Although tee ball games are fun for both players and coaches, baseball skill development during practices is just as important, if not more important than winning games. Tee ball coaches should conduct age-appropriate and engaging drills during each practice session to teach their players the fundamentals of the game, including batting, catching, fielding, running the bases and throwing.
Box Hitting Drill
Tee ball players often have trouble standing the same way in the batter’s box every time and keeping their balance when they swing. The box hitting drill teaches these skills. Mark a rectangular box on the ground near home plate, about 3 feet long by 1 foot wide. Have one player at a time practice 10 swings from inside the box. After each player takes a turn, have them hit 10 balls off a tee from inside the box. If they do not stay inside the box, teach them how to swing differently so they can.
Catch and Throw Drill
Catching and throwing are two of the most basic skills tee ball players need to learn. Before starting the catch and throw drill, teach them how to catch the ball above their waist with their fingers pointed up and below their waist with their fingers down. Have a group of players form a line and stand about 5 yards in front of the first player with a ball. Cycle through the line several times, tossing the ball underhanded either above or below their waist, and having them catch the ball properly, take it out of their glove quickly, and throw it back to you. Provide encouragement and feedback to each player during the drill.
Chair Drill
The chair drill teaches tee ball players to field ground balls from the correct position. Have a group of players line-up next to a small chair. Tell one player at a time to sit on the chair with their feet wider than shoulder-width and flat on the ground. Teach them to lean forward while keeping their spine straight, place their glove on the ground in front of them with their palm facing forward and slightly upward, and position their throwing hand directly above their glove, ready to take the ball out. Explain to them that this is the proper ground ball fielding position, even without the chair. Roll several ground balls to each player while they sit in the chair and then remove it for several more repetitions.
Towel Drill
The towel drill allows tee ball players to practice throwing mechanics without worrying about where the ball goes. Use this drill before the catch and throw drill. Give each player a small towel and have them hold one end in their throwing hand. Teach them to start facing forward, step forward with their arm-side foot, turn their body toward their arm-side, raise their arms to make a letter “T” shape, step forward with their glove-side foot, and pretend to throw the ball by snapping the towel in front of them. Direct them through 10 to 20 repetitions.
References
- "The Baseball Drill Book"; Bob Bennett; 2004
- "Coaching Baseball Successfully"; Andy Lopez with John Kirkgard; 1996
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