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