by Omer
(Pakistan)
Hi Coach, do heavy and light bats makes any difference in your bottom hand grip while batting? I feel while using heavy bat it is better to place the fingers under the handle and with light bat I can just grip it with my thumb and index finger. Plz comment.
Hi Omer, you are absolutely right, the heavier the bat, the more the bottom hand has to come in to control the bat.
Graeme Smith is a case in point, his dominant bottom hand grip has made his ability to control off side shots problematic. He has mastered this now, but for many years it was a challenge for Graeme to be able to dominate the off side with this grip. Perhaps this was from using bats too big and heavy whilst a youngster.
My advice would be to always go with a lighter bat where you have control of the blade and are able to use touch and feel to steer the ball into space.
The challenge with a heavy bat is that the weight of the bat takes over the shot and you lose the ability to control the blade.
The longer you bat with a bat which is either too big or too heavy the more it effects your technique and stroke production, both in the shape of the shot and the way it starts to pull your body out of alignment.
Power in your batting comes from co-ordination and the speed you swing the bat through the contact point with the ball. Thus, good batting technique and mechanics are more important than the size of the bat.
The more comfortable you are with the bat and the ease with which you can control it, especially top hand control, are the signs to help you with your bat choice.
Happy Batting, Coach
About Richard Pybus
I'm Richard Pybus, I've coached Pakistan, Bangladesh, Middlesex, Titans and the Cape Cobras in South Africa and the goal of this site is to help you to play winning cricket.