Important useful coaching tip on areas of debate

The following techniques are adopted and successfully implemented by Gary Palmer as a proven method of coaching.

There are different methods to arrive at a technique, but we should all be working towards the same end product.

There are not 3 different ways of playing the front foot straight drive. This is too confusing for both players and coaches. The most effective technique that has been used for years by all great players as a template to work towards is the right one:

• Backswing should go back towards off stump
• Start to step at the top of the backswing Or On the second part of the backswing for those players with two backswing movements. (Do not start stepping immediately you begin to pick the bat up)
• It is more important to bend the front arm to 90 degrees, rather than cock the wrists.
• Always exaggerate technique in practice especially the full face through the line of the ball for as long as possible.
• Encourage check swing when coaching front and back foot drives but finish shot with high hands.
• When driving, dip-leading shoulder, but focus on getting the head towards the ball and let shoulder follow - Do not turn shoulder too much.
• Controlled flow of the bat through the line of the ball with relaxed forearms, trying to swing the bat quickly when playing straight batted shots compromises technique and leads to mistakes. (Hook, cut and pull being the exception)
• Slower swing of the bat enhances timing and creates time for the player.
• When driving let the ball come to you but make contact slightly forward of the front foot, this will free your arms up, improve weight distribution towards the front foot and therefore lengthen your hitting zone thus enhancing stroke play.
• When on driving take very small stride, point front foot up the wicket and don't plant your foot any wider than the line of leg stump.
• When playing forward defence make contact with the ball forward of the front pad, so if the ball turns you can still play it with the bat.
• Bottom hand, one- handed practice is counter-productive when coaching front and back foot drives.
• Top handed practice when working on the drives is the best practice, you could possibility enforce.
• When grooving shots get players to hold the finished shape of the shot for a few seconds so it is easily imprinted into a players muscle memory.
• Shadowing the correct shot after playing it incorrectly is very good practice and should be enforced when possible.

There are not 3 different ways of playing the front foot straight drive.
This is too confusing for both players and coaches. The most effective technique that has been used for years by all great players as a template to work towards is the right one:

• Backswing should go back towards off stump
• Start to step at the top of the backswing Or On the second part of the backswing for those players with two backswing movements. (Do not start stepping immediately you begin to pick the bat up)
• It is more important to bend the front arm to 90 degrees, rather than cock the wrists.
• Always exaggerate technique in practice especially the full face through the line of the ball for as long as possible.
• Encourage check swing when coaching front and back foot drives but finish shot with high hands.
• When driving, dip-leading shoulder, but focus on getting the head towards the ball and let shoulder follow - Do not turn shoulder too much.
• Controlled flow of the bat through the line of the ball with relaxed forearms, trying to swing the bat quickly when playing straight batted shots compromises technique and leads to mistakes. (Hook, cut and pull being the exception)
• Slower swing of the bat enhances timing and creates time for the player.
• When driving let the ball come to you but make contact slightly forward of the front foot, this will free your arms up, improve weight distribution towards the front foot and therefore lengthen your hitting zone thus enhancing stroke play.
• When on driving take very small stride, point front foot up the wicket and don't plant your foot any wider than the line of leg stump.
• When playing forward defence make contact with the ball forward of the front pad, so if the ball turns you can still play it with the bat.
• Bottom hand, one- handed practice is counter-productive when coaching front and back foot drives.
• Top handed practice when working on the drives is the best practice, you could possibility enforce.
• When grooving shots get players to hold the finished shape of the shot for a few seconds so it is easily imprinted into a players muscle memory.
• Shadowing the correct shot after playing it incorrectly is very good practice and should be enforced when possible.