Off Drive
Also known as: off drive, off-drive, drive through mid-off, driving through mid off, drive past mid-off, how to play the off drive
The off drive is a front-foot drive that sends a full ball on or just outside off stump wide of the bowler towards mid-off. Lead with your front shoulder and step towards the pitch of the ball. Keep your head over it and swing straight through with a full face, finishing high.
Drives are named by where they go. The straight drive goes back past the bowler. The off drive goes a little wider, towards mid-off. The cover drive goes squarer again, between mid-off and point. The off drive is played to a full ball on off stump or just outside it.
The front shoulder leads the movement and points towards mid-off. The front foot steps to the pitch of the ball, slightly towards the off side, with the toe angled out. The head stays over the front knee and in line with the ball. The bat comes down straight from the backlift. The top hand keeps the face pointing at mid-off through contact. A full, high finish sends the ball along the ground. A check drive, with the bat stopped after contact, gives more control.
The off drive can feel awkward. The ball is close to the body, and the batter has to open the face slightly without cutting across the ball. Common errors are a front foot planted straight down the pitch that blocks the swing and a bottom hand that turns the face. Both send the ball to mid-on or off the inside edge. Balls that are full and wider belong to the cover drive. Short ones are for the back foot.
Tips by skill level
Place a cone at mid-off and drive throwdowns towards it. Start with a check drive and hold the finish.
When mid-off comes up, wait for the overpitched ball and hit it firmly past them. When mid-off is deep, use the drive to rotate the strike.
Example
The bowler overpitches on off stump. The batter steps forward, leans her front shoulder towards mid-off and drives with a high finish. The ball races past the diving mid-off.
Why it matters
Full balls on off stump come often. The off drive turns them into safe, straight runs.
Common mistakes
- Planting the front foot straight down the pitch and blocking the swing
- Letting the bottom hand close the face and drag the ball to mid-on
- Driving at a short ball instead of a full one
- Lifting the head before contact and slicing the ball in the air
Frequently asked questions
How do I play the off drive?
Wait for a full ball on or just outside off stump. Lead with your front shoulder, step to the pitch of the ball and keep your head over it. Swing straight through with the face pointing at mid-off and finish high.
What is the difference between the off drive and the cover drive?
The off drive is played straighter, towards mid-off, to a ball on or just outside off stump. The cover drive goes squarer, between mid-off and point, to a fuller and wider ball.
Related terms
- DriveIn cricket, a drive is an attacking stroke that sends a full-length ball along the ground in front of the wicket. It uses a straight, full swing of the bat and is unlike a golf drive.
- 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.
- Straight DriveThe straight drive is a front-foot attacking stroke played to a full ball on or just outside off stump. It sends the ball back past the bowler, straight down the ground.
- On DriveThe on drive is a classical front-foot attacking stroke played to a full ball on middle or leg stump. It sends the ball through the mid-on region on the leg side.
- 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.
- Top HandIn cricket batting, the top hand is the upper hand on the bat handle (for a right-hander, the left hand) and controls straight-bat strokes. A strong top hand keeps the bat face straight through the hitting zone.
Cricket analysis is in development
Motion Lab does not analyze this sport yet. Keep exploring the terms in this section.