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Fielding Positions
Do you know your silly point from your backward point? Confused between gully and slip? Or just unsure of the difference between mid on and mid off?
This guide to fielding positions will ensure that you will know exactly where to go when the captain puts you in a certain position.
Wicketkeeper
 The most specialised fielding position in the team and the most used.
The wicketkeeper stands behind the stumps, although further back if the bowler is of a quick pace. The wicketkeeper will often stand right up to the stumps to a slower bowler, raising the chances of stumping a batsman.
Slip
 Positioned on the off-side behind the wicket, first slip is alongside the wicketkeeper, with second slip, third slip etc following in the same direction.
Reactions have to be quick in the slips as this is where the majority of catches are taken.
Gully
 Another close catching position just behind square of the wicket on the off side, the gully fielder has to have quick reactions.
Most chances that will come in this area will be from forceful shots from the batsman that have not been kept down, so the ball is likely to be travelling very quickly.
Point/Backward Point/ Silly Point
 This position is usually reserved for the best fielder in the team.
Point is found square of the wicket on the off-side it is a key position for fielding forceful shots off the backfoot such as a square cut.
Backward point is slightly behind square of the wicket, while silly point, as the name suggests is not a great place to field. Most commonly used when a spin bowler is in action in an effort to snap up any bat-pad chances, it involves standing just a couple of yards from the batsman, square of the wicket on the off-side.
Cover/ Extra Cover/ Short Extra Cover/ Deep Extra Cover
 The cover area spans from point all the way round to mid-off and is another crucial off-side position. Again populated by one of the more active fielders in the side the position aims to stop drives off the front or backfoot.
Extra cover is positioned between the regulation cover fielder and mid off, and if that fielder is then brought into a catching position closer to the wicket then it becomes short extra cover.
Deep extra cover is a more defensive position, situated out on the boundary.
Third Man
 Third man is generally a run saving position at around 45 degrees to the wicket on the off side.
It covers a large area, covering anything that pierces the slip and gully area.
Fine Leg
 Usually an area associated with bowlers, hoping to gain something of a rest between overs.
The position is on the leg side at around 45 degrees to the wicket.
Mid Off/Deep Mid Off/ Long Off/Silly Mid Off
 A captain will quite often field at mid off as it is the position closest to the bowler and the ideal place from which to encourage and discuss tactics from.
The mid off fielder has the job of trying to cut off the straight drive and has to stay on their toes to prevent quick singles from being taken.
Mid off is normally positioned about 25-30 yards from the batsman, while silly mid off is in close to the batsman looking for bat pad chances. Mid Wicket/Deep Mid Wicket
 Mid wicket is positioned on the leg side, between square leg and mid on, at between 45-60 degrees from the bat.
It is generally a run saving area rather than an attacking position.
Square Leg/Short Leg/ Deep Square Leg/Backward Square Leg
 As the name suggests, this position is square of the wicket on the leg side, next to where the second umpire stands.
There are variations on this position with deep square leg set back on the boundary, while backward square mean you would be standing slightly behind the line of the wicket.
Short leg is a position usually given to the youngest member of the fielding side. It is the dubious honour of standing just yards from the bat on the leg side and in grave danger of being hit.
Reactions have to be very sharp, but it is an area that necessitates the fielder wearing a helmet and shinguards.
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