Free Hit in Cricket: Rules, Strategy and When It Applies
The free hit — a delivery from which the batter cannot be dismissed most ways — was introduced to punish front-foot no balls in T20 cricket. This guide explains when free hits apply, what dismissals are still possible, and how they affect bowling strategy.
The free hit is a rule in limited-overs cricket that punishes a front-foot no ball by giving the batting team the next delivery as a 'free hit' — a ball from which the batter cannot be dismissed in most ways. Introduced into T20 cricket in 2007 and ODI cricket in 2010, the free hit was designed to discourage bowlers from overstepping (bowling with their front foot beyond the popping crease, which had been relatively common and only punished with 1 run), by adding a substantial additional penalty.
What Is and Isn't Allowed on a Free Hit
On a free hit delivery, the batter CANNOT be dismissed by: bowled, LBW, caught (by a fielder), or hit the ball twice. The batter CAN still be dismissed by: run out (either batter failing to make their ground on a running call), handled the ball (now obstructing the field), or hit wicket (hitting their own stumps with bat or body). Free hits are signalled by the umpire raising one arm with a circular motion over their head. Fielding positions can be changed on a free hit over delivery.
Strategic Implications for Bowlers
The free hit rule has made front-foot no balls extremely costly for bowlers in limited-overs cricket. A no ball: (1) concedes 1 run penalty; (2) adds an extra delivery to the over; AND (3) gives the next delivery as a free hit, potentially conceding a boundary for no wicket risk. This triple penalty has made bowlers intensely focused on front-foot discipline. Bowling coaches now spend significant training time on run-up calibration — ensuring bowlers land their front foot accurately short of the popping crease every delivery.
Free Hit in T20 vs ODI
In T20 cricket, free hits occur on front-foot no balls only (the foot lands beyond the popping crease). In ODI cricket, the same rule applies. In both formats, back-foot no balls (the back foot landing outside the return crease) do NOT give a free hit — these are rewarded with just the 1 penalty run, as they were before the free hit rule was introduced. Wrist-spinners and leg-spinners are rarely guilty of front-foot no balls; fast bowlers are the most commonly penalised.
Frequently asked questions
Is there a free hit for a wide delivery in cricket?
No. Wides do not generate free hits under current cricket laws. Only front-foot no balls (front foot landing beyond the popping crease) generate free hits in limited-overs cricket. A wide ball concedes 1 run and an extra delivery, but the next delivery is not a free hit.
What happens if a batter is run out on a free hit?
If a batter is run out on a free hit delivery, the dismissal stands — the batter is out, as run out is one of the permitted dismissals on a free hit. The fielding side does NOT get another delivery in place of the free hit (free hits are not transferable to the new batter) — the free hit was used, the wicket stands, and the next delivery is normal.