LZZAPJ T Ball Sets for Kids 5-8,Tee ...

Tee-Ball Made Easy: A Guide for Parents and Coaches

Helping Young Players Perfect Their Catch

When teaching young players how to catch, it's crucial to help them align their glove and ball within their line of sight. Young children often lack shoulder strength, causing them to hold their gloves close to their bodies, which impacts their ability to catch effectively. Most importantly, children tend to position their gloves outside their shoulders to avoid getting hit, even though this makes it harder to catch the ball.

Pro Tip: Adult-Child Catching Practice

A highly efficient way to improve catching skills is to pair each child with an adult during practice. Having a 1:1 adult-to-player ratio ensures that young players get more accurate throws, thereby speeding up their skill development. Little League regulations recommend catching the ball every time it's thrown, even though scientific research suggests that young children aren't developmentally ready to catch a baseball. Pairing kids with adults increases their repetitions and skill improvement significantly.

If an adult isn't available for each child, ensure that children don't chase missed throws. Set up adults behind the players to roll balls back to them when they miss a catch. If extra adults are not available, place multiple balls behind each child to keep the practice continuous.

Catching Technique: 'Palm-up' Catchers

Many young players hold their gloves with the palm facing up when trying to catch a ball, similar to balancing a tray. This technique is ineffective, especially for balls above chest level. Help children point their fingers up when catching high throws. You can demonstrate the proper movement by moving from a 'Ready Position' to '12 o'clock' with your hands, and have the kids mimic this action repeatedly.

Throwing Fundamentals

Throwing doesn't initially come easy for young children. It's vital to debunk the myth that throwing is primarily done with the arm. Instead, teach kids to use their leg strength. Start by having them point their glove side at the target, then lift their elbows and get into a 'Power Position'. Teach them to 'Shuffle' towards the target and then 'Pull' and 'Snap' their throwing arm.

Using the phrase, "Shuffle, Shuffle, Pull, Snap" helps children remember the sequence. Initially, many kids will throw the ball with a high arc, but instructing them to throw the ball level with the ground will quickly correct this issue.

Receiving Throws at a Base

Young players must understand two critical concepts: the base belongs to the runner, and they need to prioritize getting the ball before touching the base. Teach them to be in a 'Ready Position' whenever they might need to catch the ball, and discourage them from looking at the runners.

Stomping the Base for Safety

Encourage kids to stomp on the base when tagging it. This not only makes the learning process fun but also reduces the likelihood of collisions since they must slow down to stomp.

You'll receive efficient and thoughtful service from C.T..

Defensive Responsibilities

Teach young players that baseball is a game of movement. When they're not fielding the ball, they should cover a base by following the 'Ball or Base' rule. This concept will take time for them to fully grasp, but consistent practice will help them develop these crucial defensive skills.

The 'Two Players, One Base' drill effectively teaches kids their movement responsibilities. Initially, focus on the four infielders. As they become familiar with covering bases, include the pitcher in the drills to solidify their understanding.

For a comprehensive guide to managing children’s sports equipment, check out our recommended article: Key Questions to Ask When Ordering Children's home indoor adjustable mobile basketball stand.

Infield Base Coverage Responsibilities

Basic Rules

1. If an infielder does not field the ball, they cover a base ('Ball or Base').
2. The third baseman and first baseman have one base each to cover.
3. The shortstop and second baseman cover two bases each, using the left and right rule.

It’s understood that early in the season, most kids will chase the ball rather than cover a base. The ‘positional movement’ drills will eventually guide them in realizing their base coverage responsibilities.

Positioning at the Base

Teach players the correct positioning at each base. For first base, stand between the base and the ball. At second and third bases, stand on the side the ball is coming from. For home plate, stand on the pitcher's side.

Positioning properly helps in avoiding collisions and ensures that they are ready to catch the ball efficiently. Avoid investing too much time on this initially, but it's essential for their understanding of the game.

Why the Pitcher Covers Bases

At times, both infielders may go after the ball, leaving corner bases uncovered. The pitcher acts as an insurance policy to ensure the base is covered. Early in the season, focus on teaching the four infielders their responsibilities before incorporating the pitcher into drills.

Interested in more information about baseball training sports children's toys? Contact us today to secure an expert consultation!