Off-Spin Bowling

In this lesson you will learn what off-spin is and why it matters in T20 cricket. An off-spinner is a right-arm finger spinner who spins the ball so that, after pitching, it turns from the off side towards the leg side, into a right-handed batter. The mirror image, bowled with the left arm, is called left-arm orthodox spin, and it turns away from a right-hander. Off-spinners rely on accuracy, flight, dip and changes of pace as much as on big turn. In T20, good finger spinners are valued for bowling tight overs in the middle of the innings, and many also bowl in the powerplay. You do not need huge turn to succeed.

• Right-arm finger spin turning from off to leg
• Left-arm orthodox is the mirror image
• Relies on accuracy, flight and pace variation
• Valued in the middle overs and powerplay

In this lesson you will learn how to hold the ball. Place the top joints of your index and middle fingers across the seam, spread as wide as is comfortable, so that the seam runs between them. The index finger should grip firmly along the seam, as it does most of the work. Your thumb rests lightly on the ball, and your third finger can tuck alongside for support. The ball sits in the fingers, not the palm. When you release, the index finger pulls down the right side of the ball while the wrist turns, like turning a door handle clockwise, sending the ball spinning towards the slips with the seam angled.

• Top joints of index and middle fingers across the seam
• Spread fingers wide; index finger does the work
• Ball in the fingers, not the palm
• Turn clockwise like a door handle at release

In this lesson you will learn the off-spinner's action. Spinners usually use a short, rhythmic run-up of a few paces. As you land on your back foot, you turn side-on so your front shoulder points towards the batter. Then you pivot on your front foot, driving your hips and shoulders through the crease, with your bowling arm coming over high and your body rotating fully. A strong pivot, sometimes described as getting your back hip and shoulder through, adds revolutions and drive to the ball. Finish with your bowling hand coming down past your front hip. A balanced, repeatable action is more important than a dramatic one.

• Short, rhythmic run-up
• Land side-on, front shoulder towards the batter
• Pivot and drive hips and shoulders through
• Bowling hand finishes past the front hip

In this lesson you will learn how to balance spin and accuracy. The more revolutions you put on the ball, the more it is likely to drift in the air and turn off the pitch. However, revolutions without control lead to loose balls that can be hit for boundaries. Start by bowling at a target zone with a comfortable amount of spin, then gradually increase the revolutions as your control improves. A good off-spinner's stock ball pitches on a good length around off stump and turns enough to beat the bat or force a mistake. Use short-distance drills, such as spinning the ball to a partner, to build your finger strength and feel.

• More revolutions bring drift and turn
• Revolutions without control are costly
• Build spin gradually as control improves
• Stock ball: good length around off stump

In this lesson you will learn the off-spinner's main variation, the arm ball. The arm ball is held with the seam upright, like a seamer's grip, and released with backspin rather than off-spin, so it does not turn and may drift away from the right-hander. Bowled after a series of off-breaks, it can beat the outside edge or trap the batter lbw playing for turn. Other variations include bowling quicker and flatter, or slower and higher, and using the crease by bowling from closer or wider. Advanced finger spinners also develop deliveries like the carrom ball, but these should only be attempted once your stock ball is reliable.

• Arm ball: seam upright, no turn, may drift away
• Beats the edge or wins lbw against a batter expecting turn
• Vary pace, trajectory and crease position
• Master the stock ball before advanced variations

In this lesson you will learn how off-spinners succeed in T20. Batters will often try to attack spin, so you need to bowl with control, vary your pace and avoid giving easy length balls to hit over the top. Bowling a little quicker and flatter reduces the time a batter has to come down the pitch, while an occasional slower, flighted ball can bring a stumping or a catch in the deep. Against left-handers, the off-spinner turns the ball away, which can be very effective. Watch the batter's footwork closely, adjust your length if they advance, and work with your wicketkeeper on stumping chances.

• Control and pace variation are vital
• Quicker and flatter limits the charge
• Occasional flight can bring wickets in the deep
• Off-spin turns away from left-handers

In this lesson you will learn typical off-spin fields and how to practise safely. In T20, an off-spinner often bowls with a fielder at long-on and deep mid-wicket to protect the leg side, along with fielders saving one in the ring. In the powerplay, only two fielders may be outside the thirty-yard circle, so accuracy is critical. Practise with targets, bowl to a batter in supervised nets, and build up the number of deliveries gradually, as spinning repeatedly places load on your fingers, shoulder and side. Keep your spinning finger in good condition, and stop if you feel pain. This guidance does not replace accredited coaching.

• Typical T20 field protects long-on and deep mid-wicket
• Powerplay: only two fielders outside the circle
• Build spin volumes gradually
• Look after your spinning finger and stop if in pain