The Leg Glance: Using the Ball's Own Pace to Score Behind Square
The leg glance — a deflection shot that redirects the ball from the leg stump line to fine leg or backward square leg using minimal bat swing — the technique for controlling the angle of deflection, when a leg glance is preferable to a flick or sweep, why the leg glance is one of the most economical shots in cricket, and the fielding positions that specifically aim to stop it.
The Glance Defined
The leg glance is a shot played to a delivery on or just outside leg stump — the batsman allows the ball to arrive, then deflects it behind square on the leg side (toward fine leg or backward square leg) using the angle of the bat face rather than any significant swing of the bat. The shot uses the ball's own momentum rather than generating power: the bat is held at an angle that redirects the ball, much as a snooker cushion redirects a ball without adding energy to it. The glance is played off the back foot (for shorter deliveries) or the front foot (for full deliveries), and can send the ball to fine leg, backward square, or — with a more aggressive deflection angle — to square leg.
Controlling the Angle
The critical skill of the leg glance is controlling where the deflection goes. A closed bat face (angled more toward fine leg) sends the ball finer — more toward backward fine leg or fine leg. An open bat face (angled more toward square leg) sends the ball squarer — more toward square leg or backward square leg. The batsman uses this face-angle adjustment to direct the ball into gaps in the leg-side field. Against pace bowling, the speed of the ball arriving gives the glance its power; the batsman barely needs to hit the ball — the pace does the work. Against spin, the glance requires slightly more contact (the ball arrives slower), and the control of the face angle is even more important to avoid sending the ball to a fielder.
When the Glance Is the Right Choice
The leg glance is appropriate when the ball is directed at leg stump or just outside — a line that prevents the batsman from hitting to the off side without being forced across the line. The alternatives for such a delivery: leave it (but a ball hitting leg stump cannot be left), play a straight defensive (but this brings LBW risk), play a flick (requires more bat swing and power commitment), or play a glance (uses the ball's own pace, minimal risk). The glance is particularly valuable in Test cricket against bowlers bowling a leg-stump line to restrict scoring — the glance exploits a leg-stump line by turning it into scoring opportunities that the bowler's line was designed to prevent.
Frequently asked questions
Is the leg glance the same as a flick?
The leg glance and the flick are related but distinct shots. The glance is primarily a deflection — minimal swing, using the ball's own pace, sending the ball finer (more toward fine leg). The flick is a more powered shot — a wrist or forearm rotation that propels the ball more squarely (toward midwicket or square leg). The flick generates its own power through bat swing and wrist roll; the glance relies on the ball's momentum. A glance to a ball at 90mph requires no power from the batsman; the same ball flicked to midwicket requires significant wrist commitment. The risk profile differs accordingly: the glance is lower-risk (minimal movement, harder to mis-hit) while the flick is higher-risk but more powerful.
Can you be out from a leg glance?
Yes — several dismissal modes exist. Caught behind: if the glance takes the inside edge before deflecting off the pad (or the pad alone isn't struck), it can fly to the wicket-keeper or slip. Caught at fine leg: if the glance is mistimed and goes in the air rather than along the ground, it can be caught at fine leg or backward square leg. LBW: not possible from the glance as typically played (the ball hitting leg stump or outside leg cannot be LBW if the batsman's front leg is outside off stump — and a ball pitched outside leg stump cannot be LBW in any circumstance). Stumped: theoretically possible if the batsman uses their feet and misses the glance, but this is very rare.
Which batting stance makes the leg glance easier to play?
A more open batting stance (standing more side-on, with the front foot pointing toward mid-on rather than straight down the pitch) can make the leg glance less natural — the body position naturally leads the bat toward the off side. A more closed stance (front foot pointing toward cover or the bowler) opens up the leg side and makes the leg glance more accessible. Many leg-glance specialists (VVS Laxman, Kumar Sangakkara) had slightly open stances that allowed their bat to come through more freely on the leg side. However, the shot can be played from almost any stance with adjusted footwork — stance preference varies significantly by individual batsman.