fielding beginner

Basic Fielding Positions

Understand common fielding positions in cricket. Knowing them helps you move to the right spot.

1 min read 15 min practice
Basic Fielding Positions
Table of Contents
  1. The two sides
  2. Close positions
  3. Infield positions
  4. Boundary positions
  5. Why placement changes
  6. Step-by-Step Instructions
  7. Important Tips
  8. Common Mistakes

Fielding positions are named relative to the batter, so they flip when a left-hander is on strike. Learning the common ones makes captaincy and commentary far easier to follow.

The two sides

The off side is the side the batter faces. The leg side, also called the on side, is behind them. Every position name sits on one of those two halves.

Close positions

  • Slip — beside the wicket-keeper, catching edges. There can be several.
  • Gully — wider than slip, for thicker edges.
  • Short leg — very close on the leg side, for bat-pad catches.
  • Point — square on the off side, saving the cut.

Infield positions

  • Cover — off side, in front of square, one of the busiest positions.
  • Mid-off and mid-on — either side of the bowler, stopping straight drives.
  • Square leg — level with the batter on the leg side.
  • Mid-wicket — leg side, between square leg and mid-on.

Boundary positions

Third man, fine leg, deep cover, long-off, long-on and deep mid-wicket sit near the rope to stop fours. Which of them are used depends on the format and the field restrictions in force.

Why placement changes

Fields are set for the bowler’s plan. An attacking field has more catchers close in; a defensive field pushes players out to save singles and boundaries.

Step-by-Step Instructions

  1. 1Learn the positions close to the batsman, like slip.
  2. 2Learn the positions in the ring, like cover and mid-on.
  3. 3Learn the positions on the boundary, like long-on.
  4. 4Watch where the captain places fielders.
  5. 5Move quickly to your set position each ball.

Important Tips

  • Stay ready on your toes before each ball.
  • Watch the batsman and the ball together.

Common Mistakes

  • Standing flat-footed.
  • Losing focus between balls.

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