TEE BALL TIPS
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Batting
Bat SelectionThe starting point for any hitter is finding the right bat size. Have the player grip the bat at the end of the handle and lift it with one arm, fully extended, straight out from their body. They should be able to hold it level with the ground for three seconds without wobbling or shaking. If not, find them a lighter bat.
Safetey FirstYoung players don't pay attention to others around them when they swing a bat. For the safety of your players, set a rule during the first practice that no player is to pick up a bat unless instructed to do so by a coach and then enforce the rule. Also remind your players to never go near another player who is holding a bat.
Proper StanceA good training aid at practice can be useful in helping a beginning batter learn the proper stance in the batter's box. Try using a flat piece of rubber approximately 19' long and 5' wide, like the flat pitching rubber that is included with many throw-down practice base sets. Place the aid in relation to the tee where you want the toes of the batter. This will allow the player to assume the proper batting position with minimal assistance.
Pivot FootLet the batters practice pivoting their back foot by pretending to "squish a bug". By pivoting the back foot during their swing, the batter will generate more power using their hips and have fun learning how.
Throwing
Nose, Toes and ThrowsFor beginning players, it is helpful to use a rhyme to help the players remember the proper throwing motion. Say "Nose, Toes and Throws" as they practice throwing. "Nose" is for looking at the target before throwing. "Toes" is for stepping toward the target with their glove-side foot and "Throws" is for throwing the ball. It works! Have them begin their throwing motion with their glove-side shoulder facing the target to force them to turn their shoulders as they throw.
Accuracy CountsTo develop accuracy, use a fun drill that will make them want to practice. Take a 5-gallon bucket and lay it on the ground with the open end facing the player. Have them practice throwing into the bucket using their throwing technique (Nose, Toes and Throws). You will see a huge difference in their accuracy. The best part is, it's a lot of fun. The kids won't even know their practicing.
Fielding
Starting RightWith groups of three or four, teach beginners how to field by showing them the proper hand and body position for fielding grounders. With their gloves off, have them hold their hands in front of them and place their pinkies side-by-side, in a cupped position. Next, demonstrate for them how to bend their knees and get their hands near the ground while keeping their pinkies together. Remind the players to keep their backs straight as possible. With their gloves still off, hand roll grounders to them from eight to ten yards away. Roll it as slow as necessary for them to be successful. By starting this drill without gloves, it allows the players to see the correct hand position during fielding. Let them have several turns and then try it with their gloves on, using the same hand positions.
Speed BallTo help young players develop quick hands and learn to hussle for a past ball, use a fun drill that encourages speed. Have three or four players line up side-by-side with enough space between them that they can't touch each other with their arms out. From about ten yards away have a coach hand-roll balls to each one, in order, as many times as possible in one minute. Do it again and try to increase the number each time you do it. Have them run for past balls and make it fun.
Running Bases
Starting PointRemember that beginning players will not know to run to first base when the ball is hit. Try something very simple that teaches base running. At the end of every practice, line up all the players on the first base side of home plate. During their first practice just let them take one turn running to first base, all the way around the bases and back home without stopping. Make sure the players in line at home plate are not blocking the runners path as they finish. With each practice, add something new like base coaches at first and third stopping the runners randomly at different bases. This will get the players to watch their coaches for instruction and reinforce the need to be on a base when they stop. Later, let them hold a bat before they start and be sure they drop it at the plate when they run. Make them start over if they sling the bat more than three feet from the batters box.
Run Through FirstOne sure way to get runners in the habit of running through first base after an infield hit is to have a base coach give the runner a hand signal. The coach should give the signal while the player is running toward first base after a hit. The signal could be something simple like holding one or both arms straight up in the air. Have the base coach stand about four feet past first base and give the runner a "high five" as they pass. Have the player run seven or eight feet past the base.
Body and Mind Warm-upLine your team up on the first base side of home plate for a base-running drill. Before each player runs, ask them where a different base or field position is located. For example, ask the player "where is center field"? After a correct answer, or a simple point of the finger, let the player run the bases. Let each player have one or more turns. This will help them remember where all positions are located and that will make it easier to get them in the right spot during games. They think running bases is fun.
