Tee-Ball Throwing Drills

Tee-ball is a sport geared for young kids that are interested in the game of baseball or softball.  Tee-ball practice drills gets the little players learning and applying the basics in order to develop skills and techniques for the actual game of baseball or softball.  Drills are a common practice technique that is applied in all sports to help certain skills and form become second nature for the player.  It's exciting to watch these little ball players apply what they have learned, but for them they are just having fun.  Tee-ball drills help build self confidence in these little ball player and can assists them in overcoming some common fears of the game.  It is important that coaches keep the game interesting and fun and more importantly that parents are involved as well.

TEE-BALL WARM UP TIPS:

This is a vital step to any tee-ball development training or tee-ball practice drills.  This critical step allows the player to get their muscles and joints loose as well as circulation flowing to help aide in injury prevention.

1. First start with a few gentle stretching of the fingers, wrist, arms upper body and core; then move down to the hips and legs.  Get everything loose and limber for a great session of tee-ball drills.
2.  Next take a slow jog around the field.  One lap of the tee-ball field at a slow pace should do it. The purpose is not to over work your players but to get the blood circulating.
3. Another great tee-ball warm up drill is to space out a few cones equally apart from the base line to a determined length.  Players will have to run from the base line to the first cone, turn around and come back to the base line and then run to the next furthest cone then back to the base line. Do this until each player has ran the complete length of the determined length.  If you don't have cones available you can certainly use tee-ball stands (tee ball tee or batting tee) to mark the turn around points.
4. Once you are done with your warm up give a round of high fives and make sure your tee-ball team takes a brief water brake, especially if it is a warm day.

DRILL #1: DRY THROWING DRILL:

The purpose of this drill is to help focus the child's attention maintaining posture while throwing.  It is done without a ball to ensure focus is being directed to posture and form not where the ball is being thrown.  Tee-ball glove can be worn.

1. Have child stand in the athletic position (knees slightly bent shoulder width apart) hands center to the chest, shoulders in the direction of their target.
2. Shuffle feet forward (moving back foot first) and have child throw an imaginary ball.
3. At the end of the child's throw, have them follow through and turn around facing opposite direction standing in that athletic position again.
4. Repeat steps 1-3 to complete one set.
5. Have child complete 10 sets.
6. Observe posture and form and correct as appropriate.

DRILL#2: GRAB AND THROW DRILL:

The purpose of this drill is to help tee-ballers remember the proper hand position when throwing a ball.  The coach stands about 4 feet behind the player with about 10-15 balls.  (If balls are in short supply you can also have players throw the ball at a gate or wall and just reuse the same ball for each repetition.)  In this drill the tee-baller will release the ball.

1. The coach will hold the ball at about ear level of the player facing towards the player.
2. The player will reach back and grab the ball from the coaches hand. Player should grab the ball with their thumb down.
3. The player will then throw the ball utilizing proper throwing mechanics.
4. Observe throwing mechanics and adjust as appropriate.
5. Repeat 10-15 times for each player.

DRILL #3: ONE KNEE THROWING DRILL:

The purpose of this tee-ball drill is to ensure proper form is being implemented when a player is throwing a ball.  You will sound off three positions (Ready, Set, Throw) and observe the players posture and throwing mechanics.  This drill is performed with a tee-ball glove and ball in the players hand but the player will not release the ball.

1. Have players break up into three or four groups.
2. Have each group line up into single file lines.
3. The players in the front will take 5 steps forward and kneel in the one knee ready position.
4. Sound off Ready:  Players will place throwing hand and ball in tee-ball glove as first position.
5. Observe players posture and arm positioning and adjust as appropriate.
6. Sound off Set:  Players move arms with with knuckles up with glove pointing forward and throwing arm back.
7. Observe players posture and arm positioning and adjust as appropriate.
8. Sound off Throw:  Players bent elbow and follow through with the ball bringing the throwing hand to the outer side of the forward knee.  Make sure child does not release ball.
9. Observe follow through and adjust as appropriate.
10. Repeat four times them have them fall back in to the back of line then repeat steps 1-10 for the next group in line.

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