Every young cricketer remembers the thrill of the first proper hit. The sound of ball meeting bat, the run and the cheer from friends all make batting the most popular part of the game. But good batting starts long before big shots. It begins with a handful of simple basics: a comfortable grip, a balanced stance, eyes on the ball and a smooth swing.

This guide explains those basics in plain language for young players and their parents. It covers equipment, the grip, stance, backlift, the forward and backward defence, basic drives, running between wickets, home drills and common mistakes. It is part of our series on choosing the best sports school in Bangalore.

A note on safety. Young players should learn with a qualified coach, use correctly sized equipment and wear protective gear such as helmets, pads and guards when required. This article is general information, not a replacement for coaching. If you are new to the game, start with our post on the right age to start cricket.

Start With the Right Equipment

Good batting begins with kit that fits.

Item	What to look for
Bat	The right size for the child’s height and strength. A bat that is too heavy ruins technique
Ball	Soft or tennis-style balls for beginners; harder balls only with coach guidance
Helmet	Well-fitting with a faceguard when facing harder balls
Pads and gloves	Correct size, comfortable and not restricting movement
Box or guard	Recommended for older players, as per coach advice
Shoes	Comfortable, with good grip

Try the bat before buying. Your child should be able to lift it comfortably and swing it without strain.

The Five Building Blocks of Batting

1. Grip
2. Stance
3. Backlift
4. Head and eyes
5. Footwork and balance

Master these first. Shots grow from them.

1. The Grip

A good grip keeps the bat under control and allows a free swing.

• Hold the bat with both hands close together on the handle.
• The top hand and bottom hand should work together, like turning a doorknob in the same direction.
• Hands should be relaxed. Squeezing too hard makes shots stiff.
• The “V” shapes formed by the thumb and first finger of each hand should point roughly towards the space between the bat’s edge and the shoulder on the back side.

Coaches may adjust the grip for each child, so ask for feedback in the first sessions.

2. The Stance

The stance is the starting position.

• Stand side-on to the bowler, with feet roughly shoulder-width apart.
• Keep knees slightly bent and weight balanced evenly.
• Head still and level, eyes looking at the bowler.
• Bat resting near the back foot, relaxed.

A balanced stance helps children move quickly in either direction. If a child feels wobbly, widen or narrow the feet slightly and practise standing still for five seconds.

3. The Backlift

The backlift is how the bat goes up before the shot.

• Lift the bat smoothly back towards the stumps, not wildly out to the side.
• Keep elbows relaxed.
• Keep the top hand in control.
• Aim for a straight line so the bat can come down straight.

A good backlift is like pulling back a swing before letting it go. It should feel natural and unforced.

4. Watch the Ball

The most repeated advice in cricket is simple: watch the ball. Young players should:

• Keep the head still.
• Look at the bowler’s hand, then the ball’s path.
• Try to see the ball hit the bat.
• Avoid turning away at the last moment. Practise with soft balls to build confidence.

5. Footwork and Balance

Good batters move their feet to the ball, not just their arms.

• Forward movement: a small stride towards the pitch of the ball.
• Back movement: a step back and across towards the stumps.
• Balance: the head stays over the front knee, and the body does not fall away.

Beginners should focus on small, controlled steps rather than big leaps.

Basic Shots for Beginners

Forward defence

Used against a ball that lands full or close to the batter.

1. Move the front foot towards the ball.
2. Keep the head over the ball.
3. Meet it with a straight bat close to the front pad.
4. Let the ball hit the bat softly and drop in front.

The forward defence teaches control and builds the base for other shots.

Backward defence

Used against a shorter ball.

1. Step back and across.
2. Keep the bat straight and the elbow high.
3. Let the ball come to you and play it down.

The straight drive

A beginner-friendly attacking shot.

1. Start in a balanced stance.
2. Step towards the ball.
3. Swing the bat in a straight arc from back to front.
4. Follow through with hands high.

Practise gently with soft balls, aiming to hit the ball back past the bowler along the ground.

