How To Play The Leg Glance In Cricket? Step-By-Step Guide In 2023

Cricket is one of the most popular sports in the world. It is also one of its most exciting and skillful shots is the leg glance. But do you know how to play the leg glance like Sachin Tendulkar?

The leg glance is a classic cricket shot that involves the batsman redirecting the ball off their pads toward the leg side of the field. It is a very difficult shot to master. Only a handful of iconic batsmen have ever executed this shot perfectly.

But it is very much possible to master this shot with the right guidance and dedicated practice. So, we have decided to come up with a comprehensive guide for this iconic shot. Without any further ado, let’s start!

What Is A Leg Glance?

A leg glance is a shot played by a batsman in which they redirect the ball off their pads, down towards the fine leg area of the field. A batsman needs an unconventional style to play these types of shots like leg glance and ramp shot.

It’s a delicate shot that requires precise timing and placement, as well as a good understanding of the line and length of the ball.

Origin Of The Leg Glance

The leg glance is a shot that has been around for centuries, and its exact origins are somewhat unclear. It is believed to have originated with classic shots like cover drives.

However, it is believed to have originated in England in the early days of cricket. In England, the pitch was often slow and low, making it difficult for batsmen to score runs.

The leg glance was one way that batsmen found to score runs by using the pace of the ball to redirect it toward the fine leg area.

Inventor And Popularizer Of The Leg Glance

The inventor of the leg glance is unknown. But it was certainly popularized by some of the great batsmen of the game.

One of the most famous exponents of the leg glance was Sir Donald Bradman, widely regarded as the greatest batsman of all time. Other notable players who popularized the shot include Brian Lara, Sachin Tendulkar, and Vivian Richards.

How To Play A Perfect Leg Glance?

Playing a perfect leg glance requires a combination of skill, timing, and placement. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to play the shot:

1. Get In Position: The batsman should get in position with their front foot pointing towards the bowler and their weight evenly distributed.
2. Read The Delivery: The batsman must read the line and length of the ball as early as possible to determine whether the ball is suitable for a leg glance.
3. Move The Front Foot: As the ball approaches, the batsman should move their front foot across and towards the leg side of the pitch to get in line with the ball.
4. Use The Wrist: The batsman should use their wrists to flick the ball off their pads toward the fine leg area.
5. Follow Through: The batsman must follow through with their shot, ensuring that their bat remains in a straight line and that they maintain their balance throughout the shot.

Deliveries Ideal For Leg Glance

The leg glance is a shot that is ideally played to deliveries that are bowled on a good length around the leg stump. It is perfect for a spin and also can be played against a pace ball.

The ball should be angled towards the leg side, giving the batsman the opportunity to redirect the ball towards the fine leg area.

Common Mistakes And Solutions

Here are some common mistakes that batsmen make when playing the leg glance, along with their solutions:

• Poor Footwork: Many batsmen struggle with their footwork when playing the leg glance, which can result in mistimed shots or even getting out.
  • Solution: Batsmen should focus on getting into the right position early, with their front foot moving towards the leg side of the pitch to get in line with the ball.
• Playing Too Early Or Too Late: Timing is crucial when playing the leg glance, and playing the shot too early or too late can lead to mistimed shots or even getting out.
  • Solution: Batsmen should practice their timing by watching the ball closely and getting into the right position early.
• Poor Use Of Wrists: The leg glance requires the batsman to use their wrists effectively to generate power and placement. Poor use of wrists can result in weak shots that don’t make it to the boundary.
  • Solution: Batsmen should practice their wristwork, focusing on using their wrists to flick the ball toward the fine leg area.
• Not Keeping The Bat Straight: It’s crucial to keep the bat straight when playing the leg glance, as any deviation from the straight line can result in mistimed shots.
  • Solution: Batsmen should focus on keeping their bat straight and following through with their shot to ensure that they maintain their balance throughout.
• Playing To The Wrong Ball: The leg glance is ideally played to deliveries that are bowled on a good length around the leg stump. Playing the shot to the wrong ball can result in mistimed shots or even getting out.
  • Solution: Batsmen should read the line and length of the ball early and determine whether the ball is suitable for a leg glance before attempting the shot.

By focusing on these common mistakes and their solutions, batsmen can improve their leg glance and become more effective at scoring runs with this classic cricketing shot.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yGyJuPSVQnQ

Best Batsmen Known For Their Leg Glance

Finally, here are five of the best batsmen known for their mastery of the leg glance:

1. Sir Donald Bradman: The greatest batsman of all time, Bradman was renowned for his ability to play the leg glance with incredible precision.
2. Brian Lara: The West Indian legend was another great exponent of the leg glance, often using it to score runs against even the most challenging bowling attacks.
3. Sachin Tendulkar: The Indian cricket icon and one of the most popular cricketers of all time was a master of all cricketing shots, including the leg glance. Tendulkar played the shot with a combination of grace and power, and it was one of his go-to strokes throughout his illustrious career.
4. Ricky Ponting: The former Australian batsman and one of the best cricket captains was known for his aggressive batting style, and the leg glance was a crucial part of his arsenal. Ponting’s ability to use the shot to score runs quickly was a major factor in his success as a batsman.
5. Kumar Sangakkara: The Sri Lankan legend was a technically proficient batsman, and his leg glance was a crucial part of his game. Sangakkara’s ability to time the ball perfectly and place it into gaps in the field made him a nightmare for opposing bowlers.

Final Note

The leg glance is a classic cricketing shot that requires precision, timing, and skill to execute correctly. It has been around for centuries, and some of the greatest batsmen in the game’s history have used it to great effect.

By following the steps outlined in this blog and practicing regularly, any batsman can add a leg glance to their arsenal of shots and become a more complete player.