Free Hit
Also known as: free hit, free-hit, free hit rule, free hit after a no ball
A free hit is the delivery after a no ball in one-day and T20 international cricket. On a free hit the batter can only be out run out, hit the ball twice or obstructing the field. As a result, they cannot be bowled, caught, LBW or stumped. The fielding side may not change the field unless the batter on strike changes. If the free hit is itself a wide or no ball, the next ball is also a free hit.
Free hits are a playing condition, not part of the Laws of Cricket. The International Cricket Council uses them in men's one-day and T20 internationals, but not in men's Test cricket. Many leagues adopt them too, so check your competition's rules.
Every kind of no ball earns a free hit. That includes overstepping, a high full toss, and too many fielders outside the circle. The free hit goes to whichever batter faces the next ball. If the batters ran a single off the no ball, the other batter gets it. The striker can be out only in the ways allowed off a no ball: run out, hit the ball twice or obstructing the field. That still applies if the free-hit ball is called wide.
The fielders cannot change positions for a free hit. There are two exceptions. The field can change if the batter on strike changes. If the no ball was for a fielding-restriction breach, the field can change just enough to fix it. The bowler may switch, for example from over to round the wicket, but must tell the umpire. The umpire signals a free hit by raising one arm and moving it in a circle.
For the batter, a free hit is a chance to swing hard without fear of being caught or bowled. For the bowler, a full, straight yorker or a wide line away from the hitting arc usually limits the damage.
Tips by skill level
On a free hit, pick your shot early and swing with full commitment. Only run if the run is safe, because a run out still counts.
As a bowler, plan your free-hit ball before the match. A yorker on the stumps or a slower ball wide of off stump, matched to your set field, gives the batter the least room.
Example
The bowler oversteps, so the next ball is a free hit. The batter clears the front leg, swings hard and is caught on the boundary, but stays not out.
Why it matters
A free hit is a scoring chance for the batting side and a costly mistake for the bowler. Knowing how it works helps both sides plan the next ball.
Common mistakes
- Defending a free hit instead of trying to score
- Forgetting you can still be run out on a free hit
- Fielding captains moving fielders before a free hit when the striker has not changed
- Assuming free hits apply in every format and every league
Frequently asked questions
Can you be out on a free hit?
Yes, but only run out, hit the ball twice or obstructing the field. You cannot be bowled, caught, LBW, stumped or out hit wicket.
What happens if a free hit is a wide?
The next ball is also a free hit. The batter still cannot be out except in the no-ball ways on the wide itself.
Can the fielding team change the field for a free hit?
No, unless the batter on strike has changed. If the no ball was for a fielding-restriction breach, the field can change only to correct it.
Are there free hits in Test cricket?
Not in men's Test cricket under ICC playing conditions. They are used in men's one-day and T20 internationals, and many leagues adopt them, so check your competition's rules.
Sources
- ICC Men's ODI Playing Conditions (effective Oct 2026), clauses 21.17-21.18 (Out from a No ball; Free hit), pp. 37-38
- ICC Men's ODI Playing Conditions (effective Oct 2026), clause 21.1.1 (notifying a change in mode of delivery), p. 35
- ICC Men's T20I Playing Conditions (effective Oct 2026), clause 21.18 (Free hit), p. 38
- ICC Men's Test Match Playing Conditions (effective Oct 2026), clause 21 (No ball): no free-hit provision
Related terms
- No-BallA no-ball is an illegal delivery in cricket. Most commonly when the bowler's front foot lands beyond the popping crease — resulting in one extra run and the delivery being re-bowled. The batter cannot be out bowled, caught, LBW, stumped or hit wicket. Run out, hit the ball twice and obstructing the field still apply (Law 21.17).
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- One-Day International (ODI)A one-day international is an international match where each team bats once, for up to 50 overs. Each bowler can bowl no more than 10 overs. The fielding side is limited to two fielders outside the 30-yard circle in overs 1 to 10, four in overs 11 to 40 and five in overs 41 to 50. A tie is settled by a Super Over.
- T20 FormatT20 (Twenty20) cricket is the shortest mainstream format of the game — each side bats for a maximum of 20 overs — producing fast-paced, high-scoring matches usually completed in under three hours.
Cricket analysis is in development
Motion Lab does not analyze this sport yet. Keep exploring the terms in this section.