How to Teach Children to Play Baseball

Teaching children how to play sports provides opportunities for social and developmental growth. Coaching presents a rewarding experience for the right person. However, understanding that teaching young players to play baseball calls for a different set of rules, lessons and techniques from teaching teenagers. Their level of comprehending the intricacies of baseball does not happen until they mature. Learning how to approach children at this age level, in order to engage them, produces the best results. The key to successful learning at this age relies heavily on the teacher and his tools.

Things You'll Need

  • Baseballs
  • Tennis balls
  • Softballs
  • Nerf balls
  • Glove
  • Bat
  • Baseball tee
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Instructions

    • 1

      Explain the rules, terms and objective of the game before demonstrating how to play. Giving children an overall picture of the sport helps them understand that every position offers a specific skill that contributes to the depth of the team. Remember to keep the speeches short.

    • 2

      Keep it simple. When dealing with this age group, simplifying the game remains crucial. If you get too technical, you will confuse your players and they may lose interest. Think small and basic, then work your way up.

    • 3

      Begin with the fundamentals, such as how to hold, throw and catch a ball. These drills can be simple enough for this age group to learn quickly. Start with a softball, tennis ball, or Nerf ball; many kids will probably have trouble catching thrown balls during the learning process, and you are trying to avoid as many injuries or bruises as possible. Remaining patient, providing challenging drills and making the lessons fun are keys to active learning.

    • 4

      Demonstrate proper form at the plate. When teaching how to hit, show your young players the proper stance, grip, swing and follow-through. Showing each skill first before having children attempt it provides a good modeling tool that can make learning easier. This approach is particularly effective with batting. Start by having players hit off a tee so they learn how it feels to make contact, then gradually add other hitting drills.

    • 5

      Select drills that keep the pace of the practice active and keep the players constantly moving. This helps keep the children engaged. Children at this stage have shorter attention spans, so listening to long lectures on how to play can be boring. Children learn by actively participating in play and drills.

    • 6

      Wait until the players have mastered the fundamentals before introducing plays and scenarios. Starting their baseball learning experience with strategy talks will just perplex them.

    • 7

      Relate to your players. At this age level, understanding their individual personalities and how they digest information plays an important role in how you approach certain individuals. Every child learns at his own pace. The way you treat your players in practice will be reflected in the way they respond to you as a coach.

    • 8

      Stress teamwork. Whether you are coaching a Little League team or just teaching your son or daughter, demonstrate the importance of teamwork. Instilling a positive group dynamic reinforces respect for other players and encourages camaraderie.