How to Bowl an Off Cutter

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Co-authored by Zendon Verster

Last Updated: December 3, 2025

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• Mastering the Grip
|
• Releasing the Ball
|
• Q&A
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• Tips

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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.

Steps

Part 1

Part 1 of 2:

Mastering the Grip

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1. 
   1
   Grip the ball with your index finger on the seam and put your middle finger on the right side of the seam. You can also keep your middle finger just bit away from the seam. Your thumb should grip the ball from below. The grip is really important for a good off cutter.
2. 
   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.
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3. 
   3
   Hold on to your grip while you are running into the pitch. See the batsman and then decide where you want place the bowl.
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Part 2

Part 2 of 2:

Releasing the Ball

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1. 
   1
   Hold your grip as you roll your arm for the delivery. Clock your wrist backwards so the ball is released at the very last moment.
2. 
   2
   Use your index finger to rotate the ball clockwise. Think of this like you are turning a door nob. Try to generate off spinning motion through your fingers.
3. 
   3
   Move your index finger towards your middle finger with a string grasp on the ball and your middle finger towards your thumb. 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. 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.

   
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Community Q&A

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• 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.

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• 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.

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  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

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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.
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• In order to bowl a slower off cutter, try rolling arm slower just before the final release.
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Tips from our Readers

The advice in this section is based on the lived experiences of wikiHow readers like you. If you have a helpful tip you’d like to share on wikiHow, please submit it in the field below.

• To make an off cutter more effective, place the shiny side to left so that a batsman thinks it will be an outswinger and become confused.

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