LBW Complete Guide: All Six Conditions That Must Be Met
The complete, technical guide to LBW dismissal under Law 36 — all six conditions a bowler must satisfy, why bat-before-pad matters, the impact point rule, the line restriction for off-stump, and common misconceptions about LBW that even experienced cricket fans get wrong.
The Six Conditions
For an LBW dismissal to be valid under Law 36, ALL of the following must apply: (1) The delivery must be a legitimate ball (not a no-ball or wide). (2) The ball must strike the batsman on any part of their person except their bat or gloves holding the bat. (3) The ball must hit the pad between wicket and wicket — not outside the off stump. (4) If the ball pitched outside the leg stump, the dismissal is not valid (unless the batsman did not offer a shot). (5) The ball's trajectory (or Hawk-Eye projection) must show the ball would have gone on to hit the stumps. (6) The ball must not have hit the bat before hitting the pad (bat-before-pad is not out).
The Leg-Side Exemption
A delivery that pitches outside leg stump cannot result in an LBW dismissal — regardless of what the ball goes on to do. This is the 'pitch outside leg' rule. A left-arm over-the-wicket bowler naturally pitches many deliveries outside leg stump for a right-hander; the LBW threat is significantly reduced. However, if the batsman does not offer a shot at a delivery pitching outside leg, the pitch restriction is waived and LBW can be given.
Common Misconceptions
The most common LBW misconception: 'the ball hit outside off stump so it can't be LBW'. False — the ball must hit the pad between wicket and wicket, but it can pitch outside off stump (the pitch restriction only applies to leg stump). A ball pitching two feet outside off stump and seaming back to hit the pad in front of middle stump is a valid LBW appeal. Second misconception: 'if it's bat-pad it can't be LBW'. Correct — bat before pad is not LBW. But if the ball hits the pad then the bat (pad-before-bat), it can still be LBW.
Frequently asked questions
Can you get LBW off a ball that bounces over the stumps?
No. If Hawk-Eye tracking shows the ball would have gone over the top of the stumps (above bail height), the LBW appeal fails. This is distinct from the ball passing outside the stumps — height also matters. The 2.5-metre tracking limit also applies.
How does the umpire's call zone interact with the pitching condition?
Umpire's call applies to the impact with the stumps (would the ball hit the stumps?), not to the pitch location assessment. If the ball is very close to the leg-stump line at the pitch, the umpire's judgement on whether it pitched in line stands. Hawk-Eye only reviews the stump trajectory.