How to Coach T-Ball Drills

Tee ball, or T-ball, is a game geared toward boys and girls ages four through eight. It is often a child's first exposure to team sports and is considered an entry point for baseball and softball. Players take turns hitting a ball off of a tee with a bat. After hitting, players try to get on base and eventually, score a run. Tee ball introduces children to concepts like batting, base running, catching and throwing, which are critical to competing in baseball and softball. If you are coaching a tee ball team for the first time and want to hold weekly practices in between games, there are a few drills you can run to help players develop basic skills.

Things You'll Need

  • Tee
  • Tee balls: 9 inches diameter, 4 to 5 ounces
  • Bats: 25 to 26 inches long and 2 1/4 inches in diameter
  • Helmets
  • Bases
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Instructions

    • 1

      Set up the tee ball field so that bases are 50 feet apart. Place the tee at home plate. Require players to wear helmets during practice. Select three or four drills from the USA Tee Ball Association's approved list for each practice. Remember that the children you are coaching are very young, and that incorporating fun into the drills and practice will help them enjoy the activity more.

    • 2

      Let players warm up and practice their throwing skills by pairing players together and having them throw tee balls to each other for 10 minutes. Ask the players to keep score of how many times they catch the ball and tell you afterward. Use the last three minutes of the catching drill to hold a catching contest where the last pair to not drop the ball wins.

    • 3

      Practice batting by setting players up around the bases and in the outfield. Give each player three minutes to hit as many balls as he can off the tee. Stand by home plate and set up the balls on the tee at the player's waist for the player. Have the player who is to hit next stand to your right to field the balls from the other players and put them back into a large bucket, from which you draw balls to place on the tee. After three minutes, switch batters. Continue the hitting drill until all players have had three minutes to hit. Consider running this drill at every practice, as repetition is the most effective means by which players will improve their hitting skills.

    • 4

      Practice fielding with the "crab drill" and "crow hop." Have each player stand in the classic fielding position, crouched forward with his glove open and down between his legs. Instruct players to take three to four steps toward you as you roll them balls. Practice the crow hop by instructing the player to take one short step followed by a hop to his left. Then, he should throw the ball in the direction of the hop. Repeat to the right side. Perform this drill with every player. Review Tee Ball USA (see Resources) for additional drill ideas. Encourage players with verbal praise and accolades for effort and teamwork at every practice and game. Remember that the goal is not to win at any cost, but to have fun, learn basic ball skills and gain exposure to teamwork.