ARMAGH CRICKET CLUB ACADEMY - The Complete Guide To Cricket Fielding Positions
The Complete Guide To Cricket Fielding Positions
From Slip to Fine Leg: Understanding the Geography of Cricket
Introduction
Every cricketer remembers a time when fielding positions sounded like a foreign language. Slip, Gully, Point, Mid-Off, Cow Corner, Fine Leg…
To experienced players these names are familiar, but to newcomers they can seem confusing, unusual and sometimes even amusing.
The good news is that understanding fielding positions is much easier than it first appears.
Every position has a purpose.
Every position requires different skills.
And every position contributes to the success of the team.
Whether you are a junior player, parent, coach, volunteer or someone taking your first steps into cricket, this guide will help you understand where players stand, what they do and why these positions matter.
Working Out the Cricket Fielding Positions
The names of cricket fielding positions can be confusing at first, but once you understand the basics of cricket and how fielders are positioned on the pitch, it all starts to make sense.
The key is to remember that each name corresponds to a specific area on the field in relation to the batsman.
One word refers to the fielder’s position in relation to the batsman. These words include:
Leg
Cover
Mid-Wicket
Point
The position of the fielder is usually preceded by an adjective that describes the distance from the batsman:
Silly (very close)
Short (quite close)
Mid (Midway between the boundary and batsman)
Long (close to the boundary)
Deep (close to the boundary)
Their angle can further describe the position and distance of the fielder to the batsman. These terms include:
Square (in line with the crease)
Backward (behind the square and batsman)
Forward (in front of the square and batsman)
Wide (far from an imaginary line bisecting the stumps)
Fine (close to an imaginary line bisecting the stumps)
FIELDING POSITIONS
BEHIND THE WICKET
🏏 Wicketkeeper
Where Is It?
Directly behind the stumps at the batter’s end.
What Does It Do?
Collects deliveries, takes catches, completes stumpings and supports bowlers.
Skills Required
✓ Concentration
✓ Agility
✓ Safe hands
✓ Communication
Academy Character
The Guardian
The only player with a perfect view of every ball.
🏏 First Slip
Where Is It?
Beside the wicketkeeper on the off side.
What Does It Do?
Catches edges from fast bowlers.
Skills Required
✓ Lightning reactions
✓ Concentration
✓ Excellent catching
Academy Character
The Hunter
Patient, alert and always ready.
🏏 Second Slip
Where Is It?
Beside First Slip.
What Does It Do?
Catches thicker edges travelling wider than First Slip.
Skills Required
✓ Safe hands
✓ Anticipation
✓ Teamwork
Academy Character
The Partner
Working together with the slip cordon.
🏏 Third Slip
Where Is It?
Beside Second Slip.
What Does It Do?
Covers wider edges.
Skills Required
✓ Patience
✓ Reliable catching
✓ Awareness
Academy Character
The Watchful One
Ready when the unexpected happens.
🏏 Fourth Slip
Where Is It?
Beside Third Slip.
What Does It Do?
Extends the catching cordon.
Skills Required
✓ Concentration
✓ Safe hands
✓ Discipline
Academy Character
The Specialist
Part of an attacking fielding plan.
🏏 Fifth Slip
Where Is It?
The outermost slip fielder.
What Does It Do?
Protects the widest edges.
Skills Required
✓ Patience
✓ Catching
✓ Positioning
Academy Character
The Long Shot
Not always busy, but important when needed.
🏏 Leg Slip
Where Is It?
Behind the batter on the leg side.
What Does It Do?
Catches glances and leg-side deflections.
Skills Required
✓ Reflexes
✓ Awareness
✓ Catching
Academy Character
The Specialist
Often used for a very specific plan.
🏏 Third Man
Where Is It?
Near the boundary behind the slips.
What Does It Do?
Stops edges reaching the boundary.
Skills Required
✓ Anticipation
✓ Throwing
✓ Catching
Academy Character
The Insurance Policy
You may not notice Third Man until you need them.
🏏 Fine Leg
Where Is It?
Behind square on the leg side.
What Does It Do?
Stops glances and fine deflections.
Skills Required
✓ Speed
✓ Awareness
✓ Reliable fielding
Academy Character
The Safety Net
Quietly preventing valuable runs.
🏏 Long Leg
Where Is It?
Near the boundary behind square leg.
What Does It Do?
Protects against pull shots and hooks.
Skills Required
✓ Boundary awareness
✓ Strong throwing
✓ Catching
Academy Character
The Rear Guard
Always protecting the team from behind.
CLOSE CATCHING POSITIONS
🏏 Gully
Where Is It?
Between Slip and Point.
What Does It Do?
Catches hard-hit edges.
Skills Required
✓ Sharp reflexes
✓ Athleticism
✓ Strong hands
Academy Character
The Opportunist
Things happen quickly here.
