Cricket · Batting

Back-foot defence and punch

Feeds just short of a length: get back and across to defend, then punch the shorter, wider ball through a cone gate on the off side.

OFF SIDELEG SIDET1BtF1
Start / 5
Time
15 min
Players
3–6
Age
U11+
Area
Net or pitch
Equipment
12 incrediballs or tennis balls1 bat1 stumps1 helmet with faceguard, pads and gloves (hard ball)2 cones

Setup

  1. Stumps at the batting end and a feeder about 12 m away with a bucket of balls.
  2. Place two cones as a gate on the off side, square of the wicket and about 15 m from the batter, with a fielder behind it.
  3. Begin with incrediballs or tennis balls; a batter facing a hard ball wears a helmet with a faceguard, pads, gloves and a box or abdominal guard.

How it runs

  1. The feeder throws one ball at a time so it bounces just short of a length and arrives about waist height.
  2. Ball on the stumps: the batter moves back and across and plays a back-foot defence that drops under the eyes.
  3. Ball short and a little wide: the batter goes back and across and punches it firmly along the ground through the gate.
  4. The fielder stops and returns each punch along the ground to the feeder.
  5. Sets of 12, then rotate batter, feeder and fielder. Count punches that go through the gate on the ground.

Coaching points

  • Back foot moves back and across towards off stump, parallel to the crease, so the body stays in line.
  • Stand tall: get the head on top of the bounce and the eyes level.
  • High front elbow, bat face angled down, and the ball played under the eyes.
  • For the punch, the top hand drives through with a short, firm follow-through; keep it on the ground.
  • Front foot comes back too, so the weight is balanced and not falling away.

Common mistakes

  • Stepping back towards leg stump and opening up the body.
  • Getting stuck on the crease with no back-foot movement.
  • A loose bottom hand that lifts the punch in the air to a catcher at point or cover.
  • Trying to punch a ball that is straight or too full.

Say it: “Back and across, stand tall, under the eyes.”

Make it harder

  • Mix in fuller balls that must be played forward, so the batter has to judge length early.
  • Narrow the gate or add a second fielder at cover.
  • Progress to a bowler in the nets bowling back of a length, within your association's fast bowling guidelines.

Make it easier

  • Use a tennis ball that bounces higher and slower.
  • Start from a back-foot position already set, then add the movement.

Reviewed by the Sportdify coaching team.