Print

[L21]

Morning Gents,

I have noticed in nets that I play a lot of shots high on the bat. I am quite short 5"5 so naturally the ball is a lot higher on me than others, and obviously trying to get forward isn't always the option.

I am wondering if anyone has any tips or techniques for this?

Also, would buying a bat with a higher middle assist with my shots in relation to power.

Cheers

[RoCo Da Pixie]

If you find you hit it high on the bat all the time. Then a higher middle sounds like the obvious thing to maybe look at. Worth seeing if a guy at your club has a higher middle bat that you can have a net with to see how it feels.

[addidasf55]

Morning Gents,

I have noticed in nets that I play a lot of shots high on the bat. I am quite short 5"5 so naturally the ball is a lot higher on me than others, and obviously trying to get forward isn't always the option.

I am wondering if anyone has any tips or techniques for this?

Also, would buying a bat with a higher middle assist with my shots in relation to power.

Cheers

If it's straight bat shots get forward more.
If it's cross bat shots then you're playing them late, could try a lighter bat/pickup.

Are you judging the length right? Levels eyes and all that?

[uknsaunders]

Higher middle is the solution. Both myself and @procricket B3 are short and use higher middles. Nothing to be ashamed of. If you hit it high up then so be it.

[uknsaunders]

If it's straight bat shots get forward more.
If it's cross bat shots then you're playing them late, could try a lighter bat/pickup.

Are you judging the length right? Levels eyes and all that?

Might need to explain this to me. How does getting forward more combat bounce? You can only stride so far and if you are 5ft nothing the ball will still bounce higher up the bat. If anything going back more would be the solution, the likes of James Taylor rarely get a full stride in and tend to stay back on the crease. This allows him to play off the back foot and pull or cut balls most wouldn't. In turn the bowler pushes it further up and allows him a half stride to drive.

Cross bat shots can be hit anywhere on the bat, height has no relevance.

[procricket]

A lot of where you hit the ball also is Down to hand positions too some people play with low hands

[addidasf55]

Might need to explain this to me. How does getting forward more combat bounce? You can only stride so far and if you are 5ft nothing the ball will still bounce higher up the bat. If anything going back more would be the solution, the likes of James Taylor rarely get a full stride in and tend to stay back on the crease. This allows him to play off the back foot and pull or cut balls most wouldn't. In turn the bowler pushes it further up and allows him a half stride to drive.

Cross bat shots can be hit anywhere on the bat, height has no relevance.

Apologies should've been clearer.
I asked about judgement of length because obviously if you're not judging it right you might be playing forward to balls you're better off playing back to.
But if they are fuller and you don't go forward enough at 5 foot 5 the ball will hit much higher up on the bat. By that I mean not only the stride but also the position in the crease.

As for the cross bat shots I know it doesn't matter where it hits it but obviously if you're trying to pull it to midwicket and it's going to fine leg, you're late.

[procricket]

Also lateness of playing crease position.

Can be pitch related too but I started learning by looking at my bag over a period and see where most marks are I tend to position my middle around 8 to 8 and a half inches up from the toe

[L21]

Any suggestions on a high middle bat? Would be open to a forum bat.

I think a 2"9 would be around the right weight, also would prefer super short handle due to my height.

Cheers

[ijmorgan]

Surely a Harrow bat at 2'9 would give you a lot more middle to play with, just a thought.

[400notout]

M&H Harlequin / Original High are both good options

[Seniorplayer]

the  thought that you need an high middle Bat makes little sense  why because batting is about how you play Technique and Timing are the key along with putting yourself in the perfect position to play the shot rather than where the middle of your bat is.

Also at 5ft 5 you should use an Harrow With a weight of around 2lb  6 ounces.

[uknsaunders]

Any suggestions on a high middle bat? Would be open to a forum bat.

I think a 2"9 would be around the right weight, also would prefer super short handle due to my height.

Cheers

Off the shelf - GM Icon, high middle and goes a long way down the blade
Custom - anybody on here

or

Chat with b3/Dave - they have a number of short (No Swearing Please) bat designs. I am just finishing one in very similar specs, harrow length / 2'8.5 with a high middle:-



The middle is around 9 inches up the blade. Will be posting to another topic when completed.

[InternalTraining]

Morning Gents,

I have noticed in nets that I play a lot of shots high on the bat. I am quite short 5"5 so naturally the ball is a lot higher on me than others, and obviously trying to get forward isn't always the option.

I am wondering if anyone has any tips or techniques for this?

Also, would buying a bat with a higher middle assist with my shots in relation to power.

Cheers

I am 5'6" and play on pitches with tennis ball bounce. All my bats have high middle.  I recently started using M&H Amplus (SH) and it works beautifully for me. I like the feel of a heavy bat and use 2-12 to 2-13 bats.

Getting forward is not always an option which is why it is perfectly fine to hang back and play strokes from the back foot. If the ball is pitched up,  then you can pounce on it. Otherwise, look to perfect your back foot punch, back foot drives. A nicely timed and back foot punch to the offside to a rising, fast delivery is a joy to watch.

[InternalTraining]

Any suggestions on a high middle bat? Would be open to a forum bat.

I think a 2"9 would be around the right weight, also would prefer super short handle due to my height.

Cheers

 When I'm not using my  SH size bats, I use a size-6 bat with a size 3 blade ( custom).  You will generate so much bat speed from this configuration that it is ridiculous. You can get the middle spot on high.

 I hold my bat an inch and a half below the top of the handle (if using a regular SH). This is also the perfect position for holding a size 6 bat from the top of the handle.