Coaches and managers must keep the game moving to ensure games are completed in a timely manner. Bowling should happen in 5 over blocks from the same end before rotating to keep the game moving. Parents / supporters can be tasked with ensuring the players are ready to go.
Year 7 & 8 (Morning): 30 overs per side (6 ball maximum) – this is a maximum of 180 balls and should be able to be completed by 12.15 (3 minutes per over)
Batting
Grace Period
Batters who are dismissed within the first 6 balls they face in their innings will not be fully out instead they shall remain “IN” and the bowling side shall receive a bonus 3 runs to be added to their batting score. (New) Players dismissed with the “Grace Period” may not return as a retired batter if they reach the retirement limit.
WHEN DISMISSED WITHIN THE FIRST 6 BALLS THE BATTER SHOULD CHANGE ENDS WITH THE NONSTRIKER
Taking into account the above rule Players bat until they are 'Out' or until the end of the over in which they have faced 30 balls (INCLUDING wides and no balls) when they must retire. Retired batsman can return to bat, in the order that they retired and once all other batters have been 'Out' or retired.
Coaches are NOT allowed to retire batters earlier than these delivery limits unless they are playing with more than 9 players and spreading the innings equally.
Free Hits after No Balls
If a NO BALL is bowled in the first to SEVENTH ball of an over, the next ball is a 'Free Hit'.
In the case of a ‘Free Hit’, the fielding team must stay in the positions they were in at the moment the delivery was made. Minor changes to the field placements may be made when Left/Right handed batters have changed ends.
The only way a batter can be out from a 'Free Hit' is Run Out. To be run out you must be attempting a run, or started to and changed your mind, simply being out of your crease and being 'stumped' does not apply as a dismissal on a free hit.
If a batter hits a Free Hit delivery that is a no ball, they score 1 run plus whatever runs are scored from the shot. The next ball remains a FREE HIT BALL. If the batter decides to leave or misses a delivery that is deemed a no ball, they score 1 run for the no ball and the next ball is a 'Free Hit'.
If a batter hits a delivery that would have been a wide then it becomes a 'normal' delivery and they only score runs made from that shot and may be out in all the normal ways. If the batter decides to leave or misses a wide delivery, they score 1 run for the wide plus any they may run and they could score more from the next ball which remains a free hit.
Where a wide or a no ball is bowled on the 8th ball of an over, 2 runs will be scored as no 'Free Hit' can be given as the maximum deliveries in an over are 8.
Last Batter Standing
A single remaining NOT OUT batter should continue batting, changing ends as necessary to receive strike. Only the not out batter can face the bowling. The last batter out remains at the crease to play like a non-striker. Either batter may be run out to end the innings
Dismissals
Players can be bowled, caught, stumped, hit wicket and run out and given out LBW if the following applies
LBW in Morning Year 7 & 8 Cricket
LBW to be applied in this grade LBWs may only be given when the bowling team appeals and if the ball;
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is pitched in line with the stumps AND
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hits the batter on the pads in front of the stumps, before hitting the bat AND
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the ball was definitely going to hit the stumps AND
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the player has gone onto the back foot and stayed on the back foot. This means the player cannot be given out if the ball is pitched outside the line of the stumps (leg or off side) OR has played forward - even if the player is hit on the back pad or foot. Whilst an LBW can be given under these rules, the intention for it only to be awarded when there was no doubt whatsoever in the umpire’s mind that the above conditions applied. ANY doubt – not out.
Fielding
Catches and Stumpings
Catches should be recorded against the player who took the catch in a column of the new scoresheets or on PlayHQ.
Run Outs
In order to capture those involved in Run Outs – those involved should be noted on the Scoresheet or in PlayHQ
Byes / Overthrows
Byes and overthrows are unlimited in Year 7 & 8 cricket
Bowling
- Max 5 overs per bowler. Coaches are to ensure that all team members bowl the same number of overs during the season - on an equivalent availability basis.
- No bowler may bowl a 4th over until ALL others have bowled 3
- 5 overs bowled at the same end to speed up the innings. No bowler can bowl successive overs.
Over Length Morning Grades
- Overs to be a maximum of 6 balls except the last over which must be 6 legitimate deliveries.
No balls and Wides
A “Wide” Ball will be called if
Any ball that passes a batsman so wide that they are prevented from a reasonable opportunity to make contact with the ball is to be called a wide.
Full wides on the offside and halfway to that on the legside should be the guide.
Coaches/Umpires should meet before the game to agree on a stand to be applied in the game.
If the ball is struck by or hits the batter then it is not a wide. The batting side is awarded 1 run for each wide or no ball, plus any additional runs scored. However, in the last over, 6 legitimate deliveries must be bowled. Upon the call of “wide” the ball shall remain live (i.e. batsmen can run). No extra balls are bowled for wides or no balls in Year 7 & 8 Morning grades – up to 8 balls can be bowled in each over ONLY IN YEAR 7 and 8 PREMIER AFTERNOON CRIKCET, except in the last over which should be 6 legitimate balls in both morning and afternoon grades
- Any ball passing halfway towards the legside and is not hit by the batter should also be called wide. (See graphics below)
A “No Ball” will be called if ...
- The ball bounces TWO or more times or rolls on the pitch before reaching the batters popping crease. (Bowlers can bowl from a shorter distance if needed
- The delivery would have passed over the waist on the full at normal batting stance.
- If the delivery would have passed over the shoulder after it bounces at normal batting stance.
- If players (not the bowler) encroach into the fielding exclusion zone before the ball is hit.
Bowling not Throwing
Bowlers MUST be coached to bowl with a straight arm and avoid ‘throwing’ the ball. Those that find this difficult should bowl from a standing, side on position, starting with a straight arm against their back leg and aim to release the ball at the 12 o’clock position. There is no penalty for a thrown delivery at this grade.
We do not want a bowler to achieve ‘an unfair advantage’ by using an obviously incorrect action, so if a wicket is gained or it is felt that a batter is being intimidated then the umpire should take action. i.e. a batter should not be given out from an obvious thrown ball.
Ideally a word with the opposition coach/umpire will be sufficient for them to have a word with the bowler as soon as the action is noticed.
We do not want to discourage bowlers from practicing in a match but also need to protect batters.
In the extreme, a no ball can be called, if an obvious thrown delivery results in a wicket being taken.
Scoring
Scoring should be done by a parent/supporter from each team, the grades are non-competitive, so scoring is only used for grading and ensuring appropriate competition. Therefore, care should be taken about announcing who has won or has more runs etc
Score sheets are available from the CJCA website
https://www.cjca.org.nz/about-us/resources-2/grade-rules-2/
- Each team’s score starts at Zero.
- 3 runs are added to the bowling side for each dismissal obtained.
- No extra runs scored for wides or no balls other than the runs obtained from hitting off the cone.
Scoring on PlayHQ
Ideally Scoring for Year 7 & 8 game should be done on PlayHQ – access to the PlayHQ E-scoring system can be gained from Club or School Convenors.
For full information on PlayHQ please follow this link