How to Play the Leg Glance Shot in Cricket
The leg glance redirects a ball angled into the body towards fine leg with a subtle deflection of the bat. It is one of the most elegant and effective scoring shots in a batter's arsenal.
The leg glance is played by angling the bat face towards fine leg as the ball arrives on or just outside leg stump, deflecting rather than driving the ball. Soft hands and weight transferred onto the front or back foot — depending on length — are the keys to timing it safely and scoring runs square or behind square on the leg side.
What Makes the Leg Glance Different
Unlike most attacking shots that drive through the line of the ball, the leg glance works against the ball’s direction. You are redirecting its momentum. That makes it feel effortless when done well, but punishing when mistimed — the same thin edge that sends the ball racing to the boundary can also find the wicketkeeper’s gloves.
The shot has a long history in Test cricket and is particularly effective against seam bowlers who target the body and in-swing deliveries that drift into the pads.
Footwork and Stance
Getting into position early is everything:
- Front-foot leg glance — for a full-length delivery. Step forward and across so your head moves towards the line of the ball, weight transferring onto the front foot. Keep the knee slightly bent.
- Back-foot leg glance — for a shorter ball angled into the body. Rock back and across, creating space to glance the ball behind square leg or down to fine leg.
In both cases, keep your head still and your eyes level.
Bat Angle and Hand Position
| Element | What to Do |
|---|---|
| Bat face | Open slightly, angled towards fine leg |
| Bottom hand | Relaxed grip — guides but doesn’t force |
| Top hand | Controls the angle; stays dominant through contact |
| Contact point | In front of the body, just outside off the pad |
| Follow-through | Low and controlled, pointing towards fine leg |
Resist the urge to flick with the wrists aggressively early in an innings. The softer the hands, the more control you retain.
Common Mistakes
Closing the face too early. If you roll the wrists before contact, the ball goes to mid-on or the square-leg fielder rather than behind square.
Swinging hard. The leg glance is a deflection, not a flick. Hard hitting causes mistimes and edges to the keeper.
Poor weight transfer. Falling away from the ball towards leg side takes the bat off line. Stay upright, head over the ball.
Playing too late. Contact should happen in front of the body. Letting the ball get alongside or past you reduces control dramatically.
Drills to Develop the Shot
- Throw-down practice — ask a partner to throw full-length deliveries into the body. Focus only on bat angle, not power.
- Cone placement — put a cone at fine leg and practice deliberately angling the ball towards it.
- Tee work — place a batting tee at pad height, practice the angled bat face without movement.
- Shadow batting — repeat the footwork and bat path in front of a mirror until the movement is automatic.
Reading the Bowler
The leg glance is most safely played when you have already picked the line early in the ball’s flight. Watch the seam position and wrist angle at release. An in-swinger aimed at middle stump is a prime candidate. Against spin, a leg glance works on a turning delivery that stays on the leg side, but beware the googly or the one that drifts further in — you can easily miss the line.
Quick summary: Set up early, angle the bat face toward fine leg, use soft hands, and make contact in front of the body. The leg glance rewards patience and punishes aggression — treat it as a redirection, not a swing.
Frequently asked questions
What is a leg glance in cricket?+
A leg glance is a deflection shot played against a ball aimed at or just outside the leg stump. The batter uses soft, angled hands to guide the ball through fine leg rather than hitting it hard.
When should you play the leg glance?+
Play the leg glance when the ball is full or just short of a length and angled into your body on the leg side. It works best against both pace and medium-pace bowling when the ball is too close to pull or drive.
Is the leg glance a risky shot?+
Yes — mistiming the leg glance can result in an edge to the wicketkeeper or a catch at fine leg. Good bat-to-pad coordination and soft hands are essential to execute it safely.