Drop and Run (Soft-Hands Single)
Also known as: drop and run, drop the ball and run, dab and run, push and run, soft hands single, dropping the ball for a quick single
To drop the ball and run, play a defensive shot with very soft hands so the ball dies a few metres in front of you. Call early and set off as soon as it lands. The fielders have to run in to it. That gives you time to steal a quick single.
The shot looks like a normal block. The difference is the grip. The bottom hand barely holds the bat, so the bat gives at contact. The ball loses its pace and stops close to the pitch, often into the off side or leg side gap.
The run depends on calling and backing up. The striker usually calls, because they can see where the ball lands. The non-striker backs up as the bowler delivers. Under Law 38.3, they must stay in their ground until the bowler's arm reaches the top of the delivery swing. Both batters run hard and slide the bat in at the end.
It works best when fielders stand back. If the inner ring is deep, a dropped ball near the pitch is hard to reach in time. It is risky when a quick fielder stands close. It is also risky if the bowler can reach the ball fast in the follow-through. Watch where fielders are before the ball is bowled, and agree the plan with your partner.
Tips by skill level
Practise blocking with a loose bottom hand so the ball drops near your feet. Then add a loud call and a sprint.
Look for fielders who are slow to move in or who throw with their weaker arm. Target the gap on that side.
Example
With the field set back, the batter blocks a good length ball with soft hands. It stops a few metres down the pitch. She shouts yes and the batters scamper through for a single.
Why it matters
Quick singles keep the scoreboard moving and rotate the strike without risk in the air. They also unsettle bowlers and fielders.
Common mistakes
- Pushing hard at the ball so it runs straight to a fielder
- Calling late or not calling at all
- Trying it with a fast fielder standing close
- The non-striker leaving the crease before the bowler's arm reaches the top of the delivery swing
Frequently asked questions
How do I drop the ball and run?
Block with a very loose bottom hand so the ball dies near the pitch. Call loudly as soon as it lands and run hard. It works best when the fielders are back.
Who calls for a drop and run single?
Usually the striker, because they see where the ball lands. Agree it with your partner first so both of you react together.
Sources
Related terms
- Soft Hands in BattingSoft hands means relaxing your grip at contact. The bat gives a little and the ball drops dead near your feet. It helps edges fall short of the slips and stops bat-pad catches against spin. Hard hands, pushing firmly at the ball, send edges flying.
- Calling Between the WicketsMany coaches teach that the striker calls for balls hit in front of the wicket and the non-striker calls for balls behind square, where the striker cannot see. Use three clear words: "yes", "no" and "wait". It is a coaching convention, not a Law. Agree it with your partner before you bat.
- Finding Gaps in the FieldTo find gaps, look at the field before every ball and pick the space you will aim for. Then use the angle of the bat face and soft or firm hands to place the ball there. Hit along the ground into the space between fielders and run hard for the single.
- Run OutA run out happens when a fielder puts down the wicket while a batter is out of their ground, whether or not a run is being attempted (Law 38.1). The batter is out.
- Front-Foot DefenceThe front-foot defence is a defensive batting stroke where the batter strides forward and blocks a good-length ball with a straight, angled bat to keep it down and safe.
Cricket analysis is in development
Motion Lab does not analyze this sport yet. Keep exploring the terms in this section.