Cricket No-Ball Rules: Every Type of No-Ball and What It Means
Learn every cricket no-ball rule — front-foot no-balls, dangerous deliveries, fielding violations, and the free-hit rule in limited-overs cricket.
A no-ball is one of cricket's most consequential deliveries. It awards an automatic extra run, removes the risk of most dismissals for the batsman, and in limited-overs cricket, triggers a free hit on the next delivery. Understanding every cause of a no-ball is essential for players and fans alike.
The Front-Foot No-Ball
The most common no-ball in cricket is the front-foot no-ball. The bowler's front foot must land behind the popping crease — a white line 1.22 metres in front of the stumps. If any part of the bowler's front foot, from the heel forward, lands on or beyond the popping crease at the moment of delivery, it is a no-ball.
The Back-Foot No-Ball
The bowler's back foot must land within the return crease — the side boundary lines of the bowling area. If any part of the back foot lands outside the return crease, it is a no-ball. This is much rarer than front-foot no-balls and is most commonly seen from wide-angle bowlers or those who drift across the crease.
All Types of No-Ball
| No-Ball Type | Cause | Common Situation |
|---|---|---|
| Front-foot | Foot lands beyond popping crease | Fast bowlers cutting stride; spinners drifting |
| Back-foot | Back foot outside return crease | Wide bowlers drifting across the crease |
| Dangerous short-pitched delivery | Too many bouncers per over | Second bouncer in a T20 over |
| Full toss above waist height | Ball reaches batsman above waist without bouncing | Beamer — immediate no-ball and first warning |
| Fielding violation | Wrong number of fielders outside circle | Powerplay fielding restriction breach |
| Leg-side fielding violation | More than 5 fielders on leg side | Captain tries leg-side trap with 6 fielders |
| Throwing (illegal action) | Bowler throws instead of bowling | Elbow extension beyond 15-degree limit |
| Ball bounced over head height twice | Two bouncers above head height in an over | Umpire judges height at delivery point |
The Free Hit: Limited-Overs Cricket's Biggest No-Ball Consequence
In T20 and ODI cricket, a no-ball automatically triggers a free hit on the next delivery. On a free hit, the batsman can only be dismissed by run-out (or obstructing the field, hit the ball twice, or handled the ball — though these are rare). The fielding positions cannot be changed between a no-ball and the subsequent free hit, except for a run-out opportunity.
What Can and Cannot Dismiss a Batsman Off a No-Ball
| Dismissal Type | Possible Off No-Ball? |
|---|---|
| Run out | Yes |
| Hit the ball twice | Yes |
| Obstructing the field | Yes |
| Handled the ball | Yes |
| Bowled | No |
| LBW | No |
| Caught | No |
| Stumped | No |
| Hit wicket | No |
Dangerous Short-Pitched Deliveries
The ICC limits the number of short-pitched deliveries per over. In men's international cricket, a maximum of 2 bouncers (passing above shoulder height) are allowed per over. A third bouncer is called a no-ball. In women's international cricket, the limit is 1 bouncer per over.
Beamers: The Automatic No-Ball
A full toss that reaches the batsman above waist height without bouncing is a beamer — an immediate no-ball. The umpire also issues a formal warning to the bowler. A second beamer from the same bowler in the match results in the bowler being removed from the attack for the remainder of the innings.
Frequently asked questions
Does a no-ball count as part of the over in cricket?
No. A no-ball is not counted as one of the 6 legal deliveries of the over. The over continues until 6 legal deliveries have been bowled. So an over with 2 no-balls will actually consist of 8 deliveries in total.
Is there a free hit in Test cricket?
No. The free hit rule applies only to ODI and T20 cricket. In Test matches, a no-ball still awards 1 run and removes the risk of most dismissals, but there is no automatic free hit on the following delivery.
Can a batsman be caught off a no-ball in cricket?
No. A caught dismissal cannot occur off a no-ball. However, if the batsman mistimes a shot off a free hit and the ball is caught, the batsman is not out but any runs scored count to the total.
How does the third umpire help with no-ball calls?
Several major cricket boards have trialled and adopted real-time third umpire monitoring of front-foot no-balls, particularly in high-profile series. The on-field umpire receives an earpiece notification to call the no-ball if the third umpire's camera detects a front-foot violation.