by You’re watching a cricket match, and the commentator shouts, “What a beautiful shot into the off side for four!” You nod along, but inside you’re wondering — what exactly is the off side?
If you’ve ever been confused about leg side and off side in cricket, you’re not alone. These terms are fundamental to understanding cricket, yet they can seem mysterious to beginners.
According to The Sports Glory, mastering these concepts is the first step to truly appreciating the game’s strategy.
Here’s the simple truth: The cricket field is divided into two halves — the leg side (also called the on side) and the off side. The batsman’s stance determines which side is which.
Difference Between Leg Side and Off Side in Cricket
Understanding this helps you follow shot selections, fielding positions, and game tactics.
Let’s break it down in the simplest way possible, so even a complete beginner can master this cricket fundamental.
Understanding the Basics: What Is Leg Side in Cricket?
What is leg side in cricket? It’s the side of the field that’s behind the batsman’s legs when they’re facing the bowler.
Simple explanation:
- Stand like a batsman holding a bat
- The side where your legs are pointing = Leg side
- The side where you’re looking/facing = Off side
But here’s the catch — this changes based on whether the batsman is right-handed or left-handed!
Basic Comparison Table
| Side | Direction (for right-hander) | Direction (for left-hander) | Also Called |
|---|---|---|---|
| Leg Side | Left of batsman | Right of batsman | On Side |
| Off Side | Right of batsman | Left of batsman | Off Side |
Key point: The batsman’s stance determines everything. A right-hander’s leg side becomes a left-hander’s off side, and vice versa.
Leg Side and Off Side for Right Hand Batsmen
Most cricket batsmen are right-handed, so let’s start here.
For a right-handed batsman:
- Leg side = Left side of the batsman (behind the legs)
- Off side = Right side of the batsman (in front, where they face)
Famous Shots on Each Side
Leg side shots for right-handed batsmen:
- Pull Shot — Ball bouncing short, hit to mid-wicket
- Hook Shot — Bouncer pulled behind square leg
- Flick/Glance — Gentle deflection fine down leg side
- On Drive — Straight drive on the leg side
- Sweep — Hitting a spinner to square leg
Off side shots for right-handed batsmen:
- Cover Drive — Classic shot through covers
- Square Cut — Ball wide, cut behind the point
- Late Cut — Delicate shot past slip
- Straight Drive — Down the ground past the bowler
- Off Drive — Driven through mid-off
Fielding Positions
Common leg side positions:
- Fine Leg
- Square Leg
- Mid-Wicket
- Leg Slip (rare)
Common off side positions:
- Slip
- Gully
- Point
- Cover
- Mid-Off
Understanding leg side for a right handed batsman helps you predict where the ball will go based on the shot played.
Leg Side and Off Side for Left Hand Batsman
Now let’s flip everything around for left-handers.
For a left-handed batsman:
- Leg side = Right side of the batsman (behind the legs)
- Off side = Left side of the batsman (in front, where they face)
This is why commentators always specify “for the left-hander” when describing field positions. What’s leg side for a right-hander becomes off side for a left-hander!
Quick Comparison: Right vs Left Batsman
| Aspect | Right-Hand Batsman | Left-Hand Batsman |
|---|---|---|
| Leg Side | Left side of field | Right side of field |
| Off Side | Right side of field | Left side of field |
| Cover Drive direction | Right of pitch | Left of pitch |
| Pull Shot direction | Left of pitch | Right of pitch |
Example: When Rohit Sharma (right-hander) plays a cover drive, it goes to his right. When Rishabh Pant (left-hander) plays the same shot, it goes to his left — but both are “off side” shots!
Understanding leg side and off side for left hand batsman is crucial because fielding positions change completely when a left-hander comes to bat.
On Side and Off Side in Cricket: Are They the Same?
You might hear commentators use different terms. Let’s clear this up.
“On side” = “Leg side” — They’re the same thing!
Why two names?
- “Leg side” is more common and descriptive
- “On side” is traditional cricket terminology
- Both refer to the side behind the batsman’s legs
Examples in commentary:
- “Beautiful on drive” = Drive on the leg side
- “Leg glance for four” = Deflection on the leg/on the side
- “On side field packed” = Many fielders on the leg side
Off side doesn’t have an alternative name — it’s always called the off side.
So when you hear on side and off side in cricket, just remember: on side = leg side, and you’re good to go!
Stump Leg Side and Off Side in Cricket
The division between leg and off side isn’t random. It’s determined by an imaginary line.
How it works:
- Draw an imaginary line from the middle stump straight down the pitch
- Everything on one side = Leg side
- Everything on the other = Off side
Division Reference Table
| Reference Point | Division Explanation |
|---|---|
| Middle Stump Line | Separates Leg Side and Off Side |
| Left of Line (for Right-Hander) | Leg Side |
| Right of Line (for Right-Hander) | Off Side |
| Ball pitching on stumps | Can be hit to either side |
Why this matters:
- Umpires use this line to judge wides
- Bowlers aim to hit this line for accuracy
- Batsmen use it to decide which shot to play
Understanding stump leg side and off side in cricket helps you see why certain balls are called wide and why batsmen move across their stumps.
