Falling Over to the Off Side (LBW Trap)
Also known as: falling over to the off side, falling over when batting, falling over and getting lbw, head falling to the off side, falling across the crease, falling over on the front foot
You fall over and get LBW when your head and weight drift towards the off side as you play. Your front pad ends up across the stumps and the bat has to come round it. Balls swinging or seaming back in then hit the pad in line. Keep your head still and over your front knee.
Falling over means the body tips past the line of the ball towards the off side. It often starts with a big trigger movement back and across. It can also come from the head leaning out in the stance, or from reaching for balls outside off stump.
Once the head goes past the ball, the front foot lands too far across. The pad covers the stumps. The bat has to swing around the pad, often across the line. That is the classic LBW position, especially against in-swing and balls that seam back in. Flicks then go in the air, and straight balls get past the bat.
Fixes start in the stance. Keep your eyes level and your head over your feet. Make any trigger movement small and finish it before the ball is released. Lead with the head towards the ball, but stop it once it is over the front knee. Film yourself from front-on to see where your head finishes.
Tips by skill level
Check your stance in a mirror. Your head should sit over the middle of your feet, with your eyes level.
Film from front-on at release and at contact. If your head finishes outside the line of off stump, shorten or remove the trigger.
Example
A batter keeps getting trapped LBW by in-swingers. Video shows his head ends outside off stump and his front pad covers the stumps. He shortens his trigger and keeps his head over his front knee.
Why it matters
LBW is one of the most common ways to get out. Fixing your balance at the crease closes the gap bowlers aim at.
Common mistakes
- A big trigger that carries the head outside off stump
- Leaning the head towards the off side in the stance
- Reaching for wide balls with the head
- Playing round the front pad instead of beside it
Frequently asked questions
Why do I fall over and get LBW?
Your head and weight are moving towards the off side as you play. Your pad ends up in front of the stumps and the bat comes round it. Keep your head still and over your front knee.
How do I stop falling over when batting?
Keep your head level and over your feet in the stance. Make your trigger small and finish it before release. Film from front-on to check your head position.
Related terms
- LBW (Leg Before Wicket)LBW is a mode of dismissal. Under specific conditions, the umpire can rule the batter leg before wicket. That applies if the ball would have hit the stumps but the batter's pad intercepts it first.
- Head PositionHead position in batting refers to where and how still the batter's head is during the stroke — keeping the head level, forward-leaning, and over the ball is a universal marker of quality technique.
- Back-and-Across Trigger MovementA back-and-across trigger is a small step of the back foot backwards and towards off stump just before the bowler releases the ball. The front foot follows a short way. It lines your head up with off stump and helps you judge what to leave against pace. Finish it before release and keep the step small.
- 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.
- Bowled Through the GateBeing bowled through the gate means the ball passes through the gap between your bat and front pad and hits the stumps. It usually comes from a stride wide of the line, a bat coming down across the pad or reaching for the ball. Keep your bat close to your front pad and let the ball come to you.
Cricket analysis is in development
Motion Lab does not analyze this sport yet. Keep exploring the terms in this section.