Types of cricket shots explained
Batting shots fall into two families. Front-foot shots are played by stepping towards a full ball. Back-foot shots are played by stepping back to a short ball. Modern T20 cricket has added a third group of unorthodox shots.
The key points
- Play forward to full balls and back to short balls.
- Straight-bat shots, like drives, are safest. Cross-bat shots, like pulls and sweeps, carry more risk.
- Where the ball goes depends on timing, the angle of the bat, and where the ball is bowled.
Front-foot shots
| Shot | Played to | Where it goes |
|---|---|---|
| Forward defence | A good-length ball on the stumps | Blocked down near the batter |
| Straight drive | A full ball on the stumps | Back past the bowler |
| Cover drive | A full ball outside off stump | Through the covers |
| On drive | A full ball on middle or leg | Between mid-on and the bowler |
| Flick | A full ball on the pads | Through midwicket or square leg |
| Sweep | A full ball from a spinner | Around square leg |
Back-foot shots
| Shot | Played to | Where it goes |
|---|---|---|
| Backward defence | A short ball on the stumps | Blocked down |
| Cut | A short ball wide of off stump | Square on the off side, through point |
| Pull | A short ball at waist or chest height | Through midwicket or square leg |
| Hook | A bouncer at head height | Behind square on the leg side |
| Back-foot punch | A short-of-length ball | Through the covers or down the ground |
| Leave | A ball outside off stump | The batter lets it pass to the keeper |
Modern and unorthodox shots
- Reverse sweep: a sweep played the opposite way, to the off side.
- Switch hit: the batter changes grip and stance as the bowler runs in, becoming the opposite-handed batter. It is legal.
- Scoop or ramp: the batter lifts the ball over their own shoulder or the keeper's head.
- Helicopter shot: a whippy swing with a big wrist flick, used to hit yorkers for six. It was made famous by MS Dhoni.
- Upper cut: a short, wide ball is steered over the slips or third man.
Which shots are riskiest?
Cross-bat shots, like the pull, hook and sweep, bring the bat across the line of the ball. A mistimed shot can give a top edge or an LBW. Drives in the air are also risky, because a fielder can catch them. Batters build an innings with low-risk shots, then attack once they are set.
Frequently asked questions
What is the most common shot in cricket?
The forward defence and the drive are the most common, because good-length and full balls are bowled most often.
Is the switch hit legal?
Yes. The switch hit is legal under the Laws of Cricket.
What is the difference between a pull and a hook?
Both are played to short balls. A pull is played to a ball around waist or chest height, while a hook is played to a ball at head height.
Who invented the helicopter shot?
The helicopter shot was made famous by India's MS Dhoni, who used it to hit yorkers for six.