How to Play a Pull Shot in Cricket: Grip, Stance, and Timing
The pull shot is a back-foot attacking stroke played to short-pitched deliveries at waist to chest height, hit in front of or square of the wicket on the leg side. Here is how to play it correctly.
The pull shot is played to a short-pitched delivery that rises to waist or chest height and is aimed at or around the stumps. The batter moves back and across, swivels on the back foot, and hits the ball powerfully in front of or square of the wicket on the leg side. It is one of the most natural attacking shots in cricket and a key weapon against fast bowlers who over-pitch short.
When to Pull
The pull shot is the right choice when the ball:
- Pitches short of a good length (at least halfway down the pitch).
- Rises to around waist or chest height at the point of contact.
- Is aimed at the stumps or just outside leg stump — giving you room to swing through.
Avoid pulling at a ball that rises above chest height (hook instead) or one that is too wide of off stump (cut instead). Reading the length and height early is more than half the battle.
Grip
Your standard batting grip applies. Through impact, the bottom hand (right hand for a right-handed batter) generates the power — feel it driving through. Keep the grip firm but not tense.
Back Foot Movement
- Back and across: Push your back foot back toward the crease and slightly toward off stump. This achieves two things — it gets you into position to meet the ball at a comfortable height, and it puts your head inside the line of the ball.
- Weight on the back foot: Your front foot is light, allowing your hips to swivel freely.
- Stay side-on briefly as you go back, then open up your body aggressively through the shot.
The Swing and Contact
| Element | Detail |
|---|---|
| Bat path | Horizontal — swinging across from off side to leg side |
| Contact height | Waist to chest — do not attempt the pull on balls below the knee |
| Bat face at impact | Slightly closed (angled downward) to keep the ball along the ground |
| Head position | Inside the line, eyes level and locked on the ball |
| Follow-through | Bat finishes across the body, hands travelling down and around |
The swivel is what generates power. Your hips should rotate fully, pulling your chest to face the leg-side boundary by the time the ball leaves the bat. Think of it like a baseball swing — pure hip and shoulder rotation.
Placement Options
- Midwicket: When the ball is a touch fuller or you are a fraction early — the ball goes more in front of square.
- Square leg: Natural timing — the ball goes square of the wicket.
- Fine leg: When slightly late or the ball skids through lower — the ball travels backward of square.
In T20 cricket, batters will often aim the pull to midwicket or long-on deliberately to clear the boundary. In Test cricket, the goal is usually to find the gap and keep the ball on the ground.
Avoiding Top Edges
Top edges are the pull shot’s biggest risk. They happen when:
- The ball rises higher than anticipated and hits the top edge of a bat face that is angled upward.
- The batter’s head falls away from the line, opening the bat face.
- The batter is too early, getting under the ball.
To guard against this, concentrate on keeping your head inside the line, watch the ball closely as it rises off the pitch, and try to hit through the equator or the top half of the ball — not underneath it.
Practice Drill
Ask a throw-down partner to deliver short balls at varying heights — some at thigh height, some at chest height, and some higher. Practise distinguishing pull balls from hook balls and leave attempts. Focus on the back-and-across movement rather than trying to hit hard; power comes naturally when your weight transfer and swivel are in sync.
Quick summary: The pull shot requires early reading of length, back-and-across footwork to get your head inside the line, a full hip swivel, and a slightly downward bat face at impact. Play it to a ball that rises to waist or chest height and aimed at the stumps — too high becomes a hook, too wide becomes a cut. Keep your eyes on the ball all the way to contact to avoid the dreaded top edge.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between a pull shot and a hook shot?+
The pull is played to a ball rising to roughly waist or chest height and is hit in front of or square of the wicket. The hook is played to a higher, rising delivery — often a bouncer at head height — and is hit behind square on the leg side.
How do I avoid getting a top edge on the pull shot?+
The top edge usually happens when the ball is higher than expected or the bat face opens up through the swing. Keep your eyes on the ball all the way to impact, try to hit through the top of the ball with a slightly downward bat face, and avoid reaching for deliveries that are rising above chest height — those should be hooked or left.
Can left-handed batters play the pull shot the same way?+
Yes, the mechanics are mirrored. A left-handed batter plays the pull shot to short deliveries aimed at the stumps or just outside leg, hitting the ball to the leg side (which is the off side of the pitch).