Drives:

• The off drive is played to an over-pitched ball in line with the off stump or marginally outside.

• Like the forward defense, the left shoulder and elbow lead the body with the front foot going as close as possible to the pitch of the ball. The bat comes down in an arc from the top of the back lift and strikes the ball just in front of the left foot.

• After impact the bat must continue in the arc and finish over the left shoulder. The follow through can also be checked at shoulder height, keeping the bat face open.

• The head is kept straight and still throughout the shot and the top hand and elbow controls the direction of the shot. At the time of impact the head should be over the ball with the body weight balanced on the front foot. The full face of the bat must hit the ball and on completion, the batsman must be well balanced.

• When the ball is in the line of off stump, it can be hit either to the left or right of mid-off and if it is slightly wider, the front foot must move into the direction you want to play the shot, which may be to the left or right of covers. This is also called a cover drive.

• This shot is played exactly in the same way as an off drive but with the difference that the front foot must point down the wicket and the body must be turned slightly and the shoulders opened out to allow the free swing of the bat.

• Care must be taken to see that the full face of the bat moves down the line of the ball at impact.

• The on drive in played to a ball over-pitched on the leg stump.

• This has been considered to be a difficult shot to play. The basic principles of a drive apply here too, though the swing of the bat is an arc from slips to mid - on with both the feet pointing down the wicket.

• The front foot should be placed outside the line of the ball with the shoulders turned and the impact is just in front of the left toe. The follow through is generally checked below shoulder height.

• This is an effective attacking stroke and can be played from the crease or stepping down the wicket.

• Here also the front foot goes towards the pitch of the ball, but the impact is further away from the front toe.

• The head must not be lifted too early and the follow through must be full to help clear the inner circle of fielders.

• At the time of impact the body must be balanced on both feet and the tendency to transfer weight on to the back foot must be avoided. Whether lofting or driving along the ground, the eyes must always follow the ball all the way to the bat and the urge to see the direction of the ball must be controlled.