Fun baseball drills for 5 and 6-year-olds focus on basic skills, movement, and enjoyment. These drills build a love for the game through engaging activities, setting a strong foundation for future baseball success.
Getting youngsters into baseball at ages 5 and 6 is all about fostering a love for the game. It’s less about perfect swings and more about chasing fly balls and hitting them with a little oomph. Many parents and coaches wonder how to make these early baseball experiences both fun and foundational. Sometimes, it can feel tricky to keep little ones engaged while teaching them the basics. But don’t worry! With the right approach, you can turn practice time into a highlight of their week. We’ll explore simple, effective drills designed to build essential skills while keeping the smiles coming.
Why Fun Baseball Drills Matter for Youngsters
At 5 and 6 years old, children are developing their motor skills and learning to follow instructions. Baseball, at this age, should be an extension of play. The primary goal is to introduce them to the sport in a positive and engaging way. Fun drills help with:
Developing Fundamental Skills: Running, throwing, catching, and hitting are all part of early baseball.
Improving Coordination: These activities naturally enhance hand-eye coordination and gross motor skills.
Building Teamwork: Even at a young age, learning to share equipment and take turns is valuable.
Boosting Confidence: Small successes in drills can lead to big boosts in a child’s self-esteem.
Instilling a Love for the Game: The most important outcome is creating a positive association with baseball that can last a lifetime.
Essential Equipment for Tiny Ballplayers
Before we dive into the drills, let’s make sure you have the right gear. For 5 and 6-year-olds, safety and ease of use are key.
T-Ball Bats: These are lighter and shorter than regular baseball bats, making them easier for young children to swing. Look for aluminum or composite bats designed for T-ball.
Soft Baseballs: For this age group, soft, foam, or rubber baseballs are best. They are safer for hitting and catching and less intimidating. You can find specialized T-ball baseballs that are larger and lighter.
Youth Baseball Gloves: A smaller, softer glove is essential. Look for gloves in the 9 to 11-inch range for this age. Gloves with an easy-close mechanism are great for little hands.
Helmets: For safety during batting practice, especially when hitting off a tee or with a coach pitching, a batting helmet is a must.
Little League Bases: These are usually soft and can be weighted down or secured so they don’t move easily.
Choosing the Right Bat and Ball
When selecting a bat for your 5 or 6-year-old, consider their height and strength. A good rule of thumb is that they should be able to hold the bat at the end and swing it comfortably without dragging it on the ground. For balls, we strongly recommend using a softer option. This reduces the risk of injury and makes catching less intimidating. The Little League also provides excellent resources on equipment safety for young players.
Top Baseball Drills for 5 & 6 Year Olds: Fun First!
These drills are designed to be easy to understand and execute, focusing on repetition and positive reinforcement.
Drill 1: The “Hit It!” Tee Drill
This is a classic for a reason. It’s fundamental for teaching batting stance, grip, and the swing itself.
Objective: Teach basic hitting mechanics and build confidence.
Equipment: Batting tee, soft baseballs, bat, helmet, glove.
How to Play:
1. Set up the Tee: Place the batting tee at a comfortable height for the child.
2. Stance Practice: Help your child stand with their feet shoulder-width apart, with their front foot pointing towards the tee and their back foot parallel to the batter’s box line.
3. Grip: Show them how to hold the bat with both hands, with their “top hand” knuckles lined up with their “bottom hand” knuckles. A relaxed grip is key!
4. The Swing: Encourage a smooth, level swing. Focus on watching the ball as they make contact.
5. Repetition: Let them take several swings, offering encouragement after each one. Don’t worry about strikeouts; focus on the effort.
Coaching Tip: Make it a game! Have them try to “hit it past the fence” (a designated spot) or “ring the bell” if you have a target.
Drill 2: “Catch Me If You Can” (Throwing and Catching)
This drill focuses on the basics of throwing and catching in a dynamic way.
Objective: Improve throwing accuracy and develop catching skills.
Equipment: Soft baseballs, gloves for all participants.
How to Play:
1. Pair Up: Have children pair up with someone they can stand a short distance from. Start close, maybe 5-10 feet apart.
2. Proper Grip: Show them how to grip the ball with their fingertips, pointing towards the target.
3. The Throw: Encourage an overhand throwing motion. For young kids, it’s okay if it’s a bit underhand initially, but guide them towards overhand as they get comfortable. Remind them to follow through with their throwing arm.
4. The Catch: Teach them to keep their glove hand in front and use their bare hand to “trap” the ball once it’s in the glove. “Make a window with your glove” can be a helpful visual.
