The stance to take while standing up also varies with individual preference, but a few points must be noted.

Take the stance with the left foot in line with the off stump or a little outside so that you get the full view of the bowler in his run - up. You should be just close enough, so that your gloves reach the stumps even if you move a step sideways down the off side or leg side.

While in the stance, the pads or cap should not touch the stumps and the head is steady & close to the off stump. If the batsman is taking the middle or off stump guard, it is advisable to stand a bit wider. Coming out of the stance:

As the bowler gets into the delivery stride, raise your hips slightly and balance evenly on the balls of your feet.

After judging the line of the delivery, the knee must straighten slowly and the moves to cover the line of the line, all the time staying down.

After the ball pitches, the bounce has to be judged and the body straightened so that the ball is gathered at about waist height.

Whether you are keeping up to an off spinner, leg spinner or a slow medium pacer, the objective must always be to cover the outer edge of the bat.

For an off spinner or medium pacer, the hands are placed in line with the ball, while for a leg spinner or left arm spinner the idea is to place the hands where the ball will spin and beat the outside edge.

When the ball is wide outside the off stump, take a sideways step and turn the body and the gloves, so that the fingers are pointing sideways. The thumbs are kept out of the way and the right elbow is kept low to prevent the hands from splitting and allowing a gap for the ball to pass through.

Taking the balls down the leg side is difficult as the batsman obstructs the view of the ball for a fraction of a second and may cause you to miss the ball.

Judge the line and the bounce early and move quickly sideways with the hands leading.

The line the ball is taking must be `recorded' in your brain and even if you are not watching the ball all the time, you must anticipate where you can catch the ball. The pads must follow the hands to form the second line of defence.

The most difficult types of balls to gather standing up is the yorker or the over pitched deliveries as you do not have time to judge the bounce of the ball.

For such deliveries bring the pads together in line with the ball with the knees touching and bent. The head is kept low with the eyes on the ball.

Let the ball come to you and avoid snatching at it. The important aspect to be remembered while standing up is that you must expect every ball to come to you and watch the ball from the bowler's hand till it is safely in the glove.

Never think specifically about stumping a batsman. The basic objective must be always to gather the ball. If the batsman has stepped out and misses the ball, it is a natural instinct to take the glove towards the stumps after gathering the ball.

Keep your eyes focussed on the ball till it is in your glove. If the batsman is out of the crease, you would have seen it out of the corner of your eye. Avoid watching the batsman's feet or the stumps while gathering the ball. Your focus should be on taking the ball without fumbling.

The bails may be removed by a swing of the arms, through it is preferable that the body and hips turn towards the stumps while stumping. This helps in reaching the stumps when the ball is gathered wide of the off or leg stump.

The hands must move quickly after gathering the ball. Some top keepers even start their hand movements for a stumping before the ball is caught, though this is recommended only for professionals or others who have the natural ability and talent for this otherwise difficult and thankless job.