Long On and Long Off in Cricket: The Straight Boundary Positions
Long on and long off are deep boundary fielding positions at either end of the pitch. Learn where they stand, what shots they cover, and why they are particularly important in T20 cricket.
What Are Long On and Long Off?
Long on and long off are deep boundary fielding positions near the straight boundary at the non-striker's end. Long on stands on the leg side of the straight boundary; long off stands on the off side. Both positions are almost universally deployed during slog overs in T20 and ODI cricket.
Where Each Stands
| Position | Side | Covers These Shots |
|---|---|---|
| Long on | Leg side of straight | On-drives, straight pulls, lofted leg-side hits |
| Long off | Off side of straight | Off-drives, lofted drives over mid-off, slog-drives |
Importance in T20 Cricket
In T20 cricket, long on and long off are two of the five permitted outfield positions after the powerplay. Captains must choose which five of the six common boundary positions to occupy: fine leg, deep mid-wicket, long on, long off, deep cover, third man. Leaving one vacant creates a scoring gap batters try to exploit.
Frequently asked questions
Is long on on the leg side or off side?
Long on is on the leg side of the straight boundary — the on side. Long off is on the off side of the straight boundary.
When are long on and long off not used?
During powerplays, fielding restrictions limit outfield positions. Long on and long off are typically brought inside the circle and mid-on/mid-off take those positions closer in.