5. Gradual Distance: As they get more comfortable and accurate, slowly increase the distance between pairs.
Coaching Tip: Celebrate good throws and catches! If a ball is dropped, simply say, “Good effort, let’s try again!”
Drill 3: “Fly Ball Frenzy” (Outfield Play)
This drill introduces the concept of tracking and catching fly balls.
Objective: Improve tracking of fly balls and basic fielding.
Equipment: Soft baseballs, gloves.
How to Play:
1. Shallow Outfield: Have a coach or parent stand at a moderate distance from the players (about 30-40 feet).
2. Rolling/Tossing: Gently roll or underhand toss the ball into the air, aiming for the players to run towards it.
3. Tracking: Encourage them to watch the ball all the way into their glove. “Eyes on the ball!” is a key phrase.
4. Catching: As they get closer, have them try to catch it. Don’t expect perfect catches; the goal is to get them moving and trying.
5. Variations: Toss balls to their left, right, and slightly in front to practice different movements.
Coaching Tip: Make them pretend they are superheroes catching something magical. Praise their hustle and effort, even if they don’t catch it.
Drill 4: “Base Running Relay”
This fun relay race teaches them the basics of running the bases.
Objective: Familiarize players with running to bases and understanding the concept of going “home.”
Equipment: Bases, soft baseballs (optional, for handoff), bat.
How to Play:
1. Set up Bases: Place the bases in a typical diamond formation, with the first base being the starting point for the drill.
2. The Start: The first player stands at home plate, holding a bat (or ready to receive a ball).
3. Run to First: On “Go!” they run to first base and touch it.
4. Continue Around: Then, they run to second, then third, and finally home. You can yell out each base name as a reminder.
5. Relay Element: For a relay, the second player waits at first base. The first player runs to first, tags the second player, and the second player then runs to second, and so on. This adds a fun team element.
Coaching Tip: You can add a rule where they have to “catch” an imaginary ball thrown from the coach before running to first base, or carry a soft ball from base to base.
Drill 5: “Worm Squish” (Ground Ball Fielding)
This simple drill helps kids get low to the ground to field ground balls.
Objective: Teach players to get down to field ground balls.
Equipment: Soft baseballs, gloves.
How to Play:
1. Ready Stance: Have players stand with their players in a ready position, knees bent, glove out in front.
2. The “Worm”: You or another coach rolls a ball gently towards them.
3. Get Low: Encourage them to get their glove on the ground (“squish the worm!”) and trap the ball with their other hand.
4. The Throw: Once they have the ball trapped, have them stand up and throw it to a target.
Coaching Tip: Use a funny voice for “Worm Squish!” and a silly dance when they successfully field the ball.
Drill 6: “The Target Toss”
This drill focuses on throwing accuracy in a controlled environment.
Objective: Improve throwing accuracy and aim.
Equipment: Soft baseballs, gloves, buckets or hula hoops.
How to Play:
1. Set Up Targets: Place several buckets or hula hoops on the ground at varying distances.
2. Throwing Station: Have players stand a set distance from the targets.
3. Aim and Throw: Instruct them to try and throw the ball into a specific target.
4. Scoring (Optional): You can assign points for hitting different targets or make it a team challenge to get a certain number of balls in the buckets.
Coaching Tip: Celebrate every successful throw, especially those that land directly in a target.
Drill 7: “Musical Bases”
A fun variation that combines running and listening skills with baseball base running.
Objective: Practice running to bases and responding to commands.
Equipment: Bases, a ball (optional).
How to Play:
1. Set up bases: Arrange bases in a diamond.
2. Play Music: Play some upbeat music while the players run around bases or just move around the field.
3. Stop Music: When the music stops, players must quickly run and touch a base.
4. Variations: You can have them run to a specific base (e.g., “Go to first base!”) or have a coach call out a base number.
CoachingTip: Use fun, energetic music that gets kids excited!
Making Practice a Positive Experience
Beyond specific drills, the overall atmosphere of practice for 5 and 6-year-olds is crucial.
Keep it Short and Sweet: Attention spans are short. Aim for sessions of 45-60 minutes, including warm-up and cool-down.
Positive Reinforcement: Praise effort, enthusiasm, and good sportsmanship. Specific praise (“Great cut at the ball!”) is more effective than general praise (“Good job!”).
Embrace Mistakes: Mistakes are learning opportunities. Frame them as such. “Oops, almost got it! Let’s try again.”
Keep Them Moving: Minimize standing around. Always have the next activity or drill ready to go.
Involve Parents: Encourage parents to be involved, whether by helping with drills, cheering, or just being present and supportive.
Focus on Fun Over Winning: At this age, the joy of playing is the most important outcome.
