Cricket Field Positions Guide for Beginners: Every Position Explained
If you've ever watched cricket and heard the commentator say "they've brought in a short cover and pushed mid-wicket to the boundary," you might have wondered: where exactly are these positions, and what do they mean? Cricket has over 35 named fielding positions — more than any other major sport — and understanding them is the fastest way to go from spectator to informed fan or player. This guide maps every position by zone, explains the thinking behind field placements, and covers the equipment that fielders at each position need.
Why Cricket Has So Many Fielding Positions
Cricket's fielding positions exist because the batsman can hit the ball in any direction — 360 degrees — off both the front and back foot. Unlike baseball, where the batter mostly hits forward, a cricket batsman can deflect the ball behind them (fine leg), hit it square of the wicket (point, cover), or drive it straight (mid-on, mid-off). Each position name describes both the angle from the batsman and the distance from the bat, giving captains a precise language for setting a field.
The Position Naming System
Fielding positions are organized by two factors: angle (off-side vs leg-side) and distance (close, inner ring, outfield, boundary).
Off-side = the side the batsman faces when standing in their normal stance (the side with the bat). Leg-side (or on-side) = the side behind the batsman (the side with the legs). A right-handed batsman's off-side is to the left of the pitch (looking from the bowler's end); a left-hander's is to the right. All position names are relative to the batsman on strike.
Distance zones:
- Close (0-10 yards): Silly point, short leg, silly mid-off, silly mid-on. These fielders wear helmets and are close enough to catch deflections off the bat or pad.
- Inner ring (10-30 yards): Slip cordon, gully, point, cover, mid-off, mid-on, mid-wicket, square leg. These are the "saving the single" positions — close enough to stop quick singles, far enough to react to hard-hit balls.
- Outfield (30-60 yards): Deep point, deep cover, long-off, long-on, deep mid-wicket, deep square leg. These fielders protect boundaries on their side of the ground.
- Boundary (60+ yards): Deep fine leg, deep extra cover, cow corner. Boundary riders who chase and retrieve balls heading for four or six.
Complete Cricket Fielding Positions Map
The Slip Cordon (Off-Side, Close)
Slips stand behind the batsman on the off-side, positioned to catch edges from the bat. First slip is closest to the wicket-keeper; second slip, third slip, and fourth slip extend outward. A standard Test match field might have 3-4 slips when the ball is new and swinging. In T20, you'll rarely see more than one slip after the first 2-3 overs.
Gully — wider than the slips, positioned to catch balls that fly off the edge at a wider angle. Think of gully as the position that catches the really thick edges that would go between slip and point.
The Point Region (Off-Side, Square)
Point — square of the wicket on the off-side. Positioned to stop and catch cut shots. In limited-overs cricket, point is often a boundary-saver; in Test cricket, a catching position. Backward point is slightly behind square for late cuts; silly point is a helmet-wearing close catcher 3-5 yards from the bat.
Cover — wider and slightly in front of point. The cover fielder stops the cover drive, one of cricket's most common scoring shots. Extra cover is wider still, between cover and mid-off. When a batsman "drives through the covers," they're hitting the ball between cover and extra cover.
The Off-Side Straight Region
Mid-off — straight down the ground on the off-side, typically 20-30 yards from the bat. Positioned to stop straight drives. In the inner ring during Powerplays, back on the boundary during the death overs. Long-off is the boundary version.
The Leg-Side Region
Mid-on — the leg-side mirror of mid-off. Straight down the ground on the leg side. Long-on is the boundary version. These two positions (mid-on and mid-off) are the default straight-hitting protection in any field setting.
Mid-wicket — the leg-side equivalent of cover. Positioned to stop and catch balls hit off the pads through the leg side. Deep mid-wicket and deep square leg protect the leg-side boundary.
Square leg — square of the wicket on the leg side. Positioned for pulls and hooks. In limited-overs cricket, square leg is often on the boundary; in Tests, 15-25 yards from the bat for catching short-pitched pull shots. Short leg is the helmet-wearing close catcher, positioned 3-5 yards from the bat on the leg side — one of the bravest positions on the field.
Fine leg — behind square on the leg side, typically the finest angle of all fielding positions. Positioned for glances and deflections off the hips. Deep fine leg is on the boundary; short fine leg is in the ring. Leg slip is a close catching position right behind the batsman on the leg side — used when the ball is swinging into the batsman's body.
Specialist / Hybrid Positions
Cow corner — the area between deep mid-wicket and long-on, deep on the leg side. Named because it's where agricultural ("cow shot") heaves over the leg side tend to land. Not an official position name on a scorecard, but every cricketer knows exactly where it is.
