Recognise the bounce
Read length early enough to choose a back-foot response. The same pitch location can produce different bounce on different surfaces, so include the ball’s actual height in your decision.
Back-foot defence
Back-foot defence deals with a shorter delivery that does not offer a safe scoring opportunity. Create room to meet its bounce while staying balanced and watching the ball closely.
Loading the player connects to YouTube. The original video is in English; use the player’s settings for playback speed and available captions.
Watch on YouTubeWhat to watch for
Move without falling away
Observe whether your movement gives the bat space while keeping your head steady. Falling away from the line can make a defensive response less controlled.
Meet the ball at its height
Follow the ball onto the bat and watch the finish. Ask your coach to check the bat face and whether your hands are following the bounce rather than pushing blindly at it.
Common mistakes to review
Retreating for every delivery
Keep the option to come forward when the length changes.
Practising dangerous bounce
Use a suitable ball, protection and supervision; a beginner does not need fast bouncers to learn the movement.
How to review it in a session
Begin with a soft ball and a coach-controlled feed that produces manageable bounce. Compare a forward and a back-foot decision rather than treating all feeds as back-foot balls. Progress by changing the length, not by immediately increasing speed or using a hard ball.
A practice example
Your partner mixes a fuller feed with a shorter one. Record which movement you chose before recording the quality of contact. This separates reading the delivery from executing the stroke and shows whether the problem begins before the bat reaches the ball.
Take these questions to the nets.
- Was moving back appropriate for this bounce?
- Did my head stay steady through contact?
- Could I leave this delivery instead of playing it?
Independent practice notes by the DCA website team. Discuss changes to your technique with Coach Ravinder Singh.
Related techniques
- Batting grip and stanceRajasthan Royals Academy UK · Video lesson
- Front-foot defenceRajasthan Royals Academy UK · Video lesson
- Running between wicketsRajasthan Royals Academy UK · Guide + related video
Your practice card
Back-foot defence
Name / date
Was moving back appropriate for this bounce?
Did my head stay steady through contact?
Could I leave this delivery instead of playing it?
What did I try and what happened?
Coach’s feedback and next step
https://dehraduncricketacademy.com/learn/back-foot-defence/