Hi Coaches, i hope you can enlighten me on this troubling issue. I used to start my stance with my left shoulder slightly displaced to the left (i'm a leftie and female). My former coach said this will create clearance for the swing without hindrance from my hip. Everything seemed pretty fine till a friend (qualified coach)commented that I should stand upright and swing outwards as this is a better way to create a fluid swing and more speed. Now I'm no where... my stance is upright but my swing is round my body.. I can't seem to relate the swing plane to my body.

Another problem is with the starting stance. Should I bend my knees slightly before moving as my former coach says this will enable me to easily do the power step. My friend says this is silly and stressful for the knees. I'm confused....please help me. Thank you.

Your first coach was correct. An open shoulder stance will create swing room for the ball. The knees should be slightly flexed, never locked.