Isn’t it the best feeling when you strike the ball using the sweetest part of the bat? Learning the square drive was a treat, wasn’t it? After today’s blog post, you will have everything you need to know to perfect the amazing square cut. It’s time we get started.

We hope you enjoyed the last blog post on the technique for playing the best square drive. In today’s blog post, we practise how to master the basics of the square cut. Compared to the square drive, the square cut is generally played on the back foot. Essentially, a square cut is a stroke for deliveries that are pitched short and outside the off stump.

Just like the square drive, ensure you read the nature and bounce of the wicket. The key to perfect the technique for the square cut is to extend your arms. The top hand generates the power, while the bottom hand is merely involved to guide the ball.

If you notice the ball is angled towards the stumps, it’s a wise idea not to play the square cut. This is because you might feel cramped as there is no room on the off side.

The 4 most essential things to play the square cut are:

1. Length of the delivery
2. Line of the delivery
3. Full extension of arms
4. Pace of the delivery

Square cut on spin bowling

The technique for the square cut will differ when you face a spin bowler. For a left-handed off-spin bowler the technique stays the same – good balance on both feet, give enough room near the off stump and strike the ball between the point fielders. Most importantly, do not forget to extend your arms.

Next comes playing the square cut to a left-handed leg spin bowler. Now, for deliveries outside the off stump, it’s more or less easy to play the square cut. On the contrary, leg spin deliveries are angled towards the stumps. Therefore, in order to avoid getting cramped for room, give yourself the space to extend your arms to play the square cut.

As for the next blog post, we talk about the in-swinger and the out-swinger in fast bowling.