The Leg Glance off the Back Foot

The Leg Glance off the Back Foot

This is a scoring shot played to a short-pitched ball on or just outside the line of leg stump and bouncing between waist and chest height. You must use the pace of the ball for this shot. A useful low-risk shot against fast bowlers on bouncy wickets.

Front View Image:

Get body inside
line of the ball

Front leg opens out
slightly and bat face
begins to close
towards the leg side

Toe of bat points up
the wicket on
completion of the shot
(high hands and leading
elbow)

Side View Image:

Dip head and shoulder and take a short stride to the ball
Let the ball come and make contact forward of your body (high elbow)		Strike ball with top spin motion created by the WRISTS
DO NOT HIT ACROSS THE LINE OF THE BALL - KEEP THE BAT STRAIGHT!

AIM: TO LET THE BALL BRUSH ACROSS THE BAT FACE SO YOU CAN STEER IT TOWARDS THE FINE LEG AREA

View Videos of
the Leg Glance off the Back Foot

Video Analysis of the Leg Glance off the Back Foot

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, maintaining backswing. 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 LEG GLANCE
Think! Let the ball come and steer it down towards fine leg with correct technique

4. From top of backswing, PUSH arms and bat face in a direct line towards the ball. Arms pass close to the body and bat face begins to close towards the leg side.

Arms maintain diamond shape throughout
Keep arms relaxed
Top hand dominates initially
Bottom hand relaxed fingers and thumb grip

5. With elbow close to head and high hands, make contact with the ball just before it passes your ribs. Turn hands and bat face towards NEARSIDE HALF of the ball. Bottom hand with fingers and thumb grip steers the ball towards fine leg.

Bottom hand pushes bat face towards square leg
Head inside the line of the ball (eyes level)
Hands forward of bat face on impact
Diamond shape still maintained with arms
Bottom hand finishes above top hand on completion of shot