The Hook Shot
This is an attacking shot, generally used against a fast bowler when he bowls you a “bouncer”. A bouncer is a very short-pitched delivery that bounces between the batsman's chest and head height. This shot is best played when the line of the ball is around leg stump or just outside.
Front and Side View Images:
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IF THE BALL RISES MORE THAN EXPECTED, GET UP ONTO YOUR TOES (RISE WITH THE BALL) TO PLAY THE SHOT. HANDS AND ARMS SWING HORIZONTALLY THROUGH 360° (A FULL CIRCLE). HIPS TURN THROUGH 180° TO FACE THE OPPOSITE DIRECTION. KEEP THE HEAD STILL THROUGHOUT THE SHOT.
AIM: TO HIT THE BALL BETWEEN SQUARE LEG AND MIDWICKET
NOTE - The hook is played most successfully when you have been at the crease for some time and have played yourself in. To hit a six, just get inside and underneath the ball more and hit upwards more.
View Videos of the Hook Shot
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Video Analysis of the Hook Shot
BACKSWING, AND STEPPING BACK INTO LINE
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.
- Lift hands up behind your back hip pocket
- Create diamond shape with arms
- Leading elbow bent at 90°, pointing down wicket
- Free rear arm from body
- Bottom hand fingers and thumb grip
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2. From initial sideways position, dip head and shoulder towards the ball. Push off front leg and step back and across the crease, with body weight directed towards the cover point. GET HEAD AND BODY INSIDE THE LINE OF THE BALL!
- Backswing remains raised high above off stump
- Head still, eyes level
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3. As leading shoulder begins to open, rear arm tucks into body and bottom hand takes control. Weight now on back foot.
- Back foot points towards mid off
- Get up onto toes
- Head still, eyes level
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EXECUTING THE HOOK SHOT
Think! From a high backswing, hit the ball downwards
4. From top of backswing, SWING bat horizontally across body towards the ball. Pivot on back foot as front leg naturally swings in an arc past back leg.
- Body naturally pivots on back leg
- Chest and hips start opening towards ball
- Toes of front foot resting lightly on the ground
- Forearms horizontal to ground
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5. Strike the ball at arm's length with a dominant BOTTOM HAND and the FULL face of the bat. KEEP HEAD AND BODY INSIDE THE LINE OF THE BALL!
- Keep head still, eyes level
- Rise up onto your toes
- Hit downwards from high backswing
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6. Complete follow-through with hips and chest pointing towards fine leg area. Bat finishes over leading shoulder.
- Leading shoulder finishes behind body
- Bat finishes parallel to ground (swings through 360°)
- Body pivots naturally on back foot
- Head still throughout the shot, eyes level
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NEVER TAKE YOUR EYES OFF THE BALL WHEN HOOKING IT!
