The Back Foot Flick off the Legs

The Back Foot Flick off the Legs

This is a scoring shot played to a short-pitched ball on or just outside the line of leg stump and bouncing between knee and waist height. It is an attacking shot where you use the pace of the ball as well as striking it with a top spin motion created by the bottom hand. Aim to hit half the ball with a glancing blow across the face of the bat. A useful low-risk shot against fast bowlers.

Front View Image:

Get body inside
the line of the ball

Bat face begins
to close towards
the leg side

Toe of bat points
directly upwards
on completion of
the shot (high hands
and leading elbow)

Side View Image:

Dip head and shoulder towards the ball		Body inside line of ball; transfer weight to front foot, let the ball come, strike ball forward of body
Strike ball with top spin motion created by the ARMS
DO NOT HIT ACROSS THE LINE OF THE BALL - KEEP THE BAT STRAIGHT!

AIM: TO HIT THE BALL BETWEEN MID WICKET AND SQUARE LEG

View Videos of
the Back Foot Flick off the Legs

Video Analysis of the Back Foot Flick off the Legs

As the bowler is about to deliver the ball

1. With a dominant top hand and relaxed bottom hand, pick up bat over off stump, open bat face slightly.

Push hands up behind back hip pocket
Create diamond shape with arms
Leading elbow bent at 90°, pointing down the wicket
Free rear arm from body
Bottom hand holds bat with fingers and thumb only

2. From sideways position, dip head and shoulder towards the ball. Push off front leg and step back and across the crease. GET INSIDE THE LINE OF THE BALL.

Maintain raised backswing
Eyes level
Head still, forward of body
Head and shoulder pointing down the wicket

3. Plant back foot pointing towards cover, open leading shoulder slightly and maintain more open body position throughout the shot. (Front leg slides towards back leg, acting as a counterbalance.)

Weight initially on back foot, head over front foot
Stand tall
Head forward of body (eyes level)
Leading shoulder opens, points towards MID ON
Back leg covers middle and off stump

EXECUTING THE BACK FOOT FLICK OFF THE LEGS
Do not try to hit the ball too hard
Think! Let the ball come and stroke it with correct technique

4. From top of backswing, SWING arms and bat face towards mid wicket with arms passing close to body. Transfer weight onto front foot ready to strike.

Arms maintain diamond shape throughout
Keep arms relaxed
Top hand controls initial swing of bat
Bottom hand relaxed fingers and thumb grip

5. Strike NEARSIDE HALF of the ball with a TOP SPIN motion created by the bottom hand, just before it passes the outside of the front pad.

Bottom hand pushes upwards on impact (top spin motion)
Head directly over ball (eyes level)
Hands forward of bat face on impact
Bat face points towards square leg

6. Complete follow-through with hands high ABOVE leading elbow. Toe of bat points directly upwards.

Diamond shape still maintained with arms
Bottom hand fingers and thumb grip
Bottom hand finishes above top hand on completion of shot