1. The non-striking batsman leaving his crease during the delivery in order to shorten the distance to complete one run. A batsman "backing up" too far runs the risk of being run out, either by a fielder in a conventional run out, or – in a "Mankad" – by the bowler.

2. In fielding, a player who stands or runs to a position several metres behind another fieldsman, such that he can field the ball if his team-mate mis-fields it, is said to be backing up.