Long Barrier

Fielding Drill 3 – The Long Barrier

The outfield of a cricket ground can often be rough and bumpy which causes lots of misfields.

To prevent this, when fielding the ball from the outfield you use a special technique called the long barrier:

  • The barrier refers to the position of your body behind the ball.
  • Approach the ball and judge the angle of the ball so that you are behind it.

Get your body behind the ball and watch it carefully

  • Bend both knees so the knee of the leg nearest the ball touches the ground and is next to back of the heel of your other leg.
  • This forms the barrier so that, if you miss the ball with your hands it will not go past you.






Be ready to move to a throwing position once the ball is in your hands

  • Make sure you get down and behind the ball, simply bending down can lead to you missing the ball and conceding runs.
  • Keep fingers pointing down and head forward watching the ball into your hands.
  • Stand back up and take the position ready to deliver an overarm throw.






Fielding Drill 4 shows you how to execute an overarm throw.