Bowling Action Types (Side-On, Front-On, Mixed)
Also known as: side on bowling action, side-on action, front on bowling action, front-on action, semi-open action, mixed bowling action, mixed action, bowling action types
Pace bowling actions are grouped by how the body lines up when the back foot lands. In a side-on action the back foot is roughly parallel to the crease and the front shoulder points at the batter. In a front-on action the back foot points down the pitch and the chest faces the batter more, while a semi-open action sits in between. A mixed action starts front-on and twists the shoulders back toward side-on, and studies link it with more lower-back stress injuries.
Researchers sort fast and medium-pace actions by shoulder and back-foot alignment at back-foot contact. Side-on bowlers land with the back foot roughly parallel to the crease and the shoulders lined up toward the batter. Front-on bowlers land with the back foot pointing down the pitch and the shoulders more open. A New Zealand study added a semi-open group between the two. The main coaching goal is for the feet, hips and shoulders to work together.
A mixed action combines the two in a way that strains the back. The bowler lands front-on, then twists the shoulders back toward side-on during the delivery stride. This twist is called shoulder counter-rotation. A review of scan studies linked the mixed action with more lower-back stress injuries in fast bowlers. It advised coaches to encourage a non-mixed technique. In the New Zealand study, nearly two-thirds of the bowlers tested used a mixed action.
The action label is not the whole story. A 2021 study followed 50 elite fast bowlers. It linked lower-back stress injuries to how the hips, pelvis and lower back moved at back-foot and front-foot contact. So body control through the stride matters as well as the type of action.
If you bowl quickly, film your action from behind and side-on at back-foot contact. Check whether your back foot, hips and shoulders point the same way. Changing an action is best done with a qualified coach, and any back pain should be checked by a doctor or physiotherapist.
Tips by skill level
Ask a friend to film your bowling from behind. At the moment your back foot lands, see whether your feet, hips and shoulders point the same way.
Film from behind at both back-foot and front-foot contact. If your shoulders turn back further than your feet and hips, work on lining them up gradually with a qualified coach rather than in one big change.
Example
Filmed from behind, a young bowler lands with the back foot pointing down the pitch but then swings his shoulders round to look over his front arm. His coach identifies a mixed action and works on opening the shoulders to match his feet.
Why it matters
Your action type affects how you swing and seam the ball and how much strain goes through your back. Matching your shoulders to your feet is a key goal for young fast bowlers.
Common mistakes
- Landing with the back foot pointing down the pitch, then twisting the shoulders round to side-on
- Copying a famous bowler's action without checking how it fits your own body
- Changing the action in the middle of a season without a coach
- Bowling through back pain instead of getting it checked
Frequently asked questions
What is a side-on bowling action?
At back-foot contact the back foot lands roughly parallel to the crease and the front shoulder points toward the batter. The bowler looks at the target over or inside the front arm.
What is the difference between a side-on and front-on action?
In a side-on action the back foot is parallel to the crease and the shoulders line up toward the batter. In a front-on action the back foot points down the pitch and the chest is more open to the batter.
What is a mixed bowling action?
An action that lands front-on and then twists the shoulders back toward side-on during the delivery stride. Studies link it with more lower-back stress injuries, so coaches work to remove it.
Which bowling action is best?
Research does not single out one best action. The clearest advice is to avoid a mixed action, so your back foot, hips and shoulders line up. A qualified coach can help you find the version that suits you.
Sources
- Ferdinands RED, Kersting UG, Marshall RN, Stuelcken M. Distribution of modern cricket bowling actions in New Zealand. European Journal of Sport Science, 2010 (abstract)
- Arora M, Paoloni JA, Kandwal P, Diwan AD. Are fast-bowlers prone to back injuries? Review of MRI-based studies. Asian Journal of Sports Medicine 5(4):e24291, 2014 (Table 1; conclusions)
- Alway P, Felton P, Brooke-Wavell K, Peirce N, King M. Cricket fast bowling technique and lumbar bone stress injury. Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise 53(3):581-589, 2021 (abstract)
Related terms
- Swing BowlingSwing bowling makes a fast-bowled ball curve sideways in the air, toward the batter (inswing) or away (outswing). The angled seam, helped by keeping one side shiny, makes the air flow differently over the two sides of the ball.
- Seam BowlingSeam bowling is a style of pace bowling where the ball is gripped so the seam is upright and the ball lands on the seam. This causes it to deviate unpredictably off the pitch.
- Out-SwingOut-swing is conventional swing bowling where the ball curves in the air from leg to off (away from the body of a right-handed batter), enticing an edge towards the slip cordon.
- In-SwingIn-swing is conventional swing bowling where the ball curves in the air from off to leg (in towards the body of a right-handed batter), often targeting the stumps or pads.
- YorkerA yorker is a delivery bowled to pitch right at the batter's feet, under the swinging bat. It is one of the hardest balls to score off and a key death-overs weapon.
Cricket analysis is in development
Motion Lab does not analyze this sport yet. Keep exploring the terms in this section.