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[Akewstick]

I'm 6'2", I haven't been playing long and my technique is still developing and ever-changing. I've only ever used short handled bats. I hold the handle right near the top and still I'm bending down a way to tap my bat on the ground, the ball of my right hand is now bumping on the lump at the top of the handle. Long Handles aren't actually that much longer, are they?

I'm worried that by holding a long handle right at the top I'm giving myself a lot more bat to swing and my weedy little arms won't be able to get any power into anything.

I'm also assuming that a Long Blade will result in the opposite effect of the mongoose Mmi3 or whatever it is, ie a longer blade means the middle needs to be thinner to be the same weight.

Anyone use either of these?

[Bambooman]

After over 20 years using a SH, I switched to a LH at the start of this season (I'm 6'1"). To be perfectly honest I haven't really noticed that much difference, although I may have been able to dig a few more Yorkers. It's all about preference and feel, Try a long handle in the nets and see how you get on with it.

[edge]

I'm a little taller than you at 6'3", had a couple of long blade bats but mostly used standard short handle (used other players' long handles and can't stand them). I grip the handle pretty much bang in the middle and never had a problem at all. Would maybe suggest your stance needs looking at? Longer bats can be useful in giving you a bit more reach to the ball, but if you're bending over uncomfortably and holding the bat in a way that's not comfortable, that to me says your stance isn't right and a 1" longer bat isn't gonna make much difference.

A picture would help, but do you tap your bat and then straighten into your stance, or is your bat on the floor as the bowler delivers? I assume the second, would an adjustment so the bat isn't touching the floor help? Can't be good if you're in an uncomfortable position as the ball is released, I'd suggest trying something more natural and not worrying about where your bat is.

[Akewstick]

I'm a little taller than you at 6'3", had a couple of long blade bats but mostly used standard short handle (used other players' long handles and can't stand them). I grip the handle pretty much bang in the middle and never had a problem at all. Would maybe suggest your stance needs looking at? Longer bats can be useful in giving you a bit more reach to the ball, but if you're bending over uncomfortably and holding the bat in a way that's not comfortable, that to me says your stance isn't right and a 1" longer bat isn't gonna make much difference.

A picture would help, but do you tap your bat and then straighten into your stance, or is your bat on the floor as the bowler delivers? I assume the second, would an adjustment so the bat isn't touching the floor help? Can't be good if you're in an uncomfortable position as the ball is released, I'd suggest trying something more natural and not worrying about where your bat is.

No, my bat's high when he releases, with the toe about level with my shoulders. I feel I need to touch the bat to the ground as he's running in as I'm susceptible to yorkers and not extending my arms to very full balls and playing over them (I know that's not the fault of my stance, but it makes me feel more secure that I know where my bat is in relation to the ground). But no, I don't stand up taller after I've tapped my bat, I stay with bent knees, my stance is already slightly wider than shoulder width and I tap my bat in between my feet, not behind them. The only thing is to tap it and then stand up taller, I might try that.

[roco]

I switched to long blade and its the best decision I ever made as the middle of the bat is in a better position and I don't bend over as much but its all preference.

I have tried long handle but hated the feel and pick up so its about taking plunge and trying one or if lucky like I was get someone to lend you one to try but ive found a huge difference

[trypewriter]

I think Tim2000 might be able to give you some pointers on this.

[edge]

No, my bat's high when he releases, with the toe about level with my shoulders. I feel I need to touch the bat to the ground as he's running in as I'm susceptible to yorkers and not extending my arms to very full balls and playing over them (I know that's not the fault of my stance, but it makes me feel more secure that I know where my bat is in relation to the ground). But no, I don't stand up taller after I've tapped my bat, I stay with bent knees, my stance is already slightly wider than shoulder width and I tap my bat in between my feet, not behind them. The only thing is to tap it and then stand up taller, I might try that.

Ah ok, pretty high backlift then. Doesn't sound too different to myself, I've always stood with relatively wide feet and tapped in between. Had a similar problem with playing over full balls when I was in my teens, switched to a long blade and and did definitely feel it helped.
However my batting improved a lot by the time I next bought a bat, I'd realised the main problem lay in not bending my knees when getting on the front foot. Moved back to a standard blade again as I couldn't find a LB at the time, and have mostly used SH since with no problems. So LB/LH could probably help based on my experience, but there's other things to look at too. Try and get hold of one to try (borrow/ebay?) and see if you feel more comfortable using it, if so then go for it!

[WalkingWicket37]

@tim2000s is the man to ask about long blades I think

[tim2000s]

Thanks for the mentions guys - as they've said, pretty much all my bats are long blade, and I find them very effective for me. But I'm a three inches taller than you.

Main benefits? It's longer so yorkers are easier to dig out.

Stance wise? Well you shouldn't really be leaning on your bat in your stance anyway. By all means tap the bat on the ground, but just before playing a shot you should be relatively upright with your eyes level, and this is unlikely to happen if you are leaning on your bat.

Otherwise, you can get them with middles in different places dependent on profile, and the balance is slightly different, but not enough to really worry.

Your best bet is to find someone with a LB to have a feel of and make sure you understand how the difference feels. I massively prefer them. I know a lot who don't!

[Akewstick]

I think it's going to be a trip to the new Uzi in birmingham to pick up some long blades. I'm sure I don't know anyone who owns one.