This week I have been lucky enough have interviewed 32 excellent coaches who are all vying for ECB Level IV spots.

An innovative idea popped up twice that I reckon could be of use to batsmen who have not found a way - as yet - of freeing the swing of the bat and as a result, struggle to hit with real power.

This drill is a bag of tricks!

One coach spoke to me about getting the groundsman to fill a rubble sack with old sawdust and ask a batter to stand in front of it in their usual stance. Another coach talked about the same drill using a bag full of recycled clothes or worn out curtains.

The batter would then swing the bat in their usual fashion and hit the sack.

The coach then asked the batter to describe the feeling of hitting the sack and to make note of the sound the bat made as it struck the sack or bag.

This provided a reference point for the player and gave the coaches an insight into:

• the technical awareness of the player
• the language patterns that he/she preferred to use.

The player was asked to swing again, this time to make a louder noise as the bat hits the object.

The batter then reports the sound and their feelings back to the coach with feedback on how they believe they could produce more bat speed and more power.

To enhance the drill, stick 2 pieces of tape on the sack/bag to mark a cross and asked the player to strike the cross with the middle of their bat whilst making as louder sound and getting as strong a feeling of power from their kinaesthetic awareness.

Verbal cues make can all the difference

One of the coaches stated that there were occasions where the player would either overswing and lose accuracy which was indicated by limited accuracy on the cross or alternatively, become a little timid this reducing the sound and kinaesthetic feedback.

If a player focuses on what they felt in their feedback then link your own language to theirs.

"What would happen if you got lower by bending your legs and drove your hips towards the target as you swing?" was one question that a coach used that elicited a positive response.

Another player spoke about becoming tense when they focused hard on the cross or target, so the coach responded with "this time, pretend that a bowler is bowling and track the ball to make contact with it around the location of the cross?"

Again, the response was positive in freeing up the swing and the player also noted a more accurate strike on the cross.

Repeat the drill until a level of consistency is achieved and then introduce some underarm feed in a net environment or where you have space.

I would be intrigued to hear about the players swing and power after that drill?

Could your bag of curtains be used in warm up ahead of a mid order batters T20 innings? Just an idea...