Paddle Sweep
Also known as: paddle sweep, paddle sweep shot, paddle to fine leg, fine sweep, paddle shot in cricket, paddle sweep against spin
A paddle sweep is a gentle sweep that deflects the ball fine down the leg side, behind square towards fine leg. Get down on one knee with your front leg stretched towards the ball. Hold the bat almost flat and angled, then guide the ball using its own pace. It needs a precise angle more than power.
The paddle sweep is a cousin of the conventional sweep. The batter goes down on the back knee with the front leg stretched towards the pitch of the ball. Instead of swinging hard across the line, they hold the bat almost horizontal and angled towards fine leg. The ball is helped on its way behind square. It is mostly played against spin and sometimes against slower medium pace.
It is useful when fine leg is up in the circle or squarer than usual. Because it uses the bowler's pace, timing and angle matter more than power. A little bend of the wrists at contact steers the ball finer. It is a low-effort way to score against a ring of fielders in front of square.
The risks are LBW and top edges. If you miss with the front pad in line, an LBW appeal follows. A ball that bounces more than expected can take the glove or the top edge to short fine leg. Wear a helmet with a faceguard. Choose full balls you can reach with your front leg.
Tips by skill level
Practise from a kneeling position against soft underarm feeds. Hold the bat angled and let the ball run off the face.
Check fine leg before each ball. With fine leg back, the paddle is worth a single. With fine leg up, it can be worth four.
Example
With fine leg up in the circle, the batter goes down on one knee to the leg-spinner. She angles the bat and paddles the ball past short fine leg for four.
Why it matters
Spinners often bowl to a ring of fielders in front of square. The paddle sweep scores in the space behind square without needing power.
Common mistakes
- Swinging hard across the line instead of guiding the ball
- Playing it to a ball too short to reach with the front leg
- Opening the face so much that the ball loops to a close fielder
- Sweeping without a helmet and faceguard
Frequently asked questions
How do I play the paddle sweep?
Get down on your back knee with your front leg stretched towards the ball. Hold the bat almost flat and angled towards fine leg. Use soft wrists to guide the ball behind square using its own pace.
What is the difference between a sweep and a paddle sweep?
A sweep swings across the line with power and sends the ball square or in front of square. A paddle sweep is softer. It deflects the ball fine, behind square, using the bowler's pace.
Related terms
- Sweep ShotThe sweep is a cross-bat shot played on one knee to a good-length ball, usually from a spinner. It sweeps the ball around to the leg side to counter turn and length.
- Reverse SweepThe reverse sweep is an attacking stroke where the batter kneels on the front knee and sweeps the ball to the off side. It is the mirror image of the conventional sweep.
- GlanceThe glance (or leg glance) is a wristy deflection played to a ball on the leg side, angling the bat face to direct the ball fine to leg without force.
- 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.
- Ramp and Scoop ShotsA ramp or scoop deflects the ball over the wicket-keeper or the fine fielders, using the bowler's pace. Set up early and get low, open the bat face and get under the ball so it rises over your shoulder. Always wear a helmet with a faceguard. A miss or a top edge can hit the face.
- Soft Hands in BattingSoft hands means relaxing your grip at contact. The bat gives a little and the ball drops dead near your feet. It helps edges fall short of the slips and stops bat-pad catches against spin. Hard hands, pushing firmly at the ball, send edges flying.
Cricket analysis is in development
Motion Lab does not analyze this sport yet. Keep exploring the terms in this section.