YMCA Youth Sports
Baseball/Softball/T-ball
Coaching Tips
Maximize participation. Participation and movement is key in development of young athletes. Try
to keep groups and drill lines small in size. Give each of your players plenty of opportunity to
participate in each drill. Rotate players into different positions so each player can begin to learn
and develop in all areas of the game.
Be creative. Create new drills or make variations on existing drills often. Evaluate and keep notes
of drills that are successful and unsuccessful for your players. Make the necessary adjustments to
your practice plan and drills to create the most opportunity, participation and success for your
player and team development. Encourage input from your players on your team. A players input
can bring a positive energy and will empower them.
The links below are few sample drills designed for all types of skill levels.
Effective Practicing
Warm up & Conditioning
Throwing
Catching
Hitting
Base Running
Thank you for your time and efforts in volunteering to coach!
YMCA Youth Sports Staff
Effective Practicing – Have a Plan
Showing up to practice with a plan or script for how things should be run is a way to take pressure
off of you and your coaching staff. It will provide your players with constant instruction and
interaction. The following different drills will address areas of the game for baseball/softball/tball.
Many of the drills included can be used during practices, you can rotate from week to week
depending on what will need to be stressed to players for that particular practice. The drills can
me modified to fit your team. The practice plans you create can use these drills and be guidelines
for you throughout the season.
However you choose to use the drills will be up to you, we hope that they will be helpful for you to
teach your players the game of baseball/softball.
Coaches should be early to practices, have stations set up and interact with players as they arrive.
This sets a good example and engages your players from the start of practice.
Here are some tips to running a good productive practice:
• Have a plan
• Instruct all players and assistant coaches on all techniques involved in the drill.
• Include fun competitions or games to break up the instructions of drills – make it fun.
• Do NOT criticize – INSTRUCT. Players respond better to instruction and positive support then
they do to criticism.
• Keep the practice moving, but include time for warm up, cool down and water breaks.
• Multiple stations should be running throughout the instruction part of practice (coaching staff
member at each station). This gives players continuous repetition, and the result should be
increased skill set.
Practice plans should be geared for grade level and ability of your players. Try to instruct on all
parts of the game during pre-season practices. Once the season begins you may start to
emphasize areas of the game where your players need improvement.
Warm ups & Conditioning
Warming the body up before practice and games gets the player ready both physically and mentally
ready for exercise and competition. Warm ups allow for the increased power and strength as well
as prevention of possible injuries.
Stretch it out – Baseball/Softball players should stretch legs, arms and back prior to engaging in
practice and games. While players are lined up or in a circle, designate new player each week to
lead the warm up stretches (first practice coach should lead warm ups for example). Lunges, toe
touches, butterfly toe touches will be a good start to loosen up player’s legs, hips and back.
Follow up the stretches with conditioning drills (choose from examples below and depending on
grade level will determine number of sets and length of time):
Jumping jacks: 10 - 15 sets
Tuck Jumps: 5 – 10 sets (while standing have players jump reaching arms up and bringing knees
towards mid-section)
Jog in place: 20 – 30 seconds
Running Sprints: 4 – 6 sets (put cones or markers 10 - 15 yards apart)
Jingle – Jangle Drill: Place bases/mats at the distance of base paths apart in diamond shape.
Players then:
1. Sprint to first base
2. Side-step to second base.
3. Backpedal to third base
4. Sprint back to beginning of line at home plate.
(note when running bases during game it will be sprint to each base.)
Purposes of the conditioning drills are to improve balance, strengthen legs and core, develop
footwork and to help with change of direction.
Warm ups and conditioning drills can vary each week but should be included before all practices
and games. Introduce specific play situation during the drills which will not only change things up
but will increase concentration and coordination.
Throwing – One Knee
The ability to throw a base runner out, strike out the batter at the plate or hit the cut-off man
from the outfield are all important aspects of the game. Correct technique and instruction are keys
to teach young players the proper way to throw the ball.
What is needed: Each player must have a ball glove. A correct league size ball, and open field
space with no obstacles.
T = Throwing Player
T ---- • ------ C
C = Catching Player
T ----• ------
C
• = Ball
T ----•------
C
T ----•------
C
Running the Throwing One Knee Drill:
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Two players set up first initially about 6 – 8 feet apart.
