Coaching Batting Fundamentals

In this lesson you will look at safety before coaching batting. Batters facing a hard ball should wear a helmet with a faceguard, pads, gloves and an abdominal guard, and helmets are expected for young players facing a hard ball in line with ECB guidance. Make sure feeders and fielders stand in safe positions and that other groups are not in the line of hitting. Use softer balls for early technical work and for large groups. Check that bats are the right size and weight for each player, because an oversized bat makes good technique almost impossible and increases injury risk. Keep plenty of space between batters who are shadow batting.

• Full protective equipment for hard-ball batting
• Keep feeders and other groups out of the hitting line
• Use softer balls for early technique
• Check bat size and weight suit the player

In this lesson you will learn how to coach a sound grip. A common method is to pick the bat up from the ground with both hands close together near the top of the handle, with the V shapes formed by thumb and forefinger pointing roughly between the splice and the outside edge. For a right-hander, the left hand is on top and the right hand below. The grip should be relaxed rather than tight, with the top hand doing most of the controlling. Check grips regularly, as players often drift into habits that cause the bat to close or open. Remember that some variation is normal and comfortable players often grip slightly differently.

• Hands together near the top of the handle
• V shapes between splice and outside edge
• Relaxed grip with top hand in control
• Check grips regularly for drift

In this lesson you will coach a balanced stance and backlift. The batter stands side on with feet about shoulder width apart, either side of the batting crease, knees slightly flexed and weight evenly balanced. The head should be still, level and looking at the bowler, with eyes level. The backlift should go back towards the stumps or slip in a smooth movement, ready to come down straight. A good test is whether the batter can move easily forwards or backwards from the stance. Watch for players who are too open, too crouched or whose heads fall over to the off side. Balance and a still head are the priorities.

• Side on, feet shoulder width, knees flexed
• Head still, level and facing the bowler
• Backlift smooth and ready to come down straight
• Balance and stillness are the priorities

In this lesson you will learn to coach front-foot play, starting with the forward defence and straight drive. The head leads towards the line of the ball, the front foot steps to the pitch of the ball and the front knee bends. The bat comes down straight, close to the front pad, with the top hand in control. For the defence, the bat angles down with soft hands so the ball drops nearby. For the drive, the bat follows through towards the target. Progress from shadow batting to a drop feed, then a bobble feed and throw-downs. Keep the coaching points simple, such as head, foot, straight bat.

• Head leads, front foot to the pitch of the ball
• Straight bat close to the front pad
• Soft hands for defence, follow through for drive
• Progress from shadow to drop feed to throw-downs

In this lesson you will coach back-foot play for shorter deliveries. The back foot moves back and across towards the off stump, staying parallel to the crease, so the batter gets in line and gains time. The head stays still and over the ball. For the back-foot defence, the bat is straight, with the top hand high and the bottom hand relaxed. For the back-foot punch or drive, the batter stays tall and drives through the line. Use throw-downs that bounce at a safe, controlled height, ideally with tennis or softer balls at first. Always build back-foot practice carefully and never use deliberately unsafe short-pitched feeds with beginners.

• Back foot moves back and across, parallel to crease
• Head still and over the ball
• Top hand high, bottom hand relaxed
• Use controlled, safe feeds with softer balls

In this lesson you will coach running between the wickets, which wins and loses many T20 matches. Teach the three calls: yes, no and wait, called loudly and early. The batter who can see the ball best usually makes the call, so normally the striker calls for shots in front of the wicket and the non-striker for shots behind. Teach players to back up at the non-striker's end, to run the bat in along the ground to make their ground, and to turn facing the ball. Use relay races and running games that include calling, so players practise decision-making rather than just running.

• Clear calls: yes, no and wait
• Striker calls in front, non-striker behind
• Back up and run the bat in along the ground
• Turn facing the ball and use calling games

In this lesson you will look at practical feeding methods. A drop feed, where the ball is dropped from a safe height to the side, is ideal for developing front-foot drives. A bobble feed rolls or bounces the ball gently from the side. Side-arm or underarm throw-downs from a safe distance add pace and line. Bowling machines can be useful but should only be operated by trained adults following the manufacturer's safety instructions. Set targets such as cones or gates to give purpose and feedback. Keep groups small so batters get plenty of repetitions, and rotate roles between batting, feeding and fielding.

• Drop and bobble feeds for early technique
• Throw-downs add pace from a safe distance
• Bowling machines only by trained adults
• Targets and small groups maximise learning