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Tee Ball Tips & Focus for Coaches

FIELDING

  • Teach players where to play on the field for 1st, 2nd, 3rd, shortstop, pitcher, & short center field (when necessary) along with a good ready position for fielding (feet shoulder with apart mitt down)

    • Coaching tip for where positions are- Place position disks where 1st, 2nd, 3rd, shortstop, pitcher, and short center are and have the kids go to them.  This gives the players a physical location to go to and build their awareness of where theses positions are played

    • Coaching tip on playing positions-When the ball is hit to the opposite side of the field have the players that DID NOT have the ball hit to their side cover their base.  This will help keep players from chasing balls all over the field and that they still have a job to do even though the ball is not hit to them.

BATTING

  • Teach what side of the plate to stand on, how to hold the bat (hands together and bat on the shoulder), and guide them with foot position.  NO THROWING THE BAT!

    • Coaching tip for foot position-Lay the players bat down on the ground parallel to the plate and have them put their toes right up to the ends of the bat.  This will give players physical marks on where to stand and build muscle memory

    • Coaching tip for tee placement-Rather than moving the batter, move the tee to be even with the front foot (this should be where they make contact).  It is much easier to move the tee than batter and still have good foot position

    •  Coaching tip for batting-When placing the ball on the tee, place the ball with the label/logo facing the batter, get them used to looking right at the logo as they swing.  Keeping their eye on the label all the way through contact.  Giving them a specific spot to focus on keeps them looking at the ball

    • Coaching tip for dropping the bat-Before the batter swings remind them of the steps they are going to perform “eye on the star, step and swing, drop the bat, run to coach at first”

BASE LOCATION & RUNNING

  • Teach players where 1st, 2nd, 3rd, & home plate are and which direction to run when base running.  Along with understanding to run through first base.

    • Coaching tip for running through 1st base-Have your first base coach stand 5-7’ past first base encouraging for the batter to come give them a high five.  This will encourage the batter to not stop at first base but run through it