Cricket LBW Rules Guide: Understanding Leg Before Wicket Decisions and DRS Reviews

By Sarah Miller · May 30, 2026

What Is LBW?

LBW stands for Leg Before Wicket. It is one of the ten ways a batsman can be dismissed in cricket. The rule exists to prevent batsmen from using their body (typically their leg or pad) to block the ball from hitting the stumps.

The Conditions for LBW

For a batsman to be given out LBW, ALL of the following conditions must be met:

The ball must be legal: It cannot be a no-ball.
The ball must pitch in line with the stumps or outside off stump: If the ball pitches outside leg stump, LBW cannot be given.
The ball must hit the batsman body or equipment in line with the stumps: The point of impact must be between wicket and wicket.
The ball must be going on to hit the stumps: The umpire or DRS must be satisfied the ball would have hit the wicket.

DRS and Ball-Tracking Technology

The Decision Review System (DRS) has revolutionized LBW decisions. Ball-tracking technology (Hawk-Eye) projects the predicted path of the ball after impact:

Umpires Call: When less than 50% of the ball is predicted to hit the stumps
Out: When more than 50% of the ball is predicted to hit the stumps
Not Out: When the ball is predicted to miss the stumps entirely

Common LBW Misconceptions

Myth: The ball must hit the pad: Fact — LBW applies to any body part in line with the stumps.
Myth: If you are playing a shot, you cannot be LBW: Fact — you can be given out LBW while playing a shot.
Myth: DRS is always 100% accurate: Fact — ball-tracking has margins of error.

Understanding LBW is essential for both players and fans. The rule balances the contest between bat and ball.