Standing Back to Fast Bowlers
Keeping to pace bowlers requires different skills. More time to react, but the ball arrives faster and with more movement. Lateral agility and diving become crucial.
How Far to Stand
Your distance from the stumps depends on the bowler's pace. The ball should reach you at a comfortable catching height.
15-18 yards back
18-22 yards back
22-25 yards back
Pro Tip
Find your distance in warm-ups. Take a few deliveries and adjust until the ball reaches you at chest/waist height. This is your optimal position.
— Mark Boucher
Lateral Movement
Fast bowling moves the ball both ways. You must move laterally while maintaining balance and soft hands.
Technique:
- Stay low and balanced in your stance
- Move sideways with the ball - don't reach
- Shuffle feet rather than crossing over
- Keep head still and eyes on ball
- Take ball in front of body when possible
Common Mistake
Never reach for the ball with just your hands. Move your feet to get your body behind it. Reaching causes dropped catches.
Diving Techniques
Sometimes the only way to take a catch is to dive. This is high-risk but essential for edges going wide.
Full-Length Dive
For wide deliveries you can't reach standing. Launch horizontally, extend fully, watch ball into gloves, land on side.
Half-Dive
For catches closer to your body. One-handed reach with body support. Less risky than full dive.
Low Dive
For edges that dip quickly. Get down fast, hands together, scoop the ball before it hits ground.
Catching Edges
High Edges
- • Rise with the ball
- • Soft hands essential
- • Cushion into body
- • Watch all the way
Low Edges
- • Get down quickly
- • Hands together
- • Scoop before bounce
- • Secure immediately
Leg-Side Takes
Deliveries down leg side are challenging. Anticipate, move early, and take ball in front of body.
- • Anticipate: Watch bowler's wrist and release point
- • Move early: Don't wait for ball to pass stumps
- • Stay low: Leg-side balls often stay low
- • Front of body: Don't let ball pass you
Pro Tip
Leg-side takes are where reputations are made. Practice them religiously - they're the hardest catches to take cleanly.
— Ian Healy
Top Videos: Standing Back to Pacers
4:05Standing Back to Pace Bowling
Sikana English
Positioning and movement when keeping to fast bowlers
3:50Wicketkeeping Standing Back
Sikana English
Technique for taking edges and diving catches behind the stumps
4:20Wicketkeeping Basics
Sikana English
Fundamental keeping skills for standing back position
4:30Wicketkeeping Drills - Part 1
Sikana English
Lateral movement and diving drills for pace bowling
4:45Wicketkeeping Drills - Part 2
Sikana English
Advanced reaction drills for keeping to fast bowlers