Cricket shots explained
Every cricket shot is really an answer to one question: given this length and line, where can the ball go safely? Here are the six that cover almost everything a batsman does, and the length each one is built for.
| Shot | Best against | What it does |
|---|---|---|
| Drive | Full ball | Full face of the bat, through the line, aimed to beat the field |
| Pull | Short ball | Played across the line, sends it square or behind square on the leg side |
| Cut | Short, wide of off stump | A horizontal-bat shot square of the wicket on the off side |
| Loft | Anything you back yourself to clear | The ball leaves the ground — highest reward, highest risk of a catch |
| Push | Full or good length | A soft, safe version of the drive — just enough to find a gap and run |
| Block | Anything you just need to survive | Dead bat, ball dropped at the feet, no run intended |
Why the wrong shot fails
Every one of these shots is a bet on where the ball is going to be. A pull played to a full ball is already too early — the bat has committed to a horizontal swing before the ball has even reached the height it is meant for. A drive played to a short ball is already too late, reaching for a ball that is still rising past the bat. Picking the right shot is picking the right question to ask of the length, before the ball has told you the answer.
Practise each one on its own
The stroke-play challenges restrict you to a single shot for the whole innings — drives only, pulls only, cuts only — so a shot that would normally be one option among six becomes the only tool you have, which is a fast way to learn what it is actually for.
FAQ
- What is the safest cricket shot?
- The block: bat angled down, ball met with soft hands and dropped at the batsman’s feet. It scores nothing, but it is the shot least likely to produce a dismissal, which is why it shows up so often against a good ball.
- What shot is best for a short ball?
- The pull, played across the line to send a short, rising ball square or behind square on the leg side. Play it to a full ball instead and the timing is wrong before the bat even arrives.
- What is the difference between a drive and a push?
- Both are played to a full ball with the full face of the bat. A drive is played with intent, through the line, aimed to beat the field. A push is the same shape played softly, just enough to find a gap and steal a run.
- Why does lofting a shot risk getting out?
- Any shot hit in the air gives a fielder time to run under it before it lands — hang time is what a catch is made of. A shot along the ground only needs to beat the fielders once; a shot in the air has to clear all of them.