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[sachin200]

Hi Guys,
Here are a few questions to all the coaches out there.

1. When should you meet the ball a. when you are still on the move (when your weight is being transferred to the front or back foot) b. Once your foot movement is complete.

2. When should your bat downswing start a. while your foot movement is in progress b. while your foot movement is complete

3. How to avoid being off balance after completing the shot? Doesn't matter which drive you play, it eventually leads to opening of the shoulder (back shoulder becoming perpendicular to the line of the ball, and it also causes weight to fall towards off side. How to avoid this from happening (hold your stance) and still generate enough power through the shot? Does reducing one's stride help in this regard?

Thanks,
Sachin200

[Manormanic]

Its best to meet the ball with your feet planted as you then have a stable base which helps you to maintain your shape and transfer power efficiently through the ball.  The bat has to be moving in conjunction with your feet - there isn;t time for these to all be seperate movements.

3) appears to be the crux of your issue.  To me, it sounds like you are trying to take too big of a stride, which turns into an ungainly lunge - a good way of working on being more compact is to practice driving balls off hitting tees - this will help you to get the feel of moving your weight toward the ball, but not "at" the ball. 

[Buzz]

I would suggest that you are thinking too much rather than relaxing and letting your talent play the shots.

In reality being balanced is key, your head should move to the ball first your feet follow and your feet should be still with your weight moving forward through the shot.

Don't think about stride length, certainly don't think about when you start your backswing.

Try to be still and balanced and watch the ball.

[procricket]

As he said above head head head first