Nicking Off (Edging Behind)
Also known as: nicking off, nicked off, edging behind, fishing outside off stump, edging to the keeper, getting caught behind
Nicking off is edging a ball outside off stump to the wicket-keeper or slips. It usually comes from playing at balls you could leave, pushing at the ball with hard hands or reaching away from your body. Know your off stump, play late under your eyes with soft hands and leave anything you do not need to play.
When the ball takes the edge and a fielder catches it before it touches the ground, the batter is out caught under Law 33. A glove on a hand holding the bat counts as part of the bat. Nicking off is rarely one bad shot. It is usually a pattern: playing at the wrong balls, in the wrong way.
The causes are well known. Not knowing where off stump is leads batters to play at balls that would miss. Pushing at the ball in front of the body with hard hands sends any edge flying to the slips. Reaching away from the body leaves a gap between bat and pad. A front foot planted across the line early, or a head falling to the off side, angles the bat towards the slips. Late in a long innings, tiredness and impatience add to all of these.
The fix starts with off stump. Many batters take guard and mark it so they know where off stump is. Then they practise leaving. Play the ball later, under the eyes, with the bat close to the front pad. Soft hands help an edge drop short of the slips. Keep the head over the ball and play straight, towards mid-off rather than square. Patience is a skill here. Bowlers who rely on the outside edge often keep bowling the same line until the batter reaches for one.
Tips by skill level
In the nets, ask a partner to bowl a mix of balls on and outside off stump. Say 'play' or 'leave' out loud before each ball and only play at the ones that would hit.
Track how you get out across a season. If the keeper and slips take most of your catches, build your next block of practice around the leave and playing late.
Example
After an hour of leaving well, the opener reaches for a wide outswinger with his hands away from his body. It takes the outside edge and second slip takes the catch.
Why it matters
Edging behind is often a self-inflicted dismissal. Better off-stump judgement and softer hands turn many of those balls into dot balls rather than wickets.
Common mistakes
- Playing at balls outside off stump that would miss the stumps
- Pushing hard at the ball in front of the body instead of playing it late under the eyes
- Leaving a gap between bat and pad with the hands reaching away from the body
- Letting the head fall to the off side so the bat comes down at an angle
Frequently asked questions
How do I stop nicking off outside off stump?
Know where your off stump is and leave balls that would miss it. When you do play, let the ball come under your eyes, keep the bat close to your front pad and use soft hands. Keep your head over the ball and play straight rather than square.
Why do I keep getting caught behind?
Common causes are playing at wide balls, pushing at the ball with hard hands and reaching away from the body. A front foot planted across early, or a head falling to the off side, can also angle the bat towards the keeper and slips.
Is it out if the ball hits my glove and is caught?
Yes, if the glove is on a hand holding the bat. Under the Laws, that glove counts as part of the bat. A clean catch off it is out caught. If that hand is off the bat, the glove does not count as the bat.
Sources
Related terms
- CaughtCaught is a way of being out in cricket. The batter is out when a fielder catches the ball before it touches the ground, after it has come off the bat or a glove on the hand holding the bat (Laws 33.1 and 5.6).
- JudgmentJudgment in cricket batting is the ability to quickly decide which deliveries to play and which to leave, choosing the right shot for each ball bowled.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.