On Side vs Off Side in Cricket Explained — Cricket's Field Geography
Cricket divides the field into the on side (leg side) and the off side. Understanding the difference is fundamental to following field placements, shot-making, and tactical discussions. A clear guide for beginners.
Cricket divides the field into two halves relative to the batter's stance: the off side and the on side (also called the leg side). This division is fundamental to every element of cricket — field placements, shot names, bowling lines, and tactical language all reference off and on side constantly.
Defining off side and on side
- Off side — the side of the field the batter faces (holds the bat toward) when standing at the crease. For a right-handed batter, this is to their left as they walk out; looking from behind the stumps, it is the right side of the pitch.
- On side (leg side) — the side the batter's body faces away from. For a right-handed batter, the on side is to their right; it is the left side of the pitch as seen from behind the stumps.
- For a left-handed batter, these directions are reversed: off side is to their right (as they face the bowler), and on side is to their left.
Fielding positions on each side
| Off Side | On Side (Leg Side) |
|---|---|
| Slip | Fine leg |
| Gully | Backward square leg |
| Point | Square leg |
| Cover | Mid-wicket |
| Mid-off | Mid-on |
| Third man (angled) | Long leg |
Frequently asked questions
What is the off side in cricket?
The off side is the side of the field to which the batter is facing — for a right-handed batter, this is to their left as they walk to the crease, and fielding positions like slips, gully, point, cover, and mid-off are on the off side.
What is the on side (leg side) in cricket?
The on side (leg side) is the side of the field behind the batter's body — for a right-handed batter, this is the right side as they walk to the crease. Fielding positions like fine leg, square leg, mid-wicket, and mid-on are on the on/leg side.
Is the on side the same as the leg side?
Yes, 'on side' and 'leg side' are interchangeable terms referring to the same half of the cricket field — the side corresponding to the batter's legs.