Hayes Cricket Club

Fielding Regulations

The ECB has 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.

• For players in the Under 13 age group and below the distance is 11 yards (10 metres).

• These minimum distances apply 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.