R.D.
Almost ALL pinatas now come with the pull string, it doesn't have one?
Make a line on the floor; unless you're at bat, you stay behind the line!
I always let the younger kids hit first... if push comes to shove, let the older kids have at it with the piñata on the floor.
Funny side note, for my husband's birthday 2 years ago, I got a super sparkly girly cupcake piñata for his birthday and filled it with airplane bottles of scotch, LOL!! It was a hit! Super funny, NO ONE was expecting liquor to come out ;)