Lesson plan
Off theory
Off theory is a bowling tactic in the sport of cricket. The term off theory is somewhat archaic and rarely used any more, but the basic tactic still plays a part in modern cricket. Off theory involves concentrating the line of the bowling attack just outside the off stump. This area is often referred to as the "corridor of uncertainty", as unless a batsman knows exactly where his off-stump is, he will have to play a shot at any ball bowled there. Not doing this runs the risk that the ball will hit the off-stump, which would not only get the batsman out, but leave him looking extremely foolish. The attack is supported with several fielders in a cordon of catching positions called slip fielders behind the wicket on the off side. The aim is to entice the batsman to play at the ball with the bat away from the body ('fishing outside off-stump'). This provides several ways in which the batsman can get out: * Edging the ball off the outside edge of the bat to the waiting catchers. * Edging the ball off the inside edge of the bat into the wicket. * Missing the ball and having it pass between the bat and the leg pads on to the wicket (being bowled "through the gate").…
Article summary
Off theory is a bowling tactic in the sport of cricket. The term off theory is somewhat archaic and rarely used any more, but the basic tactic still plays a part in modern cricket. Off theory involves concentrating the line of the bowling attack just outside the off stump. This area is often referred to as the "corridor of uncertainty", as unless a batsman knows exactly where his off-stump is, he will have to play a shot at any ball bowled there. Not doing this runs the risk that the ball will hit the off-stump, which would not only get the batsman out, but leave him looking extremely foolish. The attack is supported with several fielders in a cordon of catching positions called slip fielders behind the wicket on the off side. The aim is to entice the batsman to play at the ball with the bat away from the body ('fishing outside off-stump'). This provides several ways in which the batsman can get out: * Edging the ball off the outside edge of the bat to the waiting catchers. * Edging the ball off the inside edge of the bat into the wicket. * Missing the ball and having it pass between the bat and the leg pads on to the wicket (being bowled "through the gate").…
Key claims
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Discussion questions
- Summarise the article in your own words. Which single claim would you verify first, and why?
- Which claim in this article is most likely to be revised as the sources update? How would you check its current status?
- If two sources disagreed about one of these facts, what would you need in order to trust one over the other?
Bibliography
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Key claims and bibliography are generated from the same tracked claims and sources as the article page.