Bat SelectionThe starting point for any hitter is finding the right bat size. Have the player grip the bat at the end of the handle and lift it with one arm, fully extended, straight out from their body. They should be able to hold it level with the ground for three seconds without wobbling or shaking. If not, find them a lighter bat.
Safetey FirstYoung players don't pay attention to others around them when they swing a bat. For the safety of your players, set a rule during the first practice that no player is to pick up a bat unless instructed to do so by a coach and then enforce the rule. Also remind your players to never go near another player who is holding a bat.
Proper StanceA good training aid at practice can be useful in helping a beginning batter learn the proper stance in the batter's box. Try using a flat piece of rubber approximately 19' long and 5' wide, like the flat pitching rubber that is included with many throw-down practice base sets. Place the aid in relation to the tee where you want the toes of the batter. This will allow the player to assume the proper batting position with minimal assistance.
Pivot FootLet the batters practice pivoting their back foot by pretending to "squish a bug". By pivoting the back foot during their swing, the batter will generate more power using their hips and have fun learning how.
Throwing
Nose, Toes and ThrowsFor beginning players, it is helpful to use a rhyme to help the players remember the proper throwing motion. Say "Nose, Toes and Throws" as they practice throwing. "Nose" is for looking at the target before throwing. "Toes" is for stepping toward the target with their glove-side foot and "Throws" is for throwing the ball. It works! Have them begin their throwing motion with their glove-side shoulder facing the target to force them to turn their shoulders as they throw.
Accuracy CountsTo develop accuracy, use a fun drill that will make them want to practice. Take a 5-gallon bucket and lay it on the ground with the open end facing the player. Have them practice throwing into the bucket using their throwing technique (Nose, Toes and Throws). You will see a huge difference in their accuracy. The best part is, it's a lot of fun. The kids won't even know their practicing.
Fielding
Starting RightWith groups of three or four, teach beginners how to field by showing them the proper hand and body position for fielding grounders. With their gloves off, have them hold their hands in front of them and place their pinkies side-by-side, in a cupped position. Next, demonstrate for them how to bend their knees and get their hands near the ground while keeping their pinkies together. Remind the players to keep their backs straight as possible. With their gloves still off, hand roll grounders to them from eight to ten yards away. Roll it as slow as necessary for them to be successful. By starting this drill without gloves, it allows the players to see the correct hand position during fielding. Let them have several turns and then try it with their gloves on, using the same hand positions.
Speed BallTo help young players develop quick hands and learn to hussle for a past ball, use a fun drill that encourages speed. Have three or four players line up side-by-side with enough space between them that they can't touch each other with their arms out. From about ten yards away have a coach hand-roll balls to each one, in order, as many times as possible in one minute. Do it again and try to increase the number each time you do it. Have them run for past balls and make it fun.
Running Bases
Starting PointRemember that beginning players will not know to run to first base when the ball is hit. Try something very simple that teaches base running. At the end of every practice, line up all the players on the first base side of home plate. During their first practice just let them take one turn running to first base, all the way around the bases and back home without stopping. Make sure the players in line at home plate are not blocking the runners path as they finish. With each practice, add something new like base coaches at first and third stopping the runners randomly at different bases. This will get the players to watch their coaches for instruction and reinforce the need to be on a base when they stop. Later, let them hold a bat before they start and be sure they drop it at the plate when they run. Make them start over if they sling the bat more than three feet from the batters box.
Run Through FirstOne sure way to get runners in the habit of running through first base after an infield hit is to have a base coach give the runner a hand signal. The coach should give the signal while the player is running toward first base after a hit. The signal could be something simple like holding one or both arms straight up in the air. Have the base coach stand about four feet past first base and give the runner a "high five" as they pass. Have the player run seven or eight feet past the base.
Body and Mind Warm-upLine your team up on the first base side of home plate for a base-running drill. Before each player runs, ask them where a different base or field position is located. For example, ask the player "where is center field"? After a correct answer, or a simple point of the finger, let the player run the bases. Let each player have one or more turns. This will help them remember where all positions are located and that will make it easier to get them in the right spot during games. They think running bases is fun.