Third man — behind square on the off-side, finer than backward point. Positioned for late cuts and edges that fly past the slips. Can be "fly slip" (close) or deep on the boundary depending on the match situation.
Protective Equipment by Position
Not all fielders need the same protection. Here's what each zone requires:
| Position Zone | Required Equipment | Recommended |
|---|---|---|
| Close catchers (silly point, short leg, silly mid-off) | Helmet, box (abdominal guard) | Shin guards, chest guard |
| Slips / Gully | None mandatory | Box (for close-in slips), shin guards for fast bowlers |
| Inner ring (point, cover, mid-off, mid-on, mid-wicket, square leg) | None mandatory | Box (always recommended), knee support for diving stops |
| Outfield / Boundary | None mandatory | Sun protection, hat, sunglasses |
Common Field Settings and When They're Used
Attacking Field (Test Cricket — New Ball)
3-4 slips, gully, short leg or silly point, mid-off, mid-on, cover, point, fine leg. Everyone else in catching positions. Used when the new ball is swinging and every edge carries to the cordon.
Defensive Field (ODI — Middle Overs)
1 slip, point, cover, mid-off, mid-on, mid-wicket, square leg, fine leg, third man. Spread out to save singles and protect boundaries. Catchers have been moved to the ring.
Death Overs Field (T20 — Last 5 Overs)
Deep mid-wicket, deep square leg, long-on, long-off, deep cover, deep point, third man. Boundary riders everywhere — the goal is to prevent sixes, not take catches.
Recommended Protective Gear for Fielders
| Product | Price | Position |
|---|---|---|
| Shrey Cricket Helmet | $49.99 | Close catchers (helmet mandatory) |
| SS Abdominal Guard (Box) | $9.99 | All positions (recommended for safety) |
| SG Cricket Thigh Guard | $14.99 | Close catchers, short leg, silly point |
| SS Cricket Chest Guard | $24.99 | Short leg, silly point, bat-pad positions |
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do fielding positions have such weird names?
The names developed organically over 200+ years of cricket in England. "Silly" positions (silly point, silly mid-off) are named because fielders standing 3 yards from a batsman with a hard bat look, well, silly — and the name stuck. "Gully" comes from the gap between slip and point, like a water gully between two hills. "Fine" and "square" refer to angles — fine is narrower (closer to straight), square is wider (closer to 90 degrees from the bat). "Cow corner" is country slang for where cattle might graze in a rural English field.
What's the difference between point and cover?
Point is squarer (behind the line of the batsman's crease), and cover is in front of the line. Think of it this way: if the batsman plays a cut shot, point fields it. If the batsman plays a cover drive, cover fields it. Point is more square; cover is straighter. Between them is "cover point" — a hybrid position that splits the difference.
Do I need a helmet to field at short leg?
Yes, absolutely. Short leg stands 3-5 yards from the bat and faces reaction times under 0.2 seconds for a full-blooded pull or sweep shot. A cricket ball traveling at 90mph covers 3 yards in 0.07 seconds — faster than human reaction time. Helmets are non-negotiable at short leg, silly point, and silly mid-off. The ICC and most league rules mandate helmets for all fielders within 10 yards of the bat.
How many fielders are allowed on the leg side?
In all formats, a maximum of 5 fielders can be on the leg side at any time (not including the bowler and wicket-keeper). In ODIs, during non-Powerplay overs, a maximum of 4 fielders can be outside the 30-yard circle. In T20s, a maximum of 5 fielders can be outside the circle at any time. These restrictions prevent teams from packing the leg side with boundary riders and forcing batsmen to hit exclusively to the off side.
What position should I put my weakest fielder?
Fine leg or third man. These positions see the fewest balls in most match situations. Batsmen rarely intentionally hit to fine leg or third man — balls that go there are usually edges, glances, or mis-hits. At the recreational and league level, protecting the boundary in these areas is the main job; the fielder needs good hands for the occasional catch but doesn't need the athleticism required at point or cover.
How do field positions change for left-handed vs right-handed batsmen?
Every position flips. A right-hander's off-side is the left side of the pitch (from the bowler's view); a left-hander's off-side is the right side. Slips move to the opposite side of the wicket-keeper. All position names stay the same — they're always relative to the batsman on strike. This is why fielders spend time adjusting between overs when a new batsman comes in with the opposite handedness. Smart captains will plan field changes before the over starts to minimize delay.
Want to see field positions in action? Visit our Edison, NJ store at 37 Meridian Rd. We can walk you through field settings using our in-store demo equipment and help you pick the right protective gear for your fielding position. Open Mon-Sat 11 AM-9 PM, Sun 11 AM-8 PM. Call 732-250-3598 with questions.