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T-Ball Fielding and Throwing Fun
These drills use soft balls and stations to teach young players fielding and throwing fundamentals in a safe and engaging way.
allallsmall-group20-30 min
Bring
- Smush balls (lots of them)
- Baseball gloves (optional for some drills)
- 2-4 buckets or cones (for castles/targets)
- 1 base or cinder block (for standing on)
- 1 large tire or hula hoop (for throwing target)
Host
These drills are best run in stations, 5-7 minutes per station, with 2-4 kids and 1 coach per station. Keep them moving and engaged!
Prep
- For "Defend the Castle": Place 1-2 buckets (castles) about 10 feet apart. Players will stand in front of them.
- For "Windshield Wiper": Place a base (or cinder block, or bucket) on the ground. Player stands on it. Coach stands 5-7 feet in front of the player.
- For "Tire Fire": Place a large tire or hula hoop on its side about 15-20 feet away from a throwing line marked with cones. Each player should have 2 smush balls.
Run
- Defend the Castle:
- 1. Player stands about 3-5 feet in front of their 'castle' (bucket).
- 2. Coach kneels about 10 feet in front of the player with a pile of smush balls.
- 3. Coach rolls balls to the player's left and right.
- 4. Player shuffles side-to-side, moving their feet and hands to stop the balls from hitting the castle behind them.
- 5. Player can use a glove or bare hands.
- Windshield Wiper:
- 1. Player stands on the base/bucket, throwing hand behind their back.
- 2. Coach stands 5-7 feet in front of the player with smush balls.
- 3. Coach tosses balls directly at the player's chest area.
- 4. Player uses their glove hand to catch the ball in front of their face, like a 'windshield wiper,' keeping fingers pointed towards the sky.
- 5. Emphasize catching with fingers up, even if they miss.
- Tire Fire:
- 1. Divide players into teams of 2-4 if possible.
- 2. Have players line up at the throwing cones, each with 2 smush balls.
- 3. Coach rolls the tire across the field.
- 4. As the tire rolls, players throw their smush balls, trying to hit the tire or throw them through the hole.
- 5. Award 1 point for hitting the tire, 2 points for getting it through the tire. Keep score if it motivates them!
Say
- Defend the Castle: "Hands out!"
- Defend the Castle: "Move your feet!"
- Windshield Wiper: "Fingers to the sky!"
- Windshield Wiper: "Catch in front!"
- Tire Fire: "Fire!"
- Tire Fire: "Hit the target!"
Watch for
- Defend the Castle: Players standing flat-footed.
- Defend the Castle: Players letting balls hit the castle.
- Windshield Wiper: Players ducking or moving their feet off the base.
- Windshield Wiper: Players catching with fingers down (tennis ball catch).
- Tire Fire: Poor throwing mechanics (focus on getting ball to target, not perfect form yet).
Harder / easier
- Easier: For "Defend the Castle," use larger, softer targets. For "Windshield Wiper," toss slower and closer. For "Tire Fire," roll the tire slower or have players throw from closer.
- Harder: For "Defend the Castle," use more coaches rolling balls from different angles (War Lord). For "Windshield Wiper," have players stand on a bucket for balance. For "Tire Fire," roll faster, have players throw from farther, or make it a team competition with a target score.
Why this one
These drills build fundamental fielding and throwing skills while maintaining a fun and safe environment for young athletes.
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