Fielding Rules: How Many Fielders Can Be on Each Side
Cricket has specific rules about fielding positions, especially on the leg side.
The key rule: Only 2 fielders are allowed behind the square on the leg side.
Why this rule exists:
- Prevents negative bowling tactics
- Stops teams from packing the leg side to frustrate batsmen
- Makes the game more entertaining
Fielding Restrictions Table
| Rule | Leg Side | Off Side |
|---|---|---|
| Max Fielders Behind Square | 2 | No Limit |
| Typical Field Positions | Square Leg, Fine Leg, Mid-Wicket | Point, Cover, Slip, Gully |
| Risk of Wide Balls | High (if bowled too straight) | Low |
| Common in T20s | Attacking fields | Defensive rings |
Strategic implications:
How many fielders can be on leg side in cricket?
- Maximum 5 out of 9 fielders in limited overs (excluding bowler and keeper)
- But only 2 behind square on leg side
- In Tests, captains can use more creative fields
How many fielders can be on off side in cricket?
- No specific limit on total fielders
- No restriction on fielders behind square
- Common to have 6-7 fielders on off side against new batsmen
Captains must be strategic. Too many fielders on leg side = risk of wide balls. Too many on off side = gaps for leg-side shots.
Why Knowing Leg Side and Off Side Matters?
Understanding these concepts is essential for everyone involved in cricket.
For Batsmen
Shot selection depends on:
- Where the ball is pitched
- Which side has gaps in the field
- Personal strengths (some players are stronger on one side)
Example: If the off side is packed with fielders, a smart batsman targets the leg side.
For Captains
Field placement strategy:
- Set fields based on the batsman’s weakness
- Exploit conditions (e.g., leg side on turning pitches)
- Adapt to different formats (defensive off side in Tests, attacking leg side in T20s)
For Commentators and Fans
Better understanding of:
- Shot descriptions (“edged to the slips” — that’s off side!)
- Fielding changes (“bringing in a third man” — off side position)
- Bowling plans (“bowling to the field” means targeting where fielders are placed)
When you know what is leg side in cricket, the entire game makes more sense!
Fun Fact Table: Famous Leg Side vs Off Side Players
Different players have different strengths. Here are some modern stars and their stronger sides:
| Player | Stronger Side | Signature Shot |
|---|---|---|
| Rohit Sharma | Off Side | Cover Drive |
| Virat Kohli | Leg Side | Flick Shot |
| Brian Lara | Off Side | Late Cut |
| Hardik Pandya | Leg Side | Pull Shot |
| Babar Azam | Off Side | Straight Drive |
| Kane Williamson | Leg Side | Work through mid-wicket |
| Steve Smith | Leg Side | Unconventional flicks |
Interesting pattern: Off-side players are often classical stroke-makers, while leg-side specialists tend to be aggressive shot-players.
Frequently Asked Questions:
- Q1. What is leg side in cricket?
The leg side is the part of the cricket field behind the batsman’s legs when they’re facing the bowler. For right-handers, it’s the left side; for left-handers, it’s the right side.
- Q2. How many fielders can be on leg side in cricket?
Only 2 fielders are allowed behind the square on the leg side. This rule prevents negative bowling tactics and keeps the game fair.
- Q3. Is on side and leg side the same?
Yes! “On side” and “leg side” are two names for the exact same thing — the side of the field behind the batsman’s legs.
- Q4. How is leg side different for left-hand batsman?
For a left-handed batsman, the leg side is on their right (opposite of right-handers). Everything flips based on which hand the batsman uses.
- Q5. What determines stump leg side and off side in cricket?
An imaginary line from the middle stump divides the field. One side is leg side, the other is off side, based on the batsman’s stance.
- Q6. How many fielders can be on off side in cricket?
There’s no limit on how many fielders can be on the off side, and no restriction on how many can be behind square.
- Q7. Which side is better to score runs?
Neither is inherently better. It depends on the bowler, field placement, pitch conditions, and the batsman’s strengths.
- Q8. Why do commentators always specify right or left-handed batsmen?
Because the leg and off sides completely flip depending on the batsman’s hand. What’s leg side for a right-hander is off side for a left-hander!
Summary: Simplifying the Difference
Let’s wrap it all up in the simplest terms possible:
Leg Side:
- The side behind the batsman’s legs
- Also called “on side”
- Limited fielding rules apply
- Common shots: pull, hook, flick, sweep
Off Side:
- The side the batsman faces
- Where traditional shots are played
- No fielding restrictions
- Common shots: drive, cut, defensive push
Memory Trick for Beginners
Here’s an easy way to remember:
“Leg side is where your legs are closer, off side is where your eyes are focused!”
Or think of it this way:
- Leg = Behind your legs
- Off = Where you’re looking off to
Once you understand these basics, cricket becomes so much easier to follow. You’ll know exactly what commentators mean, where fielders should be, and why certain shots are played to certain areas.
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