The Art of Scoring Runs Begins with Your Setup - Raj Chaudhuri
- Feb 16
- 4 min read
In cricket, we often talk about cover drives, pull shots, and big sixes. But long before any of that happens, there is one critical moment that determines everything that follows - your setup.
In this session, Raj Chaudhuri breaks down one of the most important - and often overlooked - aspects of batting: the starting position.
This discussion is particularly aimed at young cricketers aged 11–12, who are just beginning their cricket journey. At this stage, habits are formed. Good ones can carry a player forward for years. Poor ones can take just as long to correct.
While experienced batters may develop their own rhythm, triggers, and individual style over time, Raj makes one thing very clear:
A strong technical foundation is non-negotiable.
Why Setup Matters So Much Early On
Raj uses a simple analogy from learning English.
When you first learn the language, you don’t begin by writing poetry or developing a personal writing style. You first learn the alphabet. Then spelling. Then sentence structure. Only after mastering the basics can creativity flow naturally.
Batting works exactly the same way.
Young players must first build:
A balanced stance
Correct toe alignment
Level eyes
Proper weight distribution
Relaxed hands
Without these, everything else becomes a compensation.
The Correct Batting Basics
1. Toes in Line
Your toes should generally be aligned properly towards the bowler. Misaligned toes affect your hips and shoulders - and that changes how you access different parts of the pitch.
Toe alignment directly influences:
Your ability to play straight
Your access to leg-side scoring areas
Your balance when defending
If the front toe is too closed, you restrict your movement. If it’s too open, you may fall over.
Subtle adjustments make a big difference.
2. Eyes Level
Level eyes are essential for judging length and line.
If your head is tilted at setup:
You misjudge bounce
You struggle against seam movement
You misread spin
Balance begins at the head. If the head is stable and still, the body can follow.
3. Equal Weight Distribution
Young batters often lean too heavily onto the front foot or sit back excessively.
At setup, your weight should be:
Balanced
Ready to move in either direction
Athletic and controlled
A neutral starting position allows you to react rather than guess.
4. Relax the Bottom Hand
One of Raj’s biggest emphasis points is the bottom hand.
Young players frequently “choke” the bat - gripping too tightly with the bottom hand. This creates tension and restricts flow.
A relaxed bottom hand:
Improves timing
Reduces hard hands and edges
Allows better bat swing
Helps play with control rather than force
The top hand guides. The bottom hand supports it should never dominate.
5. Slightly Open Front Toe for Leg-Side Scoring
Raj explains that slightly opening the front toe can naturally improve your ability to score on the leg side.
This small adjustment:
Frees the hips
Allows smoother access to middle and leg stump deliveries
Helps rotate strike
Makes you less predictable
But again — it must be subtle. Overdoing it creates new problems.
Why Fundamentals Lead to Runs
Young players often want quick solutions:
“How do I hit more fours?”
“How do I score faster?”
“How do I play spin better?”
The answer often goes back to something far simpler: Check your setup.
If your base is correct:
Shot selection improves
Timing improves
Confidence improves
Run-scoring becomes consistent
Style comes later. First comes structure.
For Parents and Coaches
This stage (ages 11–12) is crucial.
Rather than focusing only on match performances or highlight shots, it’s important to reinforce:
Balanced starting positions
Relaxed grip
Correct alignment
These habits compound over time.
At First Class Cricket Academy (FCCA), the philosophy remains simple:
Strong basics first. Repetition. Awareness. Growth.
When foundations are solid, flair can flourish naturally.
Final Thought
The next time you walk to the crease, ask yourself:
Do I consciously check my setup and toe alignment? Or have I never really thought about it?
Often, the difference between getting out and building an innings begins before the bowler has even started his run-up.
Coaching at First Class Cricket Academy (FCCA)
At FCCA, Raj Chaudhuri works closely with players in every session, focusing on building strong technical foundations that translate into match performance.
UK-based cricket coaching for juniors & adults:
If you’re serious about improving your batting technique, we’d love to help.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Why is batting setup so important for young cricketers?
Batting setup forms the foundation of every shot. At ages 11–12, players are developing long-term habits. A correct setup ensures better balance, movement, and decision-making, which leads to consistent run-scoring as they grow.
2. How should my weight be distributed at setup?
Your weight should be evenly distributed between both feet in a balanced, athletic stance. This allows you to move forward or back smoothly depending on the length of the ball.
3. Why is a relaxed bottom hand important?
A tight bottom hand creates tension and reduces control. Keeping it relaxed improves timing, prevents hard edges, and allows the top hand to guide the bat properly.
4. How does toe alignment affect scoring?
Toe alignment influences hip movement and access to different scoring areas. Slightly opening the front toe can help free up leg-side scoring, while correct alignment overall helps you play straighter and stay balanced.
5. Should young players copy professional players’ stances?
Not immediately. Professional players have developed their setups over years of experience. Young players should first master the fundamentals before experimenting with personal style or adjustments.
If you’re a player, parent, or coach - start with the setup. Because in cricket, the smallest details often create the biggest results.