The cover drive is one of the most beautiful shots you can play in cricket.

The cover drive is unfortunately also one of the most difficult shots to master in cricket.

It takes time and a lot of practice to get hold of the shot and play it confidently.

This is a step-by-step guide to easily playing a perfect cover drive. scroll on!

Before we begin let’s have a look at where the cover drive shot is played:

The cover drive shot is played on the offside in the area of covers shown in the ‘yellow’ area.

Jump to the sections:

How to play the lofted cover drive?
when should you play the cover drive?
Bonus tips

1. Stable stance

The most basic and important step. If you want to bat good, stand good. every great player has a good balanced stance.

Have a balanced and comfortable stance. Make sure your head is still and your eyes leveled.

2. Let the ball release

The step that helps you judge the ball’s length and line better.

Don’t move around before the ball leaves the bowler’s hand. Keep your eyes on the ball.

3. Pick up the line and length

After the first two steps are followed correctly, you are on your way to watch the ball in slow motion.

You have to pick up the length of the ball early to give yourself more time to play the shot.

You need a stable head position to judge the ball perfectly.

4. Go on the ball

Take a small stride towards the pitch of the delivery in a way your eyes are on the ball and your front foot toe pointing towards the covers.

Transfer your weight to the front foot toe.

your hands and head have to go together on the ball.

5. Hit it under your eyes

Hitting the ball right under your eyes gives you full control of the shot, allowing you to send it into the gaps.

Always prefer timing over bashing.

6. Hold the pose

After the shot, if you don’t feel balanced, either your head is overbalancing or your feet aren’t right.

Another thing to look for is your back foot knee, the closer to the ground it is, the more balanced you’ll be.

7. Practice the shot every day

“Practice puts brains in your muscles”

~Samuel snead

Just like every other thing in life cricket is also all about practice.

Practice on underarm balls if you’re making a lot of mistakes or you can also shadow bat at your home.

8. Learn the shot from the best players around the world.

You can learn anything twice as fast just by observing and learning from the best people in the business.

These are some of the best cover drive players you can learn from.

Virat Kohli (India)
Babar Azam (Pakistan)
Ian Bell (Australia)
Kumar Sangakara (Shri Lanka)
Kane Williamson(New Zealand)
Ab de Villiers (South Africa)
Sachin Tendulkar (India)

How to play the lofted cover drive?

In lofted cover drive the ball is hit in the air aimed towards the boundary, and you are allowed to flourish your bat a little bit harder to get that extra sweet six runs.

Focus on timing because a little late could go flat in the fielder’s hands and a little early could give them a nice catch practice.

Playing cover drive or any shot in cricket is the result of your subconscious brain.

The more you practice the more it gets ingrained in your brain and that makes it easy for you to play on wish.

When should you play the cover drive?

When the length ball is pitched on or outside of the off stump you can play the cover drive.

You should play the cover drive if you are confident and are able to see the ball clearly.

Bonus tips:

Take the phone/camera and record yourself playing the shot.

observe if you’re doing anything wrong, compare it with your favorite players, and correct the differences.

Don’t downswing the bat until the ball bounces off the pitch Wait for the ball to bounce and then flourish your bat.

This helps you play the ball late, mitigating your chances of hitting it in the air.

Don’t premeditate the shot let it come to you naturally.

Premeditating any shot in cricket can get you out, focus on your techniques and let it come naturally to you.

As Ab de Villiers once said ” you have to earn the right to play the cover drive”

You must not take risk of playing this shot if the conditions and situations aren’t right.

Conclusion:

the head is the most important part of playing any shot in cricket, make sure you balance it and on the ball while playing the cover drive.
The 3 most important things to look for:

-head
-Foot
-weight transfer on the front foot and you’ve got it.