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[mattw]

It's something I want to bring into my game as I'm quite strong on the leg-side. I've been trying it off the spinners in the nets and I just can't work out when it's best to play. As the majority of the time i'm sweeping the balls that are on the stumps, so if I miss there's a strong chance of lbw.

Should I look to play the sweep when it's not inline the stumps, or?

[roco]

Don't pre meditate the sweep as can get you into big trouble but can play it from anywhere but should be easier from straight as ball closer to you but buzz will prob say the opposite knowing him lol

[Colesy]

I always sweep offies/non-spinners from outside off. Get a stride in, high backlift and look to time the ball as opposed to smash it. Rolling the wrists also reduces the risk of getting out but watching the ball is as important to any other shot.

[procricket]

i like to paddle sweep from up to down

watch the ball i tend not to sweep a streight one but play it off length over line

[Maverick79]

I only really sweep if it's drifting down leg or if I want to pick it up from outside off occasionally. I try and 'pick' the ball out of the hand to reduce some of the risk in the shot. If it's pitching on the stumps (off spinner) and turning then the length of the ball that you will be sweeping and the path of the ball should rule out the possibility of lbw. Obviously you would have to be careful of the arm ball. I tend not to sweep a leggie unless it is pitching outside leg but others may do.

[procricket]

I think some people try to hit it too hard mate instead of guiding it

[ProWannabe88]

I had this problem when i was younger and my old coach had me sweeping every possible ball in nets practice. Thos showed me what feliveries i could and couldnt sweep. It really worked as well because now i can do it well off spin and seam. I'm probably wrong in saying this mate but when I sweep either against pace or spin I always get my front foot outside the line (just a little) to open my body. that helps me sweep, I never tend to do it directly over my pad as instructed, I find it easier to keep low and just give myself a bit more room. Then again if it's a slog sweep the foot just plants in line and it's an up and under bash  

[johan95]

I only really sweep if it's drifting down leg or if I want to pick it up from outside off occasionally. I try and 'pick' the ball out of the hand to reduce some of the risk in the shot. If it's pitching on the stumps (off spinner) and turning then the length of the ball that you will be sweeping and the path of the ball should rule out the possibility of lbw. Obviously you would have to be careful of the arm ball. I tend not to sweep a leggie unless it is pitching outside leg but others may do.

I've been told to sweep it from when it's on my legs. I PMd Buzz about this a while back, will sift through the PMs and try and dig up an answer. I think you have to do a lot of practice, start with tennis balls and work your way up though. Only sweep I've ever played is a slog sweep, 1st ball to a spinner, just saw it and was like - "none of that mate!" = 1 bounce four and me happy as larry

[Maverick79]

Then again if it's a slog sweep the foot just plants in line and it's an up and under bash

Might have to give the up and under bash a go myself this season 

[roco]

I tend to only sweep when looking for the big shot otherwise I use my feet and get to the pitch buts that's little old me

[johan95]

Buzz's Answer:

you usually play the sweep based on the length of the ball, then the line will govern the direction you hit the ball, usually the further down leg side the ball is, the finer you sweep the ball - the best way to work out the length that works for you is to get an old tennis ball or two and find somewhere where you can get on one knee - ie in position to hit the sweep - and lob the ball up and practice hitting the ball into the fence, you can then work out different lines as well as lengths. If you have a hard net based on concrete you can use and old cricket ball too.

I don't play the sweep much, but enjoy that practice as it is you can learn to direct the ball high and low, fine and square as well as controlling how hard you hit the ball.

hope that helps

Hope that helps you in turn

[slogsweep]

One of my favorite shots the slog sweep but i like to play it off quicker bowlers. However the guys on here have pretty much summed it up.

Word of warning. Umpires are inclined to give you leg before purely on the shot regardless of where its pitched or hit. For some reason they don't like it and makes them trigger happy. (In my 15 years experience)

[100 not out]

a la Mal Loye?

[Buzz]

Don't pre meditate the sweep as can get you into big trouble but can play it from anywhere but should be easier from straight as ball closer to you but buzz will prob say the opposite knowing him lol

Roco - I totally agree with the premeditate bit - the length that suits you, in my opinion you may have to work out with practice

the below is the textbook answer...

Buzz's Answer:

you usually play the sweep based on the length of the ball, then the line will govern the direction you hit the ball, usually the further down leg side the ball is, the finer you sweep the ball - the best way to work out the length that works for you is to get an old tennis ball or two and find somewhere where you can get on one knee - ie in position to hit the sweep - and lob the ball up and practice hitting the ball into the fence, you can then work out different lines as well as lengths. If you have a hard net based on concrete you can use and old cricket ball too.

I don't play the sweep much, but enjoy that practice as it is you can learn to direct the ball high and low, fine and square as well as controlling how hard you hit the ball.

hope that helps

[roco]

I see so many pre meditate the sweep then have no where to go and look awful but then again I don't look pretty when playing