Switch Hit
Also known as: switch hit, switch-hit, switch hitting, switch hit shot, changing stance to switch hit, is the switch hit legal
A switch hit is when a right-handed batter swaps to a left-handed stance and grip as the bowler runs in, or a left-hander swaps to right. The batter then hits the ball as a batter of the other hand. The Laws of Cricket do not ban it. MCC said in 2008 that the stroke conforms to the Laws.
The batter changes hands on the handle and turns the feet between the bowler's run-up and delivery. A right-hander's leg side becomes their off side for the shot. A ball aimed outside off stump can then be hit into an area the field has left open. It needs fast hands, a flexible grip and a lot of practice.
The legal detail matters for LBW and wides. Under Law 36.3 the off side is fixed by the striker's batting position at the moment the ball comes into play for that delivery. Under Law 20.5 that moment is when the bowler starts their run-up. A later switch does not change the off side for LBW. Under Law 22.1.1 the umpire judges a wide against where the striker is standing or has stood since the ball came into play. The ball must also be wide of a striker in a normal batting position. Competitions can set their own wide guidelines in their playing conditions.
Under Law 21.1 a bowler must tell the umpire before changing arm or switching between over and round the wicket. The batter has no such duty. The shot is high-skill and high-risk. A miss can mean an LBW or a bowled. A top edge can carry to a close fielder. Practise it with soft balls and a helmet before trying it in a match.
Tips by skill level
Practise the grip change slowly in shadow batting. Swap hands and feet in one smooth movement before adding a ball.
Time the switch for the bowler's delivery stride. Earlier gives the bowler time to adjust their line. Later leaves you rushing the shot.
Example
The bowler sets a leg-side field. As he runs in, the right-hander swaps his grip and stance to left-handed and slaps the ball over what had been point for four.
Why it matters
The switch hit turns a set field against the bowler. Knowing how the Laws treat it tells you what the umpire will judge.
Common mistakes
- Switching so early that the bowler sees it and changes the ball
- Changing the feet without changing the grip, which leaves the bat face closed
- Assuming the switch changes the off side for LBW
- Trying it in a match without practising the grip change
Frequently asked questions
Is the switch hit legal in cricket?
Yes. The Laws of Cricket do not ban it, and MCC said in 2008 that it conforms to the Laws. For LBW, the off side stays fixed by your stance when the bowler starts their run-up.
How do you play a switch hit?
As the bowler runs in, swap your hands on the handle and turn your feet to the opposite stance. Then hit the ball as a batter of the other hand would. Practise the grip change slowly first.
Does a switch hit change the wide and LBW rules?
For LBW, the off side is set by your stance when the bowler starts their run-up. Switching does not change it. For a wide, the umpire considers where you are standing or have stood and a normal batting position. Some competitions add their own wide guidelines.
Sources
- MCC Laws of Cricket, 2017 Code 4th Edition (2026), Law 36.3 (Off side of wicket), p. 110
- MCC Laws of Cricket, 2017 Code 4th Edition (2026), Law 20.5 (Ball ceases to be dead), p. 68
- MCC Laws of Cricket, 2017 Code 4th Edition (2026), Law 22.1 (Judging a Wide), p. 75
- MCC Laws of Cricket, 2017 Code 4th Edition (2026), Law 21.1 (Mode of delivery), p. 69
- Mail & Guardian (18 June 2008): MCC says the switch hit "conforms to the laws of cricket and will not be legislated against"
Related terms
- 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.
- 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.
- LBW (Leg Before Wicket)LBW is a mode of dismissal. Under specific conditions, the umpire can rule the batter leg before wicket. That applies if the ball would have hit the stumps but the batter's pad intercepts it first.
- WideA wide is a delivery the umpire judges too wide, or too high, for the striker to hit with a normal cricket stroke from where they stand (Law 22.1). It adds one run and must be bowled again. Many competitions paint wide guide lines and set stricter limits in their playing conditions.
- 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.
- Cricket Helmet and Neck GuardA cricket helmet with a faceguard or grille protects the head and face from the ball. A neck guard, or stem guard, attaches to the back of the helmet to protect the upper neck. Rules vary by country and level. In England and Wales, under-18s must wear a helmet with a faceguard or grille when batting against a hard ball.
Cricket analysis is in development
Motion Lab does not analyze this sport yet. Keep exploring the terms in this section.