Sweep and Reverse Sweep

In this lesson you will learn what the sweep family of shots offers. Against accurate spin bowling, especially on slower pitches, it can be hard to score with straight-bat shots without leaving your crease. The sweep lets you hit good length balls into the leg side, and the reverse sweep lets you hit them behind point on the off side. These shots disrupt the bowler's length and can force the captain to move fielders. You will also see that they are cross-batted, so the bat is not straight, which brings extra risk. That is why judgement matters so much. In this module you will learn to use the sweep as a deliberate option, not a gamble.

• Scores off good length spin
• Disrupts the bowler's length
• Forces the captain to move fielders
• Cross-batted shots carry extra risk

In this lesson you will learn which deliveries suit the sweep. The conventional sweep is most effective against a spinner's ball that is on a full or good length on or outside leg stump, or on middle stump if you are confident. Balls that are short are better played off the back foot. Balls that are very full may be better driven. Sweeping deliveries that are bouncing sharply or skidding on quickly increases the risk of a top edge. You will also learn that it is generally wise to avoid sweeping pace bowling. Many batters decide before the ball is bowled that they will sweep, which is acceptable as long as they are prepared to adjust if the ball is wrong.

• Full or good length on or outside leg
• Short balls: play back instead
• Avoid sweeping sharp bounce or pace
• Pre-meditate but stay ready to adjust

In this lesson you will learn the conventional sweep. Stride forward with your front foot towards the line of the ball and bend your back knee so that it goes down towards, or onto, the ground. Your head should come down and forward, close to the line of the ball, with your eyes level. Swing the bat through a horizontal arc, meeting the ball in front of your front pad, and roll your wrists over it to keep it down towards square leg or fine leg. Your front pad offers a second line of defence if you miss. You will practise getting down low and balanced before adding the swing, using tennis balls fed gently from a partner.

• Front foot strides to the line of the ball
• Back knee goes down, head low
• Meet the ball in front of the front pad
• Roll the wrists to keep it down

In this lesson you will learn two variations. The paddle sweep is a gentle, delicate shot where you angle the bat face and help the ball past the wicketkeeper towards fine leg, using its pace. It is low risk and useful for singles when fine leg is up. The slog sweep is an aggressive version, played with a fuller swing to hit the ball in the air over mid-wicket or square leg. It is a powerful boundary option against spin in T20, but it carries the risk of being caught in the deep, so you must check where the deep fielders are. You will practise both, starting with the paddle to build confidence before moving to the slog sweep.

• Paddle: angle the face, guide it fine
• Paddle is low risk, good for singles
• Slog sweep: aggressive, over mid-wicket
• Check the deep fielders before slog sweeping

In this lesson you will learn the reverse sweep. Set up as for a conventional sweep, getting down low towards the line of the ball. Then, as you swing, turn the bat over so the face points towards the off side, and sweep the ball behind point or towards third man. Some batters swap their hand positions on the handle to do this, while others simply rotate the bat. The reverse sweep targets the space that is often left open when a captain sets a leg-side field for a spinner. You will learn that the reverse sweep is perfectly legal under the Laws of Cricket, but it requires a lot of practice because it is played with an unfamiliar movement.

• Set up low like the conventional sweep
• Turn the face to the off side
• Hit behind point or towards third man
• Legal, but needs a lot of practice

In this lesson you will look at the risks that come with sweeping. Because your pad is in front of the stumps, leg before wicket is a real danger if you miss a ball that did not pitch outside leg stump. A top edge can balloon to short fine leg, short third man or the keeper. Missing a ball that turns or skids can leave you bowled around your legs. You will learn that getting your front pad well forward towards the line of the ball reduces leg before wicket chances, and that rolling the wrists reduces top edges. Do not sweep a ball that is outside your plan, and do not sweep the same way every ball, or the bowler will adjust.

• Lbw risk with the pad in front
• Top edges can balloon to close fielders
• Missing can leave you bowled
• Vary your shots so the bowler cannot plan

In this lesson you will learn to practise the sweep shots safely and effectively. Start with tennis balls or soft balls fed underarm from a partner standing at a safe distance, so you can groove getting down low and rolling your wrists. Then progress to spin bowling in the nets with a hard ball. Because your head is low and close to the ball, a helmet with a faceguard is essential, and you should also wear pads, gloves and a box. Make sure the person feeding the ball is protected from the line of your shot, ideally behind a net or a safety screen. Keep sessions short to avoid strain on your knees and back, and warm up properly.

• Start with soft balls and underarm feeds
• Progress to spin in the nets
• Helmet essential with your head low
• Keep the feeder safe and warm up properly