How to Bowl an Off Cutter

Last Updated: March 19, 2024

An off cutter is a cricket bowling delivery that turns clockwise into the right handed batsman. It is used by the fast bowlers and medium fast bowlers to turn the bowl when there isn't much help from the pitch. This skill can be beneficial to master, as cutters can often entice and fox the batsman to play false shots. An ideal off cutter pitches on off stumps, and upon pitching, moves towards the leg stump.

Gripping & Throwing the Ball

Hold the ball with your index finger on the seam, your middle finger to the side, and your thumb gripping the ball from below. Cock your wrist backward and drag your fingers across the seam with a cutting motion down the right side of the ball as you throw, rolling it with your index finger to add spin.

Part 1

Part 1 of 2:

Mastering the Grip

Download Article

{"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/e\/eb\/IMG_20181005_150809.jpg\/460px-IMG_20181005_150809.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/e\/eb\/IMG_20181005_150809.jpg\/315px-IMG_20181005_150809.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":818,"bigWidth":315,"bigHeight":560,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>Image by: Uploader<br>\nLicense: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a>\n<\/p><\/div>"}

You can also keep your middle finger just bit away from the seam. Your thumb should grip the the ball from below.The grip is really important for a good off cutter.
{"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/b\/b0\/Balltana.png\/460px-Balltana.png","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/b\/b0\/Balltana.png\/649px-Balltana.png","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":396,"bigWidth":650,"bigHeight":560,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>Image by: Uploader<br>\nLicense: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a>\n<\/p><\/div>"}

2

Turn the ball into the leg stump with an off spinning motion on the ball. Almost like a door nob turning clockwise. Your main target is to spin the bowl at full pace. It is important to remember that the ball is turning from the off stump towards middle and leg stump.

Advertisement
{"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/2\/23\/IMG_20181010_125417_01.jpg\/460px-IMG_20181010_125417_01.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/2\/23\/IMG_20181010_125417_01.jpg\/315px-IMG_20181010_125417_01.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":818,"bigWidth":315,"bigHeight":560,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>Image by: Uploader<br>\nLicense: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a>\n<\/p><\/div>"}

See the batsman and then decide where you want place the bowl.

Part 2

Part 2 of 2:

Releasing the Ball

Download Article

{"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/5\/51\/IMG_20181010_132140_020.jpg\/460px-IMG_20181010_132140_020.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/5\/51\/IMG_20181010_132140_020.jpg\/315px-IMG_20181010_132140_020.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":818,"bigWidth":315,"bigHeight":560,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>Image by: Uploader<br>\nLicense: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a>\n<\/p><\/div>"}

Clock your wrist backwards so the ball is released at the very last moment.
{"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/f\/f8\/Screenshot_20181016-074832_01.jpg\/460px-Screenshot_20181016-074832_01.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/f\/f8\/Screenshot_20181016-074832_01.jpg\/305px-Screenshot_20181016-074832_01.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":842,"bigWidth":306,"bigHeight":560,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>Image by: Uploader<br>\nLicense: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a>\n<\/p><\/div>"}

Think of this like you are turning a door nob. Try to generate off spinning motion through your fingers.
{"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/5\/53\/IMG_20181010_132207_020_01.jpg\/460px-IMG_20181010_132207_020_01.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/5\/53\/IMG_20181010_132207_020_01.jpg\/437px-IMG_20181010_132207_020_01.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":588,"bigWidth":438,"bigHeight":560,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>Image by: Uploader<br>\nLicense: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a>\n<\/p><\/div>"}

You need to do this step while you are rolling your arm. Think of this as your fingers are generating the spin with the help of your wrist.
4

Release the ball as your fingers drag the ball with a cutting motion from left to right. Roll the ball and release it with your index finger. Try to generate spin from left to right.

{"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/8\/84\/Releasegif.gif","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/8\/84\/Releasegif.gif\/180px-Releasegif.gif","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":818,"bigWidth":180,"bigHeight":320,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>Image by: Uploader<br>\nLicense: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a>\n<\/p><\/div>"}

Community Q&A

Search

Add New Question

Question

When do you turn or spin?

Preeti Singh

Community Answer

Bowling cutters starts with your grip of fingers and your wrist . Normally for turning it more, grip it tightly whilst spreading your two bowl gripping fingers.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 3 Helpful 9
Question

Is this for spin or for fast bowlers?

Raghav Krishna

Community Answer

It is for fast bowlers to generate some turn and deceive the batsman. It will not turn as much as off spin, as it must be released with speed so that the batsman doesn't hit the ball for six.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 0 Helpful 1

Ask a Question

200 characters left

Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.

Submit

Tips

Try bowling off cutters in a good length outside the off stump. This will entice the batsman to drive forward without expecting the turn.

Thanks
Helpful 3 Not Helpful 0
In order to bowl a slower off cutter, try rolling arm slower just before the final release.

Thanks
Helpful 1 Not Helpful 1

Submit a Tip

All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published

Submit

Thanks for submitting a tip for review!

Log in

How to Bowl an Off Cutter

Gripping & Throwing the Ball

Steps

Mastering the Grip

Releasing the Ball

Community Q&A

Tips

You Might Also Like

About This Article

Did this article help you?

About This Article

Quizzes

You Might Also Like

Featured Articles

Trending Articles

Featured Articles

Featured Articles

Watch Articles

Trending Articles

Explore Categories