Learning Cricket:
The Flick Shot Technique

By Herschelle Gibbs Published on: Fri Dec 30, 2022

Start by marking your crease between the off stump and the leg stump. Have a relaxed posture with a balanced stance. As the ball is angled towards the middle and the leg stump, present the full face of the bat and by using the power of your wrists, guide the ball towards the leg side of the wicket.

Herschelle Gibbs

One of the most talented cricketers from South Africa, your coach has been involved in some of the greatest knocks in the history of international cricket – six sixes in an over in ODI, and 175 from 111 balls among others. He is one of only ten batsmen in ODI history to score three consecutive hundreds.

If you aspire to become like the greats, this blog is for you. In the last post, we learnt all about what it takes to perfect the traditional sweep and the slog sweep shot. Today, we learn to master the technique of using your wrists to play the flick shot. Let’s get started!

In order to bat like your cricketing heroes, it is very important that you focus on your technique and repeat yourself while practising. There is no one way to master each and every stroke in cricket. Therefore, spend enough time mastering your stance, posture and most importantly, your follow through.

When the ball is pitched between the middle stump and the leg stump, resort to the flick shot. However, notice the length of the delivery. Ensure that when the ball is pitched full, the flick shot is ideal. The flick shot can be played on short-pitched deliveries as well.

For the technique, have a balanced stance with a relaxed posture. With your eyes level on the ball, focus on the bowler. Now, as the ball is released, get into position and present the full face of the bat. As you make contact with the ball, instead of opting for raw power, use the strength of your wrists and guide the ball towards the leg side of the wicket.

When facing a fast bowler, just rotating your wrists can help you score a six, which is amazing. Therefore, more than power, work on your technique. Practise hard as consistency can get you where you want to be as a batter.

For the next blog, we learn to play the upper cut.