Not so much a coaching tip as a plea to all young cricketers or more specifically their parents. GET A BAT THAT'S THE RIGHT SIZE AND WEIGHT.
The size of the bat is relatively easy to judge and there is an easy way to judge the correct size. When you're in the shop, the batsman takes their stance, puts the bat behind their back foot toe and lets it rest gently into their inner thigh. The top of the handle should be about 3/4 of the way up the thigh. It becomes obvious if a bat is too big if when the stance is taken, the toe of the bat is resting some distance from the feet.
Probably even more important is the weight. There is no standard weight for a bat, whatever the size. If the bat is too heavy, the bottom hand will be needed to support it in playing all shots. A strong bottom hand grip results an angled bat. If the bat does come through straight, control will be difficult and it is likely to push through through early and too far, popping up a catch. Cross bat shots, such as the pull, will be difficult as getting the bat up high and through the shot in time is hard work.
What is the correct weight? Well what can a young cricketer easily handle. The bat may look great with professional looking thick edges, or be made of the cheaper kashmir willow which save a few pounds, but if a young, growing boy or girl cannot control the bat as they swing it around, even with one hand, then it is likely to be too heavy. GET A BAT THAT'S THE RIGHT WEIGHT.
If you can get to a shop where the bat can be tried out, that's far better than mail order. If you go the mail order route, make sure it's returnable if it's too big or heavy when it arrives.
