| The sweep and the reverse sweep are two batting | | | | the ground. Aim to have your arms fully extended |
| shots which are not commonly used, especially the | | | | when you contact the ball. |
| reverse sweep which is rarely used. However both | | | | To play the reverse sweep, get in to the same |
| shots can be used in certain batting situations and are | | | | position as for the orthodox sweep, however this |
| an effective way to score runs and keep the score | | | | time, bring you bat down and across from leg side |
| board ticking over. | | | | towards the off side, so you are aiming to hit the ball |
| There is a high element of risk with the sweep shot, | | | | through the gully area. This shot requires very good |
| so good judgement and excellent timing is essential. | | | | coordination and timing as you have to twist the bat |
| Avoid playing the sweep and reverse sweep early on | | | | round so that the bat face faces the off side at the |
| in your innings especially to straight deliveries, as it is | | | | point of contact without altering your grip. |
| not a good idea to play it until you have your eye in | | | | Common problems: |
| and know how the pitch is playing and what the | | | | -Premeditating the shot- deciding to play the shot |
| bowler is doing. As for example, if the ball stayed low | | | | before the bowler has bowled the ball. Wait until the |
| it would be quite easy to misjudge and get out LBW | | | | ball is released from the bowlers hand before deciding |
| or bowled which you definitely want to avoid, so be | | | | to play the shot. |
| patient and play yourself in first. | | | | -Playing the sweep too early in the innings before |
| The sweep and reverse sweep are both cross | | | | getting your eye in. Wait until you are set and know |
| batted shots and should ideally be played to slow | | | | how the pitch is playing and what the bowler is doing |
| deliveries which are of a good length and not too full. | | | | before attempting the shot. |
| To play the orthodox sweep shot, first wait for the | | | | -Trying to hit the ball too hard. Good timing and |
| ball to be released before making any movement - | | | | technique is better and more effective as you need |
| DON'T PREMEDITATE THE SHOT! | | | | to reduce the risk as much as possible. |
| Once you have determined that the ball is there to | | | | -Playing the shot to deliveries which are either too full |
| play the sweep shot to, move your front foot as far | | | | or too short, so good judgement of length is |
| down the wicket towards the pitch of the ball as | | | | required. |
| you can. As you are moving forward bend both | | | | Remember that the sweep and reverse sweep are |
| knees simultaneously so that you whole body is low | | | | quite hard shots to master and carry quite a lot of |
| down, let your back knee touch the ground to act as | | | | risk, so make sure that if you intend to use them, |
| an extra base of support. Try to stay balanced and | | | | practice the shots in the nets and in training to get a |
| relaxed. Bring the bat down from the off side and | | | | feel for the shot and so you know when to play it; |
| across the ball towards the leg side and aim to hit it | | | | so that when you come to use them you are |
| either in front of or behind square leg. You can roll | | | | confident and skilled enough to do so. |
| your wrists over the ball as you hit to help keep it on | | | | |