Cricket Fielding Positions Explained: Slip Cordon, Covers, Mid-On, Fine Leg, and the Full Position Map
Cricket has approximately 30 named fielding positions across the arc surrounding the batter. The positions are divided into the on side (leg side, behind the batter's legs for a right-hander) and the off side (opposite). Key positions include the slip cordon (first slip, second slip, gully) behind the batter on the off side for edge catches; cover point and extra cover in the off side for drives; mid-on and mid-off either side of the pitch for straight shots; fine leg and square leg on the on side; and deep fielders on the boundary. Understanding the positions helps with reading field placements, DRS reviews, and commentary.
Cricket fielding positions are named locations on the field where a fielder may be placed. There are approximately 30 standard named positions, divided between the off side (to the right of a right-handed batter, facing the bowler) and the on side (to the left, also called the leg side). No more than two fielders may be behind square on the leg side in limited-overs cricket. Understanding the positions helps you follow match commentary, interpret field changes, and analyse bowling strategies.
Off-Side Positions: Slip Cordon, Gully, and Covers
The slip cordon sits behind the batter on the off side, directly in the line of the batter's bat face as they play (or miss) a delivery. First slip is closest to the wicketkeeper; second slip is wider; third slip is wider still. Gully is squarer than third slip — positioned at roughly 45 degrees behind square to the wicketkeeper. All these positions are primarily for catching edges off the bat. In front of the slip positions (i.e., closer to the pitch on the off side): point is level with the batter's crease at about 90 degrees from the pitch; cover point is forward of point and angled toward mid-off; extra cover is between cover and mid-off. These positions stop drives and square cuts. Mid-off is roughly 15–20 metres from the batter on the off side, just to the non-striker's side of the pitch. Deep mid-off, long-off, and deep extra cover are the boundary equivalents.
On-Side Positions: Mid-On, Square Leg, Fine Leg, and the Leg Side
Mid-on mirrors mid-off on the opposite (on) side of the pitch; mid-wicket is squarer than mid-on; square leg is level with the batter's crease at 90 degrees on the leg side; and fine leg is behind the batter on the leg side, typically close to the boundary. Deep square leg, deep mid-wicket, long-on, and long-leg are boundary fielders on the on side. On the off side boundary, third man sits behind point toward the fine-leg equivalent position. Positions in front of the wicket on both sides include the covers (off side) and mid-wicket (on side). The wicketkeeper always stands directly behind the stumps. 'Silly' positions (silly mid-on, silly mid-off, short leg) are close catching positions very near the batter, placed to catch defensive edges or pad-glove catches. The umpire at the bowler's end stands at mid-off or mid-on as appropriate.
Frequently asked questions
How do cricketers and coaches remember all the fielding position names, and what is the logical system underlying the position naming convention?
Cricket's fielding positions are not arbitrary — they follow a naming logic that, once understood, makes the approximately 30 standard positions much easier to remember. The core naming system uses five organising principles. First, the on side / off side division: every position is fundamentally on one side of the wicket or the other. The off side is to the right of a right-handed batter facing the bowler; the on side (leg side) is to the left. Positions on the off side include slip, gully, cover, point, and mid-off. Positions on the on side include fine leg, square leg, mid-wicket, and mid-on. Second, the prefix 'square' or 'fine': 'square' positions are level with or behind the batter's crease (90 degrees from the pitch or behind). 'Fine' positions are behind the wicket at a narrow angle to the pitch. 'Square leg' is level with the crease on the on side; 'fine leg' is behind the crease at a fine (narrow) angle. This applies on both sides: 'fine leg' (on side behind) and 'third man' (off side behind, equivalent position). Third, the prefix 'deep' or 'long': 'deep' or 'long' before any position name moves it to the boundary. 'Mid-on' becomes 'long-on' at the boundary; 'cover' becomes 'deep cover'; 'square leg' becomes 'deep square leg'. Fourth, 'short' or 'silly': 'short' means close to the batter, in front of the wicket. 'Short mid-wicket' is close to the batter on the on side. 'Silly' positions are even closer — suicide catching positions. 'Silly mid-on' and 'silly point' are within a few metres of the batter. Fifth, the relationship to the crease: 'forward' positions are in front of the batter's crease (toward the bowler's end); 'backward' or square positions are level or behind. 'Forward short leg' is in front of the crease, close on the on side; 'backward short leg' is behind it. Most coaches teach the positions using the 'clock face' method: imagining the batter at the centre of a clock, positions are described by their angle — 12 o'clock (straight down the pitch, i.e., mid-off or mid-on), 3 o'clock (square leg or point), 6 o'clock (fine leg or third man), etc. The practical approach for remembering: learn the 8–10 most common positions (slips, gully, point, cover, mid-off, mid-on, mid-wicket, fine leg, third man, square leg), and all others are modifications of those using the prefix rules above.