Both down on one knee (if throw right-handed then right knee down).
Start with glove on ground in front of each player.
Start by showing players the proper 4 seam grip on ball.
Player with ball will get proper grip, player then will bend his elbow and hold forearm with
other hand.
The player then will bend wrist back and flick the ball to partner using only the wrist to
throw the ball.
Have players aim at other player’s glove for target. Each week move the distance back few
feet in order to show development.
Purpose of Drill: Develops players use of wrist and elbow along with teaching correct grip on the
ball. Also helpful in teaching catching drills.
Throwing – Step and Throw
Now that they are strengthening their arms with the stationary throwing drill it is time to work on
the step and throw drill which is key for accuracy and velocity.
What is needed: Players with gloves. One league ball per two players. Open field space with no
obstacles.
Running the Throw and Step Drill:
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Players will stand 5 – 10 yards apart facing one another.
Both players will get in the proper catching position.
Player with ball will step forward with their throwing side leg placing down in
front of them perpendicular to target.
As player places foot down they bring their back leg forward, swiveling their torso
to get lined up to the target.
As they complete the step with the back leg they will throw the ball.
Remind players that is a continuous motion and it is a progression for stationary
throwing drills.
Purpose of the Drill: Learn to step and line up throw in single movement.
Catching the Ball
“I got it, I got it!!”. Calling for a pop up or fly ball is basic baseball knowledge in order to avoid
collisions with teammate. Catching the ball whether it be a fly ball or thrown ball by teammate
enables the fielding team to get their 3 –outs in their half of the inning.
There are many different catching drills but probably the easiest and the most fun game for young
players to do is called the “Pepper Drill”.
What is needed: Minimum of 3 players with gloves. One league size ball for group. Open field
space with no obstacles.
P
P = Player
•
• = Ball
P
P
P
Running of the Pepper Drill:
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Players group together in circle depending on number of players per group will determine
size of area.
One player starts with ball in glove.
Without using throwing hand, players toss ball to each other from their glove only.
Even if ball hits ground have players continue to use glove only to scoop up ball and toss to
teammate.
This drill can be used both for catching and fielding of the ball with glove.
Can add to drill number of catches without ball hitting the ground or for fun the “hot
potato” aspect to speed tosses.
Purpose of the Drill: To stress to players the importance of using glove to catch and scoop up ball
instead of throwing hand. Develops eye/hand coordination with ball.
Fielding the Ball
“Get that glove dirty”, that is a common phrase used by coaches when instructing infielders on
fielding a ground ball that is coming in their direction. Using the previous “pepper game” will help
with fielding ground balls and will remind fielders that the glove needs to open and ready to scoop
up the ball right off the dirt.
Fielding drills should be a part of every practice. Through repetition and practice fielders become
more comfortable stopping the ground ball which will result in more ‘outs’ as the season goes
along.
What is needed: Players with gloves. One league size ball. Infield dirt area preferred.
P = Player
• = ball
P
•
P
P
•
P
Running the drill:
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Two players about 12 – 15 feet apart. One ball per two fielders.
Get in proper stance (see photo below). Feet apart bent at the knees, head up looking
forward, glove open and non-glove hand both down in front of body.
Player with ball throws ball out in front of them towards teammate on the ground.
Start with grounders that end up rolling and advance to bigger ball bounces.
Fielding player then shuffles feet to get in front of ground ball, glove down, eyes on the ball
and ready to get glove dirty to scoop up ball.
Advance to farther distances, after fielding ground throw to specific base/player/coach.
Purpose of the fielding drill: To work on proper stance, alertness, footwork and glove work. Plus
always fun to get dirty.
Hitting the Ball
Crack of the ball hitting the bat, fans watching the ball soar to the outfield, batter laying the bat
down and running to 1st base being waved on by coach to round 1st and head to 2nd base. Player is
‘Safe’ as they touch 2nd base. The excitement and the thrill of getting that hit is such a big moment
in young athlete’s experience. Whether it be driving in a run for team or leading off the inning with
big hit, every ball player likes to hit in the game of baseball/softball.
Key points for batting stance:
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Hands close together on bat with a relaxed grip on bat. The bat is gripped in the middle of
the fingers and not the palm of the hand. A relaxed grip allows the body to relax.
