Inside-Out Shot
Also known as: inside out shot, hitting inside out, inside-out drive, inside out over extra cover, inside-out cover drive, inside out lofted drive
An inside-out shot hits a ball on the stumps or leg side through the off side, usually over or through extra cover. Move inside the line by stepping towards the leg side, then swing out towards the off side with an open face. It is a common way to score against spin turning into you.
The name comes from the bat path. The bat travels from inside the line of the ball outwards, towards the off side. For a right-hander, a ball on middle stump gets hit through extra cover instead of to mid-wicket. Batters do it by making room. They step the front foot a little to leg, or move the back foot towards leg as the bowler releases. The hands lead and the face opens slightly through contact.
It is a strong option against an off-spinner or a left-arm wrist spinner turning the ball into a right-hander. Those bowlers often have a leg-side field. Hitting against the turn into the off side finds space. In the final overs it is also used against pace bowlers who aim at the stumps. It can be played along the ground or lofted over extra cover.
It carries risk. Moving to leg opens up the stumps. Against spin, a ball that turns more than expected can find the inside edge or beat the bat. Advancing down the pitch to play it adds the risk of a stumping. Keep the head still and stay balanced through the shot. Hit with the full face, not just the hands.
Tips by skill level
Start against gentle throwdowns on middle stump. Step a little to leg and aim at a cone at extra cover.
Set it up by showing the bowler a leg-side shot first. Once mid-wicket moves finer, the inside-out gap gets bigger.
Example
Facing an off-spinner with five fielders on the leg side, the batter steps towards leg as the ball is released. He opens the face and lofts the ball inside-out over extra cover for six.
Why it matters
It turns a bowler's leg-side plan against them. A batter with this shot is much harder to set a field to.
Common mistakes
- Backing away so far that the stumps are left exposed to a straight ball
- Hitting with the hands only and slicing the ball high
- Closing the face at contact and dragging the ball back to leg
- Playing it to a ball turning away from the bat
Frequently asked questions
How do I hit inside out over extra cover?
Make a little room by moving towards the leg side as the ball is released. Keep your head still, swing from inside the line outwards and open the face. Get under the ball with a full swing to clear extra cover.
What does hitting inside out mean in cricket?
It means hitting a ball on the stumps or leg side through the off side. The bat moves from inside the line of the ball outwards. Batters use it to hit against the turn and find space on the off side.
Related terms
- Lofted DriveA lofted drive lifts the ball over the fielders instead of along the ground. Get close to the pitch of the ball, keep your head still and swing through the line with a full face and a high finish. Choose a full ball and check the field first. Decide whether you only need to clear the infield or go all the way.
- Clearing the Front Leg (Making Room)Clearing the front leg means moving your front foot out of the way, usually towards the leg side, to let your arms swing freely through the ball. Making room means stepping away from the line of a ball on the stumps to hit it through the off side. Both create space for a full swing. Both also leave more of your stumps exposed.
- Playing Spin BowlingTo play spin bowling, watch the bowler's hand to read which way the ball will turn and pick up the length early. Be decisive with your feet. Go right forward to smother the spin at the pitch, or right back to play it late off the pitch. Keep your bat in front of your pad and score by playing with the turn.
- Off-SpinOff-spin is finger-spin bowling that turns the ball from off to leg, toward a right-handed batter. It uses the fingers, not the wrist, and its stock delivery is the off-break.
- 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.
- Cover DriveThe cover drive is an elegant front-foot stroke that sends a full ball outside off stump through cover, between point and mid-off.
Cricket analysis is in development
Motion Lab does not analyze this sport yet. Keep exploring the terms in this section.