Square Drive
Also known as: square drive, drive square of the wicket, driving square, square drive through point, back-foot square drive, front-foot square drive
A square drive hits a full, wide ball outside off stump square on the off side, through point or backward point. Step towards the line of the ball, extend your arms and bring the bat down at more of an angle than on a cover drive. Keep your head over the ball to keep it on the ground.
The square drive sits between the cover drive and the square cut. It is played to a ball full enough to drive but too wide for a comfortable cover drive. The ball goes square of the wicket on the off side, through point or backward point. It can be played off the front foot or, to a slightly shorter ball, off the back foot.
Off the front foot, the stride goes towards the line of the ball rather than straight down the pitch. The arms extend away from the body and the bat swings down at an angle. The face points towards point at contact. The head stays over the ball. Off the back foot, the batter rises on the toes and punches the ball square with a firm top hand.
Do not confuse it with the square cut. The cut is a back-foot, cross-bat shot to a short, wide ball. The square drive is played to a fuller ball with the bat coming down from the backlift. The main risk is width that is not really there. Driving square at a ball close to off stump brings in the edge to the slips and gully. Judge the length and width first, then commit.
Tips by skill level
Have a partner toss full balls well wide of off stump. Step towards the line and aim at a cone at point.
Watch where point and backward point stand. Driving in front of or behind point opens up the gap.
Example
The seamer drops a full ball well outside off stump. The batter strides towards the line, extends his arms and drives it square. The ball runs past point to the boundary.
Why it matters
Wide, full balls are scoring chances. The square drive turns them into runs square of the wicket instead of edges to the slips.
Common mistakes
- Square driving a ball that is too close to off stump
- Throwing the hands at the ball with the feet still at the crease
- Lifting the head and slicing the ball in the air to point
- Playing a cross-bat cut at a ball full enough to drive
Frequently asked questions
What is a square drive in cricket?
It is a drive that sends a full, wide ball square on the off side, through point or backward point. The bat comes down from the backlift at an angle. It sits between the cover drive and the square cut.
How do I play the square drive?
Choose a full ball well outside off stump. Step towards its line, extend your arms and swing down with the face pointing at point. Keep your head over the ball to keep it on the ground.
What is the difference between a square drive and a square cut?
A square drive is played to a fuller ball with the bat coming down from the backlift. A square cut is a back-foot, cross-bat shot to a short, wide ball. Both send the ball square on the off side.
Related terms
- 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.
- Square CutThe square cut is a back-foot, cross-bat stroke played to a short, wide ball outside off stump. It slashes the ball square on the off side, toward point.
- 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.
- Nicking Off (Edging 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.
- Back-Foot PlayBack-foot play is batting in which the batter moves the weight back and onto the rear foot to play short-pitched or rising deliveries. This creates time by moving away from the pitch of the ball.
- 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.
Cricket analysis is in development
Motion Lab does not analyze this sport yet. Keep exploring the terms in this section.