🏏 Leg Gully
Where Is It?
Between Leg Slip and Square Leg.
What Does It Do?
Catches leg-side deflections.
Skills Required
✓ Awareness
✓ Quick reactions
✓ Anticipation
Academy Character
The Ambusher
Waiting patiently for one opportunity.
🏏 Silly Point
Where Is It?
Very close on the off side.
What Does It Do?
Creates catches from defensive shots.
Skills Required
✓ Courage
✓ Concentration
✓ Reflexes
Academy Character
The Fearless One
Not for the faint-hearted.
🏏 Silly Mid-Off
Where Is It?
Close to the batter on the off side.
What Does It Do?
Creates pressure and catching opportunities.
Skills Required
✓ Bravery
✓ Awareness
✓ Fast reactions
Academy Character
The Challenger
Always in the batter’s eyeline.
🏏 Silly Mid-On
Where Is It?
Close to the batter on the leg side.
What Does It Do?
Looks for catches from defensive shots.
Skills Required
✓ Courage
✓ Focus
✓ Reactions
Academy Character
The Intimidator
Close enough to influence every ball.
🏏 Short Leg
Where Is It?
Close on the leg side.
What Does It Do?
Catches bat-pad chances.
Skills Required
✓ Courage
✓ Reflexes
✓ Concentration
Academy Character
The Braveheart
One of cricket’s toughest positions.
🏏 Backward Short Leg
Where Is It?
Slightly behind square on the leg side.
What Does It Do?
Catches gloved or deflected shots.
Skills Required
✓ Awareness
✓ Courage
✓ Reactions
Academy Character
The Shadow
Close enough to strike when least expected.
OFF SIDE INFIELD
🏏 Point
Where Is It?
Square on the off side.
What Does It Do?
Stops cut shots and singles.
Skills Required
✓ Speed
✓ Agility
✓ Throwing
Academy Character
The Wall
Saving runs through athletic fielding.
🏏 Backward Point
Where Is It?
Behind Point.
What Does It Do?
Protects against late cuts.
Skills Required
✓ Quick movement
✓ Strong arm
✓ Anticipation
Academy Character
The Interceptor
Cutting off scoring routes.
🏏 Cover Point
Where Is It?
Between Point and Cover.
What Does It Do?
Stops square drives.
Skills Required
✓ Agility
✓ Awareness
✓ Throwing
Academy Character
The Link
Connecting two important areas.
🏏 Cover
Where Is It?
Between Point and Mid-Off.
What Does It Do?
Stops drives.
Skills Required
✓ Athleticism
✓ Balance
✓ Throwing
Academy Character
The Artist
Home of some of cricket’s most beautiful shots.
🏏 Extra Cover
Where Is It?
Between Cover and Mid-Off.
What Does It Do?
Protects the drive.
Skills Required
✓ Speed
✓ Positioning
✓ Reliable fielding
Academy Character
The Gatekeeper
Protecting a favourite scoring area.
🏏 Short Cover
Where Is It?
Closer to the batter than Cover.
What Does It Do?
Creates pressure and catching opportunities.
Skills Required
✓ Awareness
✓ Reflexes
✓ Communication
Academy Character
The Pressure Builder
Never allowing batters to relax.
🏏 Mid-Off
Where Is It?
In front of the batter on the off side.
What Does It Do?
Stops straight drives and supports the captain.
Skills Required
✓ Leadership
✓ Communication
✓ Reliable fielding
Academy Character
The Lieutenant
The captain’s trusted ally.
LEG SIDE INFIELD
🏏 Square Leg
Where Is It?
Square on the leg side.
What Does It Do?
Stops leg-side scoring shots.
Skills Required
✓ Awareness
✓ Agility
✓ Communication
Academy Character
The Watcher
Perfectly placed to observe the game.
🏏 Backward Square Leg
Where Is It?
Behind Square Leg.
What Does It Do?
Protects glances and deflections.
Skills Required
✓ Speed
✓ Positioning
✓ Throwing
Academy Character
The Tracker
Following the ball wherever it goes.
🏏 Midwicket
Where Is It?
Between Square Leg and Mid-On.
What Does It Do?
Stops powerful leg-side strokes.
Skills Required
✓ Athleticism
✓ Catching
✓ Throwing
Academy Character
The Run Collector
A busy place in club cricket.
🏏 Short Midwicket
Where Is It?
Closer to the batter than Midwicket.
What Does It Do?
Creates pressure and catches mistimed shots.
Skills Required
✓ Reflexes
✓ Awareness
✓ Communication
Academy Character
The Enforcer
Always applying pressure.
🏏 Mid-On
Where Is It?
In front of the batter on the leg side.
What Does It Do?
Protects straight leg-side shots.
Skills Required
✓ Leadership
✓ Communication
✓ Reliable fielding
Academy Character
The Deputy
Supporting both captain and bowler.
