Backlift Direction (Straight vs Lateral Backlift)
Also known as: lateral backlift, backlift towards gully, backlift towards slips, backlift pointing at the slips
Lifting the bat towards the slips or gully is not automatically wrong. Many top batters take the bat up that way and loop it down straight. What matters is that the bat comes down through the line of the ball with the face pointing where you want to hit. Research has found this lateral pattern is common among international batters.
Traditional coaching teaches a straight lift, with the bat taken straight back over the stumps. In a lateral lift the bat goes up and out towards the slips or gully. It then loops back in on the way down. Studies by Noorbhai and Noakes found the lateral pattern more often in international batters than in semi-pro and domestic players. The studies show an association, not proof that the direction of the lift causes success.
Height is a separate choice from direction. A high lift gives more time to build bat speed, and many hitters use one. A compact, lower lift is quicker to bring down. Some batters use it against genuine pace or late swing. Neither is right for everyone. The test is timing. The bat should be ready to come down as the ball pitches and arrive on time without a rush.
Problems show up on the downswing, not on the way up. A lateral lift that stays wide on the way down comes across the line. It drags the ball to leg or slices it. A straight lift that starts late leaves you jabbing at the ball. Film from front-on and side-on. Check that the face is coming down through the line at contact. If it is, the direction of your lift is a style choice.
Tips by skill level
Do not worry about which way your bat goes up at first. Check that it comes down straight on drives and in defence.
Match the height of your lift to the bowling. A slightly more compact lift against quick bowlers can buy time. A fuller one helps when you are targeting boundaries against slower bowling.
Example
A coach worries that his opener's bat goes up towards gully. Front-on video shows it looping back in and coming down straight. He leaves it alone and works on her timing instead.
Why it matters
Changing a natural backlift can cost timing and confidence. Knowing what really matters, the path down and the face at contact, stops you fixing something that is not broken.
Common mistakes
- Forcing a straight lift that makes the downswing stiff and late
- Letting a wide lift stay wide on the way down
- Lifting the bat so late that it is still going up when the ball pitches
- Copying a high lift without the strength or timing to control it
Frequently asked questions
Is it wrong if my backlift goes towards gully?
Not necessarily. Many top batters lift the bat towards slips or gully and loop it back in. It becomes a problem only if the bat comes down across the line. Check the bat path at contact on video.
Should my backlift be straight?
Many coaches teach a straight lift as a sound starting point. It is not the only way. Studies of elite batters found many lift the bat towards the slips and loop it back to a straight downswing.
Should I have a high or low backlift?
Both work. A high lift helps build bat speed for hitting. A compact one is quicker to bring down against fast bowling. Pick the one that lets you bring the bat down on time.
Sources
Related terms
- BackliftThe backlift is the upward movement of the bat before the batter plays a stroke — the height, direction, and angle of the backlift influence bat path and ultimately the direction of the shot.
- Straight BatPlaying with a straight bat means swinging the bat vertically, in line with the ball's path. It is the safest, most orthodox way to defend and drive full or good-length balls.
- Timing the BallTiming the ball means meeting it with the middle of the bat at the right moment. The bat face should point where you want the ball to go. Keep your head still and over the ball, let it come under your eyes and swing smoothly through it. A well-timed shot travels further than the effort behind it suggests.
- Top HandIn cricket batting, the top hand is the upper hand on the bat handle (for a right-hander, the left hand) and controls straight-bat strokes. A strong top hand keeps the bat face straight through the hitting zone.
- Power Hitting (Six Hitting)Power hitting comes from a stable base, a still head and fast bat speed through the ball, not from swinging harder with the arms. Read the length early and clear your front leg if you need room. Swing through the line with a full face and full extension.
- Playing Fast BowlingTo play fast bowling, finish any trigger movement before the ball is released so you are still and balanced. Watch the ball from the hand, decide forward or back early and play the ball late under your eyes. Leave balls outside off stump and have a clear plan for the short ball.
Cricket analysis is in development
Motion Lab does not analyze this sport yet. Keep exploring the terms in this section.