Square Leg Fielding Position in Cricket
What is square leg in cricket? The position's location, what shots it stops, and why it is also the umpire's station at the non-striker's end.
Square leg is a fielding position on the leg side, positioned roughly level with the batsman's crease at 90 degrees to the pitch. It is one of the most traditional positions in cricket — placed to stop balls hit square of the wicket on the leg side, and is also where the square-leg umpire stands.
What Square Leg Stops
- Pull shots that travel flat and square.
- Leg glances that go too square rather than fine.
- Short-pitched deliveries that are deflected squarely off the bat or glove.
- Sweep shots played too square rather than finely.
The Square-Leg Umpire
The on-field umpire at the bowler's end makes most decisions from their position at the bowling crease. The square-leg umpire stands at square leg on the leg side at the non-striker's end. They are positioned to watch for run outs at the striker's end, stumpings, and to offer a second opinion on caught-behinds.
Leg Slip vs Square Leg
Leg slip is behind the batsman's crease (between wicketkeeper and square leg). Square leg is level with or slightly in front of the crease. The difference is important — leg glances that are fine go to leg slip; those that are square go to square leg.
Frequently asked questions
Can square leg be moved in front of square?
The fielder can be positioned slightly forward of square — this would be called 'backward mid-wicket' or 'forward square leg' depending on the angle. The named position is at 90 degrees.
Is square leg the same on both sides?
No — 'square leg' is always on the leg side relative to the batsman, which changes sides when a left-handed batsman takes guard.