Safety First in Youth Baseball
Safety is paramount when working with young children. Always ensure:
Proper Warm-ups: Light jogging, stretching, and dynamic movements help prevent injuries.
Appropriate Equipment: As mentioned, use lightweight bats, soft balls, and properly fitting gloves and helmets.
Supervision: Always have adequate adult supervision during practice and games.
Hydration: Ensure players have access to water and drink regularly, especially in warm weather.
Awareness of Surroundings: Teach children to be aware of where other players and coaches are on the field. The CDC provides excellent guidelines on sports safety for children.
Sample Practice Schedule (60 Minutes)
Here’s a sample structure to give you an idea of how to organize a practice session.
| Time | Activity | Focus |
| :————- | :————————————– | :—————————————– |
| 0-10 minutes | Warm-up: Light jogging, dynamic stretches | Getting bodies ready, fun movement |
| 10-25 minutes | Drill 1: “Hit It!” Tee Drill | Batting stance, swing mechanics, contact |
| 25-35 minutes | Drill 2: “Catch Me If You Can” | Throwing and catching accuracy |
| 35-45 minutes | Drill 3 or 5: Fly Ball Frenzy or Worm Squish | Tracking fly balls or fielding grounders |
| 45-55 minutes | Drill 4 or 7: Base Running Relay or Musical Bases | Base running, agility, listening skills |
| 55-60 minutes | Cool-down & Review | Gentle stretching, positive wrap-up |
Adapting Drills for Different Skill Levels
Within a group of 5 and 6-year-olds, there will be a range of abilities. Here’s how to adapt:
For Younger/Less Experienced:
Start with very short throwing distances.
Use larger, softer balls and smaller bats.
Focus on one step at a time (e.g., just the grip, then just the swing).
Have them hit off a lower tee or even the ground.
For Older/More Experienced:
Increase throwing distances gradually.
Introduce coach pitching in a controlled manner.
Have them run bases without a relay.
Ask them to throw to a specific glove or target.
What About Parent Involvement?
Parent involvement is fantastic! Many parents are eager to help, but might not know how. Here’s how they can contribute:
As a Coach: Dive in and become an assistant coach. Your help is invaluable.
Drill Assistant: Help set up cones, hold targets, or assist with a specific drill.
Cheerleader: Offer positive encouragement from the sidelines.
Equipment Manager: Help ensure all gear is present and accounted for.
Positive Role Model: Demonstrate enthusiasm and a love for the game.
A great resource for new coaches and parents is the USA Baseball Coaching Resources. They offer excellent tips and drills tailored for youth development.
Frequently Asked Questions About Baseball Drills for 5 & 6 Year Olds
Q1: What is the most important skill to teach 5 and 6-year-olds in baseball?
A1: The most important skill is to foster a love for the game and encourage participation. Basic motor skills like running, throwing, and catching are foundational, but enjoyment is the primary goal at this age.
Q2: How long should a baseball practice for this age group be?
A2: Practices should be kept short due to young children’s attention spans. Aim for 45 to 60 minutes of active, engaging fun.
Q3: What kind of equipment is safest for 5 and 6-year-olds?
A3: Safety is key. Use lightweight, appropriately sized T-ball bats, soft foam or rubber baseballs, smaller youth gloves, and properly fitted batting helmets.
Q4: How do I keep young children engaged during drills?
A4: Keep drills short, make them into games, use lots of positive reinforcement, and keep the pace moving. Incorporate music or fun themes.
Q5: Should I focus on teaching them to hit the ball hard or just to make contact?
A5: At this age, focus on making contact and developing a comfortable swing. Power will come with practice and physical development. Celebrate swings that connect.
Q6: What’s the best way to teach throwing?
A6: Start close. Focus on an overhand throwing motion and following through. Use a softer ball and emphasize accuracy over power. “Knuckles” or their fingertips on the seams are good cues for grip.
Q7: Is it okay if they don’t catch every ball or hit every pitch?
A7: Absolutely! It’s completely normal for them to miss balls. The goal is consistent effort and learning. Praise their attempts and encourage them to keep trying.
Conclusion: Building the Future of Baseball, One Fun Drill at a Time
Introducing baseball to 5 and 6-year-olds is a rewarding experience. By focusing on fun, simple drills, and positive encouragement, you’re not just teaching them the game; you’re helping them develop confidence, coordination, and a lifelong appreciation for sports. Remember that every player develops at their own pace, and the most successful practices are those where every child feels engaged, supported, and excited to be there. Keep the games playful, the lessons clear, and the encouragement constant. You’re helping to build the foundation for a love of baseball that can last a lifetime, and that’s a home run in itself!