The Sweep Shot

The Sweep Shot

This is an attacking shot played to a good length ball on or outside leg stump. It is mainly played against spin bowlers. This shot is generally used on turning wickets when it is more difficult to play the drives. This can be an improvised shot in one day cricket. Good players always sweep on length when improvising.

Front View Image:

Front pad in line with ball	Head still throughout shot	Bottom hand controls shot
GET INTO A LOW POSITION WITH A LONG STRIDE TO THE BALL, WITH YOUR FRONT FOOT FORWARD OF YOUR HEAD POSITION

Side View Image:

Long stride to the ball, front foot further forward than head
Back leg touching the ground		Chest points to leg side on completion of shot
DO NOT TRY TO HIT THE BALL TOO HARD WHEN SWEEPING A BALL TURNING AWAY FROM THE BAT, GET YOUR PAD INSIDE THE LINE OF THE BALL

AIM: AIM TO HIT THE BALL JUST IN FRONT OF SQUARE, OR HELP IT ON ITS WAY BEHIND SQUARE.

View Videos of the Sweep Shot

Video Analysis of the Sweep 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.

Push hands up behind 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

2. From initial sideways position, lean towards the ball with head and shoulders forward of body and back foot still raised above off stump.

Eyes level
Leave hands high up behind back hip pocket

3. Take a long stride down the line of leg stump and get as close to the pitch of the ball as possible. Put your front pad IN LINE with the ball. Bend front knee so your back knee touches the ground.

Head in line with ball, eyes level
Head above front knee
Weight on front foot

EXECUTING THE SWEEP SHOT
Think! Do not try to hit the ball too hard

4. From top of backswing, push your hands and bat towards cover point, and SWING bat out ahead of front pad, horizontally across your front knee.

Swing bat ahead of body
Keep arms relaxed
Bottom hand controls shot, top hand guides

5. Swing bat out ahead of you close to the ground and make contact with the ball at arm's length and directly in line with the front pad. Hit downwards.

Keep head still, eyes level
Arms fully stretched
Bottom hand dominant, top hand guides

6. Complete follow-through with forearms across front pad and rear shoulder pointing down wicket.

Head points down the wicket
Arms fully stretched throughout
Chest finishes pointing at mid wicket

Coaching and Games for the Sweep Shot