How to Play the Front Foot Drive in Cricket

A confident, well-timed and flourishing front foot drive is one of the most elegant shots in cricket. The front foot drive can be played to just over a quarter of the pitch, ranging from the square drive which travels almost perpendicular to the wicket through to the on drive which is straight down the ground on the batsman's leg side. Front foot drives require confidence, a straight bat and an upright stance; perfect these, and you have an excellent scoring stroke to the length delivery.

Instructions

    • 1

      Observe the pitch of the ball by watching the ball as it departs the bowler's hand. Consider how close to you the ball will bounce on the pitch — the length — and where it will land from left to right on the wicket — the line. Play the front foot drive only when the ball is a good or full length — play a back footed shot if the ball is shorter than a good length (see Resources).

    • 2

      Play your front foot drive by stepping with your leading foot inside the line of the ball. Place your foot firmly onto the surface next to where the ball is going to pitch. For example, a right-handed batsman will place his front (left) foot immediately to the left of where the ball is going to bounce.

    • 3

      Bend your front foot's knee slightly as you lean your body forward into the drive shot. Bring the bat along level with the side of your leg pad — there should be no gap left between the inside of your front foot leg pad and the edge of the bat; many batsmen elect to step out with the front foot and bring the bat forwards simultaneously to ensure there is no gap between bat and pad.

    • 4

      Continue to watch the ball all the way onto the face of the bat as you lean your body over the top of the ball. Make sure your head and leading shoulder are over the top of the ball, trying to make your body and bat as straight and upright as possible.

    • 5

      Deliver the bat through the ball, attempting to strike the ball closest to the bat's sweet spot — this is roughly two-thirds from the top of the bat, although this does vary from bat to bat. Swing the bat through the ball, ensuring that you angle the bat face downwards as you connect with the ball if you wish to play the ball along the ground, or angled upwards if you wish to play a lofted drive.

    • 6

      Follow through with the bat in the direction that you wish to play the ball. Aim towards long on, for example, to play an on drive or aim square of the wicket when playing a square drive — in this instance, you must turn your body.