I always applaud kids when they attempt “fancy shots”. These include reverse sweeps, switch hits and scoops.
But this is unusual. The default is coaches who implore young batters to play straight. To learn the basics first. Don’t get too clever. Get to the risky stuff. They might even punish any attempts to get creative.
I disagree.
For several reasons,
You’re allowed to hit the ball anywhere so why not try it?
If a kid attempts a scoop and fails they have learned something. If they succeed, it’s another area to score.
It’s fun to challenge yourself to hit the ball in a different way. Cricket has enough of a reputation of being “boring” let’s not give kids more excuses to think it’s dull.
Context is still important. Scooping a 12 year old spinner when you need 5 to win in 3 overs is a high risk and has a low reward. So, it’s important to be reflective about why those shots are being attempted. Trying something new under match pressure is different from exploring a possibility and seeing if you can learn to do it. Understanding a player’s motivations is a crucial part of how you deal with any decision they make.
However, for me, practice doesn’t need to be as linear as “master the basics first”. Life’s a lot more messy than that. Take a moment to enjoy the glorious chaos of the attempt and see if it helps the players you coach.