My son is 14 and I want to help him play the pull and hook shots the right way. Is it better to teach him to play the shots with his hands coming up under the ball or try and get his hands up higher and over the ball so he has a better chance to hit the ball along the ground?

Develop both skills as they both play a part in maximising your run scoring opportunity, especially in the white ball format of the game. In white ball cricket it is important to hit the ball in the air over the fielders that are within the 30 meter circle, as there is in all probability no fielder behind them on the boundary. Your strike rate can be greatly improved by hitting in the air to these spaces as it most often returns 2 or 4 runs, if powerful enough then 6 runs. A shot along the ground to the deep fielders is nearly always just a single. Plus the more skills you have as a batter the better and it will keep your son's training more enjoyable to do both.

Teach your son to get his hands higher and roll the wrists at point of contact when playing cross bat shots. This will enable him to hit with power along the ground. The majority of dismissals are caught out. Bradman hit 618 fours and only six sixes in his Test career.

Teach both and your son will have more options at his disposal when needing to make the decision.

The height of the ball at point of impact will determine whether to play the pull or the hook shot. Both work off the same principles. I would recommend higher bat lift as this helps for greater bat speed in most of not all aggressive cricket strokes.

For me, the key elements to being competant against the shot ball are:
Still head
Solid base
Early decision
Commitment to the shot.

Hope it helps, or gives your son something to think about.

Great question Marcus.

A shot all junior cricketers should learn. and agree with other comments in that your son should practice both, keeping the ball down and hotting over the top.

Some basic tips for horizontal bat shots:
- Swing the bat high to low when wanting to keep the ball down
- Swing the bat low to high when wanting to hit the ball in the air
- At impact with the ball, your arms should be straight. (This generally means you are watching the ball and playing in front of your eyes)
- Stand tall
- Follow through, ensuring your hips/box face where the ball goes after contact is made.

Important to also practice ducking and weaving, ensuring eyes stay on the ball at all times.

Good luck
Mick

Hi,
I think your either a hooker or not .
If not % wise your better off going under them as it takes it out of a quick to bowl a good bouncer and they will tire quickly if you don’t hook .
If you want to see if your sons a hooker or plays it well just use a tennis ball and hit them at him with a helmet on , see how he goes .
The main thing is to get inside the flight of the ball , don’t worry about keeping it down just hit it for 6.
If they put 2 back don’t hook !
Been Match aware is important like when to play and when not to as if you are caught with 2 back you probably won’t last long.
Initially see if he’s a hooker or not .
S Waugh was a great hooker but shelved it !!

Thank you all for the insightful answers. My son has read them all and is very excited as its school holidays and we will be off to the nets soon to put it all into practice. Great platform

Firstly, great work Marcus on being there and helping your son. Great memories for later in life!

Without seeing your sons set up it is a little difficult to answer. If your son has a high bat lift then it would be easier for him to play the ball to ground. If he has a low bat lift it would be easier for him to come up under the ball.

Looking at the modern player, they have their hands high (almost like a base baller) which has them in a good position for these two shots.

Key points:
1) Head still
2) Momentum goes towards where hitting the ball
3) Hands high early
4) watch the ball onto the bat
5) Try getting inside the line of the ball.

Good luck and stay with it.