The Arm Ball in Cricket: An Off-Spinner's Straight Variation
The arm ball is an off-spin variation that does not turn but goes straight through with the arm. Learn the grip, when it is used, and how it takes wickets.
What Is the Arm Ball?
The arm ball is a variation from off-spin or slow left-arm orthodox bowling that goes straight on rather than turning. For an off-spinner bowling to a right-handed batter, the ball normally turns from off to leg. The arm ball looks the same from the hand but skids straight through — or slightly moves with the arm (hence the name).
Why It Takes Wickets
Batters facing off-spin develop a habit of covering for the turn — angling their bat slightly to allow for the spin toward leg. When the arm ball comes through straight, it crashes into the top of off stump (the batter covered for turn that never happened) or strikes the pad for an LBW (the batter played across the line expecting the ball to miss the stumps).
Spotting the Arm Ball
An off-spinner bowling an arm ball typically holds their wrist slightly more upright rather than angled for off-spin. Some arm balls have the seam facing the batter (like a seamer), which gives less grip for the spinner's usual off-side cut. Experienced batters watch the wrist position closely, but a well-disguised arm ball is nearly impossible to detect.
Frequently asked questions
Which direction does the arm ball go?
The arm ball from an off-spinner goes straight through or moves very slightly with the arm (away from the right-handed batter) — the opposite of the off-break which turns in from off to leg.
Can the arm ball be bowled by leg-spinners?
The arm ball is primarily an off-spin and slow left-arm variation. Leg-spinners have the wrong-un and top-spinner as their straight-on alternatives rather than an arm ball.