Cricket Fielding Positions Explained: Slip, Gully, Mid-On, Fine Leg — Full Field Guide
Every major cricket fielding position explained — the slip cordon (first slip, second slip, third slip, gully), the on-side (square leg, fine leg, mid-wicket, mid-on), the off-side (cover, extra cover, mid-off, third man), and the infield ring positions (point, silly mid-on, short leg). How field placements change by format and bowling type.
Cricket fielding positions have standardised names used universally in commentary, strategy discussions, and coaching. Understanding the positions tells you: where the fielder is standing relative to the batsman and the pitch, which side of the wicket they are on (off-side or leg-side), and how close to the bat they are standing (catching position, infield, or outfield). There are approximately 25+ named fielding positions, though only 11 fielders are on the field at any one time (10 fielders plus the wicketkeeper).
The Slip Cordon and Catching Positions
The slip cordon (off-side, behind the batsman): (1) First slip: stands approximately 1-2 metres behind the wicketkeeper's right side (for a right-handed batsman's off-side edge). First slip catches edges that go slightly wider or away from the keeper; (2) Second slip: stands further right of first slip. Catches wider edges; (3) Third slip: stands further still to the right. In pace bowling attacking fields, 3 slips are common; (4) Gully: stands square of the wicket on the off-side, between point and the slips. Catches thick outside edges that are lifted; (5) Leg slip / leg gully: positioned on the leg-side (behind the batsman's left) — catches edges that go behind the batsman on the on-side. Less common than the off-side slip cordon; (6) Silly mid-on / silly mid-off / short leg / silly point: fielders positioned very close to the batsman (inside 5 metres) at various positions around the bat. These are dangerous positions (fielders can be hit by powerful shots) used when spin bowling to catch very close bat-pad edges. Fielders in these positions wear protective equipment (helmet, shin guards).
Off-Side Field Positions
Off-side fielding positions (to the batsman's right if right-handed): (1) Point: stands square of the wicket on the off-side, approximately at the crease level. Catches cut shots and defends against the square cut direction; (2) Cover point: stands between point and mid-off, slightly deeper. Prevents off-side drives reaching the boundary; (3) Cover: between point and mid-off, in the infield. Often the most used position in limited-overs cricket (many scoring shots go through this area); (4) Extra cover: deeper and wider than cover. Prevents the ball reaching the off-side boundary through extra cover; (5) Mid-off: stands to the off-side of the wicket, approximately 30-40 yards from the stumps, in line with the bowler's follow-through. Is the fielder closest to the bowler's landing area on the off-side; (6) Third man: stands on the off-side boundary behind the wicketkeeper. Cuts off fine edges and late cuts that beat the wicketkeeper; (7) Backward point: between point and third man — in between square and behind. Used for balls cut behind square.
Leg-Side Field Positions
Leg-side fielding positions (to the batsman's left if right-handed): (1) Square leg: stands square of the wicket on the leg-side, approximately at crease level. Catches pull shots and defends the square leg area against on-drives that go square; (2) Mid-wicket: between square leg and mid-on. A very common position in T20 cricket where many on-side drives and hits go through this gap; (3) Mid-on: the on-side equivalent of mid-off — stands on the leg-side approximately 30-40 yards from the stumps, near the bowler's follow-through direction. Defends the on-side drive; (4) Fine leg: stands on the leg-side boundary, behind the line of the batsman. Cuts off fine glances, fine leg deflections, and edges that go fine to the leg-side; (5) Deep square leg / deep mid-wicket: boundary fielders on the leg-side. Prevent leg-side hits reaching the boundary; (6) Short fine leg / backward square leg: positioned between the wicketkeeper and fine leg — in the catching zone for balls that are deflected down the leg-side from thick edges.
Frequently asked questions
What does first slip mean in cricket?
First slip is a fielding position in cricket standing close to the wicketkeeper on the off-side (the side away from the batsman's body). First slip stands approximately 1-2 metres to the wicketkeeper's right (for a right-handed batsman) and catches outside edges that travel behind the batsman and away from the keeper. First slip is used in both pace bowling attacks (to catch fast outside edges) and spin bowling (to catch slower, looping edges from the off-spinner or leg-spinner). The slip cordon typically consists of first, second, and sometimes third slip, plus gully — forming an arc of close catchers on the off-side.
What is the difference between mid-on and mid-off in cricket?
Mid-on and mid-off are both infield positions approximately 30-40 yards from the batsman, positioned near the bowling crease area. Mid-on is on the leg-side (to the batsman's body side) — it covers the on-drive and straight leg-side shots. Mid-off is on the off-side — it covers the off-drive and straight off-side shots. Both positions are standard in virtually all field settings because the straight-drive is one of the most common scoring shots in cricket. The bowler runs between mid-on and mid-off — they are the two positions flanking the bowler's follow-through path after delivering the ball.
What fielders are in the slip cordon?
The slip cordon consists of fielders positioned in an arc behind the batsman on the off-side (behind the wicketkeeper): first slip, second slip, and third slip are the standard positions, with gully positioned more squarely (between slip and point). In aggressive pace bowling attacks (particularly in Test cricket), 3 slips plus gully is a common setting. In T20 cricket, the slip cordon is reduced (often only 1 slip) because the fielding restrictions require fielders inside the 30-yard circle — slips count as inside fielders but their positioning is still managed by the restriction rules.