Open Batting Stance (Chest-On Stance)
Also known as: open batting stance, chest-on stance, chest on stance, open stance in t20, open stance for power hitting, chest-on batting stance
An open batting stance turns your chest towards the bowler, with your front foot pulled back towards the leg side. Many T20 batters use it to see the ball with both eyes and to set a wide, stable base for hitting. It works in any format if you still turn side-on for off-side shots.
In an open stance the front foot sits back towards the leg side. The hips and chest face down the pitch instead of towards point. Both eyes look straight at the bowler with the head level. From there most open-stance batters make a small trigger movement into a more side-on position as the ball is released.
Short-format batters like it for three reasons. It gives a clear view of the ball with both eyes. It makes it easier to hit through the leg side and straight. It also puts the front leg half out of the way already, ready to clear for power. In the death overs some batters open up further and widen their base. That gives them a stable platform against full balls aimed at the stumps.
The cost shows up outside off stump. From an open stance the front foot and shoulder must travel further to reach a wide ball. A batter who stays chest-on drives with the arms and slices or edges the ball. Many coaches pair an open stance with a trigger that brings the front shoulder back towards the bowler. Test the stance in the nets against swing and seam before using it in a long-format match.
Tips by skill level
Learn a side-on stance first. If you try an open stance, check in a mirror that your eyes stay level and your head stays over your feet.
Film your trigger from front-on. At release you want a balanced base, a still head and a front shoulder ready to turn back towards an off-side ball.
Example
In the last five overs, a right-hander opens her stance with her front foot pointing towards mid-on. She sees a full ball early, keeps her base and drives it over long-on.
Why it matters
Stance decides which shots feel easy and which feel hard. Knowing the trade-offs of an open stance helps you pick one that suits your game and your format.
Common mistakes
- Staying chest-on for off-side drives instead of turning the front shoulder towards the ball
- Opening up so far that balls outside off stump become hard to reach
- Switching to an open stance just before a match without practising it
- Letting the head drift towards the leg side as the feet open
Frequently asked questions
Should I use an open stance in T20?
It can help. An open stance gives a clear view with both eyes and frees your arms for leg-side and straight hitting. Practise turning side-on for off-side balls before you use it in a match.
Is an open stance bad for batting?
No. Plenty of good batters stand open. It becomes a problem only if you stay chest-on when you play at balls outside off stump. That usually leads to edges and slices.
What is a chest-on stance in cricket?
A chest-on stance is another name for a very open stance. The chest faces the bowler at address instead of facing point. Most chest-on batters still turn side-on as they play the shot.
Related terms
- Cricket Batting StanceA good cricket batting stance is balanced and still, with your feet about shoulder-width apart, usually either side of the popping crease. Bend your knees slightly and keep your weight on the balls of your feet. Hold your head still, with your eyes level and looking down the pitch. Side-on, open and raised-bat stances all work if you are balanced at release.
- 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.
- Death OversThe death overs are the final overs of a limited-overs innings, usually overs 17–20 in T20 or 41–50 in one-day cricket. Batters chase runs and bowlers try to limit them.
- 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.
- 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.
- FootworkFootwork in cricket batting is moving the feet into the best position to play each delivery. Moving quickly and correctly to the pitch of the ball is the basis of all good batting.
Cricket analysis is in development
Motion Lab does not analyze this sport yet. Keep exploring the terms in this section.