How to Master Running Between the Wickets
Running between wickets is a key part of cricket that can turn well-played shots into valuable runs. Quick acceleration, efficient turning, clear communication, and good decision-making can make the difference between completing a run and losing a wicket.
It is also one of the most overlooked areas of cricket training. Strong running between wickets helps convert singles into twos, twos into threes, and puts pressure on the fielding side. Movement, running technique, communication, and the right cricket shoes all contribute to faster and safer running between the wickets.
This guide covers the fundamentals of running between wickets, including running technique, communication, turning, cricket running drills, and decision-making habits that help batters run more effectively between the wickets.
Why Is Running Between the Wickets Important in Cricket?
Running sharp between the wickets builds your score without relying on boundaries. In a 20-over game, converting 10 ones into twos adds 10 runs to your total. At club or school level, those 10 runs win matches. At every level of cricket, fielding sides feel the pressure of a batting pair that runs hard and communicates well.
Running between the wickets is important in cricket because it builds partnerships, increases run rate, creates pressure on fielders, and reduces dot balls. Sharp running converts ones to twos and twos to threes, adding 10-15 extra runs per innings without requiring a single extra boundary.
Good running also affects how fielders position themselves. When they know the batting pair runs hard, they charge in faster and make errors. You don’t just score more runs. You create the conditions for overthrows, misfields, and rushed throws.
How to Improve Speed and Running Technique
Running between wickets demands a specific type of explosive movement, not a sprint off the blocks, but a fast push off from a semi-ready stance. Crouch low at the non-striker’s end with your bat grounded just behind the crease. As the bowler releases, transfer your weight forward so your first step is already in motion before the ball reaches the bat.
Drive your arms hard through each stride. Keep your head up and your eyes on the ball’s path through the field. Most batters who run slowly don’t lack an efficient starting position.
Key Tip:
Your first two steps are everything. A batter who leaves the crease in a low, forward-leaning stance gets a full metre’s advantage over one who stands upright and reacts late. Practice your starting position before you practice your sprint.
Bat carrying also affects speed. Hold your bat in your inside hand as you run and ground it behind the line in a sweeping motion rather than a stabbing one. A smooth grounding saves tenths of a second that matter on run-outs.
Calling and Communication Between Batters
Every calling system starts with one principle: the batter who hits the ball calls first. If you play a shot in front of the wicket, you have the best view of the fielder and the ball’s pace. You call. If the ball goes behind the wicket on the leg side, your partner at the non-striker’s end sees it better. They call.
Calls must be loud, clear, and decisive. “YES,” “NO,” and “WAIT” are the only three calls you need. “WAIT” is the most important one. A held “WAIT” stops your partner committing while the situation clears. Soft, uncertain calls lead to confusion and dismissals.
Both batters must also agree on a calling system before the innings starts.
How to Improve Turning Technique at the Crease
A poor turn at the crease can cost you half a metre per run. Over a full innings, that is the difference between completing a two and getting run out by a direct hit. The correct turning technique uses the bat foot, not a full circular pivot.
Plant your back foot close to the crease, then push off from it in the new direction. Swing your bat arm around and ground the bat behind the line in one continuous movement. The turn, ground, and push off should happen in under one second when executed correctly.
Avoid turning on the outside of your feet. It kills momentum. Practice a clean plant-and-push turn at low speed first, then build pace once your body has the muscle memory. Repeat it in both directions, since you will need to turn at both ends.
Running Between Wickets Drills to Build Speed and Agility
These cricket running drills replicate real match conditions and build the reflexes you need for sharp running.
Shuttle Run Drill: Set up two cones 22 yards apart, matching the pitch length. Sprint between them, touching the cone with your bat, and return immediately. Complete 5-6 lengths with short rests. This builds the specific acceleration and deceleration you need for running between wickets.
Call and Run Drill: Work in pairs. One batter feeds a throw against a wall or to a coach, watches the deflection, and calls “YES” or “NO.” The other batter reacts to the call. Rotate every 10 calls. This sharpens communication under pressure and syncs batting partnerships.
Drop and Dive Drill: Practice sliding your bat over the crease line from a running position. Start at walking pace, then build to full speed. Teaches you to ground the bat safely and quickly without losing balance or momentum.
These cricket fitness drills work best when you practise them wearing proper cricket footwear so your feet learn to grip and turn on turf surfaces.
Field Awareness and Quick Decision-Making
The best runners read the field before the ball is bowled. Scan the positions of fine leg, mid-wicket, point, and mid-off before each delivery. Know where the deep fielders are. A ball hit to a fielder 10 metres inside the boundary is a different calculation than one hit to a fielder on the rope.
Watch for fielders who are slow to move, reluctant to dive, or positioned on their wrong side. These are your single opportunities waiting to happen. Identify them early and back your judgment when the ball goes their way.
Decision-making speed comes from preparation. If you already know the field, you spend less time processing and more time running. Most hesitations happen because a batter looks at the field for the first time after the ball is hit.
Common Running Between Wickets Mistakes to Avoid
Not backing up at the non-striker’s end is the most costly habit in club cricket. Stand two-thirds of the way down the pitch as the bowler delivers. If the batter calls yes, you are already moving. If the call is no, step back. Never stand rooted to the crease.
Crossing wires on calling is another frequent issue. If both batters call at once and give conflicting instructions, the result is a mid-pitch standoff or a collision. Stick to the system. The hitter calls first, always.
Slowing into the crease wastes runs and risks dismissals. Run hard through the line, not to it. Fielders who see you decelerate take the risk of throwing at a single stump. Make them think twice by running as if the line is a metre further than it actually is.
Frequently Asked Questions About Running Between the Wickets
Q: Who calls YES or NO when running between wickets?
A: The batter who hits the ball calls for shots in front of the wicket. The non-striker calls for shots behind the wicket on the leg side, where they have the better view.
Q: How do I improve my turning speed at the crease?
A: Practice the plant-and-push technique. Plant your back foot near the crease, swing your bat arm in the new direction, ground the bat, and push off. Repeat at slow speed first, then increase pace.
Q: What are the best running between wickets drills?
A: The shuttle run drill, the call-and-run communication drill, and the drop-and-dive grounding drill cover the three main skills: speed, communication, and technique.
Q: How important is footwear for running between wickets?
A; Very important. Grip and stability during turns and quick starts depend on well-fitted cricket shoes built for turf. Worn-out soles increase the risk of slipping at the crease and losing time on turns.
Q: How can I build better communication with my batting partner?
A: Agree on a clear calling system before the innings. Use only YES, NO, and WAIT. Practise call-and-run drills together so reactions become automatic under match pressure.