DEEP OFF SIDE POSITIONS
🏏 Deep Point
Where Is It?
Near the boundary behind Point.
What Does It Do?
Stops powerful square shots.
Skills Required
✓ Speed
✓ Catching
✓ Strong throwing
Academy Character
The Guardian
Protecting the rope.
🏏 Deep Cover
Where Is It?
Near the boundary in front of Point.
What Does It Do?
Stops attacking drives.
Skills Required
✓ Athleticism
✓ Throwing
✓ Judgement
Academy Character
The Patrol Officer
Always alert.
🏏 Deep Extra Cover
Where Is It?
Near the boundary beyond Extra Cover.
What Does It Do?
Protects against lofted drives.
Skills Required
✓ Catching
✓ Awareness
✓ Boundary skills
Academy Character
The Protector
Standing between the batter and four runs.
🏏 Sweeper Cover
Where Is It?
Deep on the off side.
What Does It Do?
Cuts off boundaries and easy twos.
Skills Required
✓ Fitness
✓ Ground coverage
✓ Throwing strength
Academy Character
The Patrol Leader
Covering a huge amount of territory.
🏏 Long Off
Where Is It?
Directly behind the bowler on the off side boundary.
What Does It Do?
Protects against lofted straight drives.
Skills Required
✓ Catching
✓ Throwing
✓ Positioning
Academy Character
The Boundary Guard
Ready when batters go aerial.
DEEP LEG SIDE POSITIONS
🏏 Long On
Where Is It?
Directly behind the bowler on the leg side boundary.
What Does It Do?
Protects against big straight hits.
Skills Required
✓ Catching
✓ Awareness
✓ Strong arm
Academy Character
The Sentinel
Standing watch over a danger zone.
🏏 Deep Midwicket
Where Is It?
Near the boundary between Midwicket and Long On.
What Does It Do?
Stops powerful leg-side shots.
Skills Required
✓ Athleticism
✓ Catching
✓ Throwing
Academy Character
The Enforcer
Patrolling a favourite target area for big hitters.
🏏 Cow Corner
Where Is It?
Deep on the leg side between Midwicket and Long On.
What Does It Do?
Protects against powerful cross-batted shots.
Skills Required
✓ Boundary awareness
✓ Catching
✓ Courage
Academy Character
The Maverick
Expect the unexpected.
🏏 Deep Square Leg
Where Is It?
Near the boundary behind Square Leg.
What Does It Do?
Stops pulls and sweeps.
Skills Required
✓ Speed
✓ Catching
✓ Throwing
Academy Character
The Shield
Protecting one of cricket’s busiest regions.
🏏 Deep Fine Leg
Where Is It?
Near the boundary behind Fine Leg.
What Does It Do?
Stops fine deflections and hook shots.
Skills Required
✓ Awareness
✓ Speed
✓ Strong throwing
Academy Character
The Last Line
Often the final barrier before the boundary.
WHICH POSITION SUITS YOU?
The Hunters
If you love taking catches:
First Slip
Second Slip
Gully
Leg Slip
The Athletes
If you enjoy covering ground and diving stops:
Point
Cover
Backward Point
Deep Cover
The Boundary Riders
If you have a strong throwing arm:
Long On
Long Off
Deep Midwicket
Deep Square Leg
The Bravehearts
If you don’t mind standing close to the action:
Silly Point
Short Leg
Silly Mid-On
Silly Mid-Off
The Organisers
If you enjoy helping teammates and communicating:
Mid-Off
Mid-On
Square Leg
The All-Rounders
If you can do a bit of everything:
Midwicket
Cover
Point
FAQs
Why Is It Called Silly Point?
Because standing so close to a batter facing a hard cricket ball was once considered slightly “silly.”
Why Is It Called Cow Corner?
One popular theory suggests that mishit shots often travelled towards the area where livestock grazed on village grounds.
Why Is It Called Third Man?
Despite centuries of cricket history, nobody is entirely sure. It remains one of the game’s great mysteries.
Is Fine Leg Actually Fine?
Only cricket could make a fielding position sound quite so polite.
Which Position Takes The Most Courage?
Most players would nominate:
Short Leg
Silly Point
Silly Mid-On
What do you think?
Which Position Is The Loneliest?
Candidates include:
Third Man
Long Leg
Deep Fine Leg
Especially when the ball keeps going somewhere else!
FINAL THOUGHTS
Every fielding position tells a story.
Some demand bravery.
Some require patience.
Some reward athleticism.
Some rely on anticipation and concentration.
Together they form the geography of cricket.
Whether you are a Hunter in the slips, a Wall at point, a Sentinel on the boundary or a Braveheart at short leg, every position plays a vital role in the success of the team.
The challenge is not deciding which position is best.
The challenge is discovering which position brings out the best in you.
And remember:
Wherever the captain sends you, make it your position.
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