LBW Full Form

LBW full form is Leg Before Wicket and is a tactic used in cricket by batsmen to stop the ball from touching the wicket. According to Law 36 in cricket, an umpire can dismiss a player practising an LBW. In the history of cricket, leg before wicket has sparked controversies, speculation and updates in the laws of cricket. If you are curious to discover about LBW, continue reading the article.

What is the Full Form of LBW?

The full form of LBW is Leg Before Wicket and is a method adopted by a batter to unethically stop a ball by the interference of their body. Umpires have the power to judge an LBW based on certain scenarios that include the location of the ball being pitched, the line where the ball is hit and many other factors. 

The earliest known leg before wicket came into light in 1774 when batsmen often used pads in preventing the ball from hitting the wicket. Over the years, several updates in the rules have been registered. After considerable amendments in lbw, from 1972 onwards, batters were not dismissed unless they hit the ball with their bats.

Rules and regulations in LBW

As you have already known a batsman can be dismissed on the grounds of LBW in case they try barring the ball using their hands. Well, a lot of perspectives are taken into account when giving LBW to a player. To rule out legs before cricket, a batter must qualify certain rules and conditions.

Here are a set of rules and regulations considered by an umpire when giving LBW.

• LBW is considered based on the first point of contact. Suppose, the ball hits the player’s hands first and simultaneously touches their body, in such a case it won't be called an LBW.
• If the ball remains outside the batter's leg stump and keeps swinging towards the wicket, it is not a leg before cricket. However, if the balls hitting the batsman's body are not in line with each other, the batsman will be considered LBW and is termed plumb LBW.
• As the name suggests, it is leg before wicket but obstructing the ball with any of the body parts will lead to LBW dismissal.

Evolution of LBW Over the Years

LBW rules, the full form of which is Leg Before Wicket, date back to 1744 when cricket was majorly played in England. During the era, curvy bats were used that often obstructed the wicket. Though umpires penalised players based on unfair means of stopping the ball with their bats or any body part; however, as the shape of bats became straight, players intentionally blocked wickets using pads which prompted the formulation of strict rules for LBWs. 

The first known Leg Before Wicket rule clarified that batsmen will be dismissed if they make a deliberate effort in stopping the ball from hitting the wicket with their legs. Post-1774, a wave of updates and tweaks were made in the conditions of ruling out an LBW. 

How to Avoid an LBW Dismissal?

LBW is a pretty complex, raising concerns and confusion among cricketers. If you are an ardent cricket player and don't want to lose a good opportunity due to leg before wicket dismissal, then make sure you follow the golden principles.

Track the ball vigilantly

The best way to avoid chances of LBW is to pay close attention to the direction and movement of the ball. Players must make a note when the ball is closer to the stumps. A close watch on the ball's movement can help you stay still as the ball approaches the wicket. It will definitely help avoid any dismissal.

Position your head straight

A player’s stance is an important factor in determining the chances of a lBW. If you keep your head straight and are positioned just over the feet, it can allow you to maintain a balance thereby eliminating a Leg Before Wicket situation.

Avoid wider stance

One of the prime reasons for LBW, the full form of which is leg before wicket, is not maintaining an athletic position. In case your stance is wider, your body might lose balance and stay at the risk of playing around your pad thereby, resulting in an LBW penalty.

Role of Technology in Reducing LBW Penalties

LBW has been prevalent since the existence of sports like cricket. Earlier, decisions used to lie with the umpires, and based on certain factors they determined when to penalise LBW or not; however, with the advent of technology, a wave of new changes has been registered. As per the data, England saw a marked increase in the rates of LBW dismissals with the introduction of hawk eye-tracking technology. 

Well, the use of technology has brought both good and bad implications for the players. With technology’s wider adoption, umpires somehow lost their sense of judgment and relied more on the on-field machines which have sparked controversies from time to time. 

In 2009, Umpire Decision Review System (DRS) was introduced that allowed players to take opinions from a third umpire who had access to television replays. Over the years, differing opinions questioned the accuracy of DRS; however, after a series of debates and updates, BCCI accepted the technology in 2016.