Cricket: Defensive Back stroke.

1. The back foot moves back towards the stumps and across towards the line of the ball.

The front shoulder should turn to the off side as the bat is taken back.

2. The bat is brought down and across, making contact with the ball at full arm extension.

Keep the head still and roll the wrists forwards to keep the ball down.

3. Follow through with the shot, leaving the weight on the back foot and the bat finishing over the front shoulder and behind the head.

1. Move both feet back towards the stumps, opening your body out towards the ball, but make sure that you keep your leg stump covered.

Keep your head forward and in line with the ball.

2. Bring the bat through on as straight a path as possible, turning the bat face slightly towards the leg side and making contact with the ball in front of the front pad.

3. Control the shot with the top hand, glancing the ball away.

1. As the backswing begins, the head, shoulders and back foot move back and across.

2. The front leg is moved back and towards the leg side, forming the base for the shot with the head slightly forward.

Keep the hands high and judge by the bounce and line of the ball whether or not to attempt the shot.

3. If you take on the shot then the arms should swing through and be fully extended as contact is made with the ball.

4. The follow through will either see both feet move round and point towards the path of the shot (as illustrated), or see the front leg raised off the ground, with your weight pivoting on the back foot.

1. As your eyes remain fixed on the ball, lead with the front shoulder.

The front foot and a bent front knee form the base for the shot.

2. The head should at least be level or in advance of the front knee, with the backfoot up on the inside of the big toe.

The bat accelerates vertically and contact with the ball is made with the eyes directly above.


3. The bat then accelerates through a straight path, with wrists relaxing to enable the bat to finish over the front shoulder with the face of the bat facing the sky.