Back Foot Defence
Basic Batting Drill 4 – The Back Foot Defence
Sometimes it is not always possible to get on the front foot to play the ball.
A quick straight delivery that bounces short of a good length will require a different type of defensive shot, we call this the backward defensive shot. Going forward to a delivery like this is dangerous and you will also increase the chance of getting out.  Going back on your crease and meeting the ball at the top of its bounce will help you to be in full control of the shot.  Also, try to meet the ball with ‘soft hands’. This means relaxing your hands on the bat handle, which helps to take the pace off the ball and reduces the chances of getting caught near the wicket. Try and follow the sequence below. The diagrams show you how to play the shot correctly.
Stage 1 - take a step back, stay balanced
- The back foot should move back towards the stumps, but stay inside the line of the ball.
- The weight should be on the ball of the back foot, but the head should remain forward.
