T-ball is a child's introduction to playing baseball or softball. The ball is hit off a batting tee rather than pitched, which means it is put in play on most swings, speeding up the learning skills. Teaching these skills and techniques in the proper manner can provide kids with an excellent foundation that will show them the game is fun. By offering positive reinforcement and making their experience successful, you will make kids feel as if they can always make the play.
Rules
A T-ball coach spends a considerable amount of time correcting form and skills during practice and games. Because of this, the rules are flexible. The players are generally 4 to 7 years old, so a coach must also take steps to keep their interest. The place that players most commonly lose interest is in the field. Give fielders the chance to be more successful by making the field smaller. Use portable bases and space them 25 to 30 feet apart. Modify the rules so that an inning cannot last more than a set number of batters, then switch, regardless of the outs or score.
Running Techniques
Most children love to run. Running warms them up and gives practice a fun start. Set up the bases and have kids run counterclockwise around them a few times to learn the proper sequence. One way for them to learn the station-to-station nature of the game is to chase each other in pairs to each base on cue. Give one runner a head start, and have the other try to catch up and tag her with the ball. If the first runner makes it to a base without being tagged, she is safe. Alternate the runner and tagger between bases.
Hitting Techniques
Use a string or rope and place a line on the ground the proper distance from the tee to show kids how far away they should stand. Adjust the length of the line by folding it or stretching it out to represent how far apart their feet should be. Show them proper hand placement on the bat with the back hand on top of the hand closer to the field. Teach each player to keep the bat head up while preparing to swing. Give the verbal cue to "squash the bug" with the back foot. By doing this, the hitter will rotate her heel outward and slightly bend the knee toward the ball. This will start the hips to rotate and begin the swing with the arms.
Catching and Throwing Techniques
Start catching drills with ground balls; some beginners can't catch balls in the air. Teach each kid to reach down with his glove and chomp the ball between his free hand and glove like an alligator. For throwing, one of the most common early mistakes is that kids will step and throw with the same side of the body. Teach them to step with the foot opposite the throwing hand and to point the toes to where they are throwing. At the same time, tell them to make a muscle in the throwing arm--to flex the biceps. Once they're in position, encourage them to step and throw and follow through after releasing the ball. Turn it into a fun game by setting up targets to throw at and knock over. For longer throws, set up a bucket and award points for getting the ball in, hitting it or landing closest to the bucket.
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