Aim and alignment with sticks

Setup

1. One hitting line with stations at least 3 m apart, everyone hitting the same way. A flag or tall cone 30–80 m out as the target, closer for juniors.
2. At each station, lay one stick on the ground just beyond the ball, pointing at the target, and a second stick parallel to it along the line of the toes. Leave a gap so the club can't clip the ball-side stick.
3. Players work in pairs: one hits (P), one checks (T1).

How it runs

1. P stands behind the ball, picks the target and a spot on the ground about a metre ahead of the ball on that line.
2. P walks in, aims the clubface at the spot first, then sets the feet along the toe-line stick.
3. T1 looks down the line from behind P while nobody is swinging: are feet, hips and shoulders parallel to the sticks? Then T1 moves well clear, back and to the side, before P swings.
4. P hits five balls with a half to three-quarter swing, repeating the whole routine for each, then the pair swaps.
5. Last round: take the toe-line stick away. P sets up, then T1 lays the stick at P's feet to see how close the aim was.

Coaching points

• Clubface first, body second.
• Feet, knees, hips and shoulders all parallel to the target line, like railway tracks: the ball on one rail, the body on the other.
• Aim at a close spot on the line; it's easier than aiming at something far away.
• Check the space all round before every swing, even with a partner nearby.

Common mistakes

• Pointing the feet at the target, which aims the clubface away from it (right for a right-hander, left for a left-hander).
• Feet square but shoulders open, pointing left of the target for a right-hander.
• Setting the body first and twisting the clubface to fit.
• The checker staying behind the hitter during the swing.