Weekend batting drill: 5 easy exercises to raise your average

Ever notice how a few simple tweaks can turn a shaky weekend knock into a solid 30‑plus? I’ve been there – standing at the crease, watching the ball swing, and wondering why the runs just aren’t coming. The good news is you don’t need a fancy academy or a full‑time coach to lift that average. A handful of focused drills, done a couple of times a week, can make a big difference. Below are five easy exercises that fit right into a Saturday morning practice session, and they’ll help you score more runs without adding extra stress.

1. The “Shadow Bat” Warm‑up

What it is

A shadow bat is simply swinging the bat without a ball. It sounds almost too easy, but it forces you to think about your footwork and balance before the ball even arrives.

How to do it

1. Stand in your normal batting stance, feet shoulder‑width apart.
2. Pick a line on the ground a few meters in front of you – that’s your “delivery line.”
3. Imagine a bowler delivering a good length ball on that line. As the imagined ball comes in, step forward with your front foot, keep your head still, and swing the bat in a straight line.
4. Do this for 10 minutes, alternating between defensive and attacking strokes.

Why it works

When you practice the movement without the pressure of a ball, you can fine‑tune the timing of your front‑foot stride and the position of your bat. It also helps you keep the head still – a common mistake that makes the eyes wander and the bat lag behind. I started each weekend session with the shadow bat, and within a month my early‑shot confidence grew noticeably.

2. The “Cone Drill” for Footwork

What it is

Place a few cones (or any small objects) in a line about a meter apart. The drill teaches you to move quickly between the crease and the ball’s line.

How to do it

1. Set up three cones: one at the batting crease, one 1.5 meters forward, and one 3 meters forward.
2. Start at the crease. When I say “run,” sprint to the middle cone, plant your front foot, and play a short, defensive shot as if the ball is just outside off‑stump.
3. Return to the crease, then repeat for the far cone, this time playing a more aggressive drive.
4. Do 5 rounds, focusing on a quick, balanced foot landing each time.

Why it works

Good footwork is the backbone of a high average. The cone drill forces you to get your weight onto the front foot quickly, which is essential for playing both defensive and attacking shots. I’ve seen teammates who used to get stuck on the back foot start moving forward more naturally after a few weeks of this drill.

3. The “Target Net” Drill

What it is

A simple net with a few taped zones – a “good length” zone, a “short” zone, and a “full” zone. The aim is to hit the ball into the good‑length area repeatedly.

How to do it

1. Tape a rectangle about 1 meter high and 2 meters wide in the middle of the net. Call this the “sweet spot.”
2. Have a partner bowl or use a throw‑down machine, delivering balls at a comfortable pace.
3. Each time you hit the ball, check where it lands. If it lands inside the sweet spot, give yourself a point. If it lands outside, note the mistake (too short, too full, etc.).
4. Play 30 balls, trying to keep your score above 20.

Why it works

The drill trains you to judge length and adjust your swing accordingly. By giving yourself instant feedback, you learn to correct the mistake on the spot. I keep a small notebook in my bag to jot down patterns – “too many short balls on the leg side” – and then tweak my stance or grip for the next session.

4. The “One‑Ball‑One‑Shot” Challenge

What it is

Instead of playing a series of balls, you treat each delivery as a mini‑match. You decide in advance what shot you will play, then execute it.

How to do it

1. Before the bowler starts, call out a shot – for example, “cover drive” or “pull.”
2. The bowler delivers a ball aimed at the area you chose.
3. Execute the shot exactly as you imagined, focusing on foot placement, bat swing, and follow‑through.
4. If you miss the intended area, reset and try again. Do 10 different shots in a row.

Why it works

Recreational players often rely on instinct, which can be fine, but a deliberate approach builds muscle memory. By pre‑deciding the shot, you train your brain to line up the right footwork and bat angle before the ball arrives. I use this drill when I feel my shot selection getting sloppy – it forces me to think ahead, just like a real match situation.

5. The “Fitness Burst” – Core and Grip

What it is

A short, targeted fitness routine that improves the two things that matter most for a batsman: a strong core for balance and a firm grip for control.

How to do it

• Plank (30 seconds) – Keep the body straight, elbows under shoulders. This builds core stability for those long drives.
• Russian twists (15 each side) – Sit on the ground, lean back a little, lift feet, and twist a bat or a weight from side to side. Helps with the rotation needed for a good cover drive.
• Grip squeezes (20 reps) – Use a tennis ball or a grip trainer. Squeeze hard, hold for two seconds, release. Stronger hands mean less bat wobble on the edge.

Do this routine after your batting drills, three times a week. It only takes ten minutes, but the payoff shows up in steadier shots and fewer “bat slips” on the edge.

Putting It All Together

A typical Saturday practice, featuring the 5 simple batting drills, could look like this:

1. 10 minutes of shadow bat to get the mind and body in sync.
2. 15 minutes of cone drill, focusing on quick foot landing.
3. 20 minutes of target net, scoring each hit.
4. 10 minutes of one‑ball‑one‑shot, mixing up shot selection.
5. 10 minutes of fitness burst to finish strong.

That’s about an hour and a half – perfect for a weekend schedule that also includes a friendly match later in the day. The key is consistency. Do these drills at least twice a month, and you’ll notice your average creeping up without having to overhaul your whole game.

A Little Personal Note

When I first started coaching weekend players, I thought the biggest problem was technique. Turns out, most of the drop in averages came from simple things: a lazy footstep, a wandering head, or a weak grip. Once I introduced these five drills to my group, the change was almost immediate. One of my players, who used to get out for “caught behind” a lot, started playing with a more upright head and a solid front‑foot stride, and his scores jumped from the teens to the mid‑30s in just three weeks. That’s the kind of progress I love to see, and it’s why I keep the Weekend batting drill focused on practical, doable tips.

So grab a bat, set up a few cones, and give these drills a go. Your average will thank you, and you’ll enjoy the game even more.