Feet should be straight or slightly inward and spread shoulder width apart.
Lower half of body will be in athletic stance with knees bent which will help batter
maintain balance throughout batter’s swing.
The head and eyes pointing straight at the pitcher, this give the batter a better chance of
seeing the pitched ball as it comes toward the plate.
There are many different drills that can be used for hitting. The “Soft Toss” is easy, safe and great
use of repetition which is key to getting better through practice.
What is needed: Batter’s helmet for player doing the hitting. Bat that player can hold up without
struggling with its weight. Volunteer coach/adult with half dozen league size balls. Chain link
fence to be able to hit into.
Running the drill:
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Have ball player with batting helmet on about 5 foot from chain link fence facing the fence.
Coach/adult then while down on one knee across from player about 5 feet away with league
balls ready to be tossed.
Batter has bat and stance in ready position. Knees bent, feet just as far apart as shoulders
and bat off shoulder in upright position ready to swing at ball.
Underhand toss and not too high, coach/adult lobs the ball up only as high as player’s
shoulders while it drop just out in front of player.
Player works on timing to hit the ball against the fence not to raise front foot too high off
the ground but rather just small step forward while the swing of bat occurs. Back foot
remains on ground and only spins in direction toward swing.
Purpose of drill: To work on correct batter’s stance, level swing of the bat, keeping eye on the ball.
Base Running
After that big hit, the batter becomes base runner. Proper base running techniques will allow the
base runner to run the diamond to home plate much more efficient.
Key reminders for base running:
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After a batted ball remind batter to lay the bat down on the ground on their way to 1st base.
Base runners should run on the foul ball side of foul/fair line in foul territory on their way to
1st base.
On grounded ball/infield hit base runner should run as fast as they touching 1st base on the
orange safety side of the bag and continuing their running about 10 feet beyond first base
then turning to the right in foul territory.
On an outfield hit. Again base runner should run to 1st base in foul territory and with ball in
the outfield base runner should round 1st base by touching the inside of base (white part)
corner nearest to them.
While on the way to 1st base the base runner should watch coach for instructions to either
round 1st and go to 2nd base or to stop on base.
Shortest distance between bases is straight line so remind base runners not to veer off from
the imaginary line between bases unless they have to avoid fielder.
Practice running bases with some of these basic base running drills: “1st base timing” or “1st to 3rd”
What is needed: Two coaches/adults. Open space area or ball diamond. Throw out bases (old
carpet pieces work great if no throw out bases). Place bases at the game distance for grade
level. Stopwatch or timing device whatever is available. Write down all players present on
piece of paper.
Running “1st base timing” drill:
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Batter (without bat initially) takes their batting stance at home plate. Coach with timer will
begin the drill by saying “swing”. Second coach will be beyond 1st base 10 feet in foul
territory ready to take high five from player.
Batter then will pretend swing without bat and then will take off and run to and through 1st
base while making sure base runner touches the base and give coach high five.
Not a competition between players but rather record time for individual player. Throughout
season run same drill and watch the time get faster and faster.
Add bat to drill then do pretend swing and practice laying the ball on the ground on way to
1st base. (Reminder throwing bat will result in an out).
Purpose of drill: To have batter/base runner practice laying the bat on ground and running through
1st base as fast as they can.
Running “1st to 3rd” drill:
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Base runner starts on 1st base in running ready position (one foot touching base and second
foot behind base). Coach with timer will begin the drill by saying “hit”. Second coach is
being the 3rd base coach and will be waving base runner to come to 3rd base.
Base runner will push off base and will run to 2nd base as fast as possible, half way to 2nd
base the base runner should look over to 3rd base coach to get instruction on whether to
stay at 2nd base or come to 3rd base (for this drill wave them to 3rd base).
Again coach will timer will record time for each player and throughout season will record
times to reflect improvements by individual players all season long.
Purpose of drill: To have base runner practice watching base coach on whether to stay at closest
base of continue to run to the next base.
Have a great season.
The YMCA would like to again thank you for volunteering to coach and we hope these coaching tips
will be helpful for you to use at your practices and games. If you have any questions regarding
YMCA Jr. Huskers baseball/softball rules or would like some other helpful tips please feel free to
contact the YMCA Youth Sports Office at 402-434-9217, M-F, 8:00am – 5:00pm.