Moving out to Drive

This can be executed by using either of these two methods.
1) to hit the ball along the ground.
2) to hit over the the top.

This shot is more commonly played to spin bowlers but can also be effective against medium pace bowlers. Moving out to drive is a pre meditated shot, but if the ball is not in the right place for you to successfully hit, then you can change your mind and defend it. Pre meditated means you have in your head that you are looking to play the shot but you must not move until the ball is released. Tactically you are looking to hit the ball that is given that little bit more flight than the others. This is an improvised shot that is very effective in one day cricket or to disrupt a spinner's length and line.

Front View Image:


THINK! Eyes level, Head Still, Smooth footwork and Tempo of Swing.

Side View Image:

Technically: Do Not Try to hit the ball too hard.
The slower you swing the bat, the longer you will maintain technique and the better you will time the shot.
Adopt a more open body position when hitting the off-spinner and maintain a side ways position when hitting the leg spinner or left armer.
Tactically: Hit with the spin when possible.
The length delivery is the one you need to hit over the top.
The half volley is hit along the ground.
Mentally: Back yourself and believe in your shot selection, stay mentally alert and physically relaxed.

DO NOT HIT ACROSS THE LINE OF THE BALL - KEEP THE BAT STRAIGHT!

View Videos of Moving out to Drive

Straight Drive

Off Drive

Defensive

Six Runs

Video Analysis of Moving out to Drive

As the bowler is about to deliver the ball

1. With a dominant top hand a relaxed bottom hand, pick the bat up over off stump, open bat face slightly.
(As for all other shots)

2. From a sideways position lean towards the line of the ball with your head and shoulder. Dip your head and shoulder as you take an initial long stride in preparation to take a slightly shorter one to ensure your foot arrives at the correct position before striking the ball.

Hands keep going up past back hip pocket
Head in line with ball forward of front foot
Head and shoulder dipped and pointing up the wicket
Off-Spin (adopt slightly more open body position, to be able to hit with spin).
Leg/Left Arm-Spin (maintain a more sideways position to be able to hit with the spin).

Look to play this shot to deliveries which are more or less in line with your head. Where possible maneuver your body to achieve this; especially when the ball is spinning away from the bat.

3. With head and weight over a bent front knee after initial forward stride, smoothly side step towards the ball with slightly flexed knees, by clicking heels together. Keep your head directly over your front foot throughout movement. The backswing continues to go up as you move towards the ball. The downward swing begins just as you transfer your weight on to the front foot before you strike the ball.

Weight on front foot
Head directly above front foot
Inside toe of back foot touching ground
Eyes remain level and head still as you move

To hit along the ground:
Step on to a bent front knee and position your foot to make the delivery into a half volley, get your head over the ball and with the backswing beginning to swing towards the ball, pre pare to hit it along the ground. Let the ball come but strike it slightly forward of the front foot to give you good balance and maximum flow of the arms at the ball.

Make into half volley

To hit over the top:
Step on to a bent front knee and position your foot to make the delivery into a length delivery, get your head over the front foot and with the backswing beginning to swing towards the ball, prepare to hit it over the top for a boundary.

Make into length delivery
(Some players prefer to lean back slightly before striking the ball by collapsing their back leg. This only applies to hitting over the top). Let the ball come but strike it further forward of your foot than you would to hit the ball along the ground.

With hitting the length delivery you need to work harder to maintain and hold the shape of the shot for a second or two after you have hit the ball. This will help you maintain technique.

EXECUTING MOVING OUT TO DRIVE
Try to keep your muscles and posture as loose and relaxed as possible throughout the shot.
Do not try to hit the ball too hard.

4. From the top of the backswing, swing arms and full face of bat towards the line of ball, with forearms passing close to body.

Arms maintain diamond shape thorough
Keep arms relaxed at all times
Top hand controls shot bottom hand guides the bat

5. Strike the ball forward of the front foot, keeping top hand dominant and bottom hand relaxed.

Hands forward of bat face on impact
Bottom hand- holds bat with finger and thumb grip.
Forearms in line with each other as bat swings towards ball
Strike ball with full face of bat
Heel of back foot raised
Eyes still level

6. Complete the follow-through with leading elbow high above hands and close to head. Toe of the bat follows the line of the ball.

Diamond shape still maintained with arms
Looking through hands
Keep back leg straight
Bottom hand still with fingers and thumb grip.
Finish with high hands