Side-on shots

Once the straight shots are steady, coaches introduce cover drives, pulls and sweeps. These need more timing and coaching, so they are best learned gradually.

Running Between the Wickets

Batting is also about running.

• Call clearly: “Yes”, “No” or “Wait”.
• Run with the bat in the hand closest to the crease.
• Turn sharply and touch the crease with the bat.
• Keep eyes on the ball and the fielders.
• Communicate with the batting partner.

Good running builds fitness, teamwork and trust.

Simple Drills for Home or Park

Use soft balls and a safe space with no traffic or fragile objects.

1. Shadow batting. Practise the stance and backlift without a ball, slowly, in front of a mirror.
2. Ball on a string. Hang a soft ball from a tree or frame. The child practises hitting it with a smooth swing.
3. Tee drill. Place a ball on a cone or tee and hit it along the ground to a target.
4. Underarm throw-downs. A parent or friend tosses balls gently, and the child practises defence and drives.
5. Target practice. Place two cones as a gate. Aim to hit through them.
6. Reaction catch. Standing in the batting stance, catch soft balls tossed from different directions.

Keep sessions short, fifteen to twenty minutes, and end on a positive note.

What Coaches Look For

• A balanced, still head.
• Eyes on the ball.
• Straight bat in defence.
• Smooth, controlled swing.
• Willingness to listen and try again.
• Good attitude towards teammates.

At MS Dhoni Global School, the MS Dhoni Sports Academy offers coaching in cricket, football, basketball and lawn tennis, supported by a 2-acre sports complex. Mentors also guide parents on diet and health, which matters as training grows.

Common Mistakes and Simple Fixes

Mistake	Why it matters	Fix
Gripping too tightly	Stiff shots, less control	Relax fingers, hold like a firm handshake
Head moving	Misjudging the ball	Practise standing still, eyes level
Swinging across the line	Missing or edging	Think “straight bat, straight line”
Playing away from the body	Edges and mistimed shots	Keep elbows close and play near the body
Not moving feet	Shots go astray	Practise small steps to the ball
Fear of the ball	Turning away	Start with soft balls and build confidence
Trying big shots too soon	Wickets lost	Learn defence first

Mental Skills for Young Batters

Batting is as much about mindset as technique.

• Be patient. Not every ball needs to be hit.
• Stay calm after a mistake. One mistake does not define the innings.
• Focus on the next ball. That is the only one that matters.
• Enjoy it. Children who have fun keep improving.
• Listen to the coach. Learning never stops.

These mental habits link to values such as resilience and teamwork, which MSDGS also develops through programmes like The Leader in Me. The school’s guide to calm under pressure is explored further in our post on lessons from MS Dhoni for students.

Fitness for Young Batters

Basic fitness supports batting.

• Running and agility games for speed.
• Core exercises such as planks, adapted to age.
• Stretching for flexibility.
• Hydration and balanced meals.
• Rest days and enough sleep.

Follow a coach’s or doctor’s advice on training loads, particularly for growing children.

How Parents Can Help

• Cheer effort and good attitude.
• Avoid shouting instructions from the boundary.
• Offer to throw soft balls in the park.
• Make sure equipment fits and is safe.
• Keep the child’s schedule balanced with studies and rest.
• Celebrate small improvements.

For a broader look at sport and school, see our guide to the best school in South Bangalore.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the most important thing in batting?

Watching the ball, with a balanced stance and still head.

Should beginners use a hard ball?

Start with soft or tennis-style balls. Move up with a coach’s guidance.

How often should children practise batting?

Two or three short sessions a week are enough to begin with, plus play with friends.

Does MS Dhoni Global School offer cricket coaching?

Yes. The MS Dhoni Sports Academy offers cricket coaching along with football, basketball and lawn tennis.

Are admissions open for 2027-28?

Yes. The session is tentatively set to begin on 1 June 2027.

Visit the Sports Complex

Come and see the facilities, meet the coaches and watch young players in action.

Call +91-7397757777 or +91-7397767777, email info@msdhoniglobalschoolblr.com, or use the admission enquiry form.