One of the primary reasons for 5- and 6-year-olds to play baseball is to learn the skills of the game. When very young players start to play the game, the idea is for them to have fun and to make friends, but also for them to learn to be a little bit better at the end of the season and maintain enough interest to continue to play the game.
Batting Tee Drill
One of the best ways to teach youngsters to hit the baseball is by using a batting tee. It is very difficult for 5- and 6-year-olds to hit a pitched baseball and swinging and missing can lead to discouragement. However, when you put a baseball on a tee, youngsters don't have to worry about a thrown ball. Instead, they concentrate on putting a level swing on a stationary ball. Players at all levels use a tee to hone their swing -- including major leagers -- and it can help build confidence and a great swing. Have each batter take 10 swings with the ball on the tee and then run out the last hit.
Gator Drill
The gator drill helps 5- and 6-year-olds learn to field ground balls. In order to get young players to use two hands when fielding ground balls, have players use the "gator chomp" technique. In this drill, the player puts her gloved hand on the ground and, once the ball is in the glove, uses her other hand to "chomp" down on the ball and keep it in the glove. The maneuver of putting the throwing hand down over the ball is similar to an alligator's jaw coming down when it bites. Hit each youngster five ground balls to practice the gator chomp drill.
Base Running Relay
Teach youngsters how to run the bases properly by doing the base running relay drill. Divide your team into two groups and place half of the 5- and 6-year-olds at home plate and the other half at second base. On your signal, the first player in each group will take off around the bases. Each player must touch every base and then touch the hand of the next player in line, who then runs around the bases. Continue in this same manner until all youngsters have run. The first group to finish the relay wins the race.
Coaching Very Young Players
You should not have any interest in playing winning baseball and developing all-star caliber players when you are coaching 5- and 6-year-olds. Young players have short attention spans, so don't give them any long drills. Start a new drill every 15 minutes. Young children enjoy playing games, so if you can make your drills take the form of a game, like the base running relay, you will have more players who are happy to practice and play baseball.
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