Open a centered mound (300 g)

Centering is done. Now you make the hole.

Center 300 g and press your thumbs (or fingers) straight down into the center, stopping about 8 mm from the bat.

The feel

• You should feel the bat approaching through the clay
• The floor should be flat, not domed
• Check with a needle tool: push through until it taps the bat, then pull out and measure the wet mark

Common mistakes

• Going off-center during the push (brace your arms!)
• Punching through the floor (go slow near the bottom)
• Leaving a thick floor (means less clay for the walls later)

A good open sets up everything that follows.