6U T-Ball Throwing Drills: Building the Basics

Forget everything you know about proper four-seam grips. At 6U, we're just trying to get them to hold the ball without dropping it. I've seen kids try to throw with the ball balanced on their palm like they're serving tea.

Start with the basic grip: Ball sits in the fingers, not buried in the palm. That's it. Don't overthink it. If they're holding it like they're going to throw it forward instead of backwards, you're winning.

I use what I call the "ice cream cone" method - tell them to hold the ball like they're holding the bottom of an ice cream cone. Works every time, and they actually remember it.

This is the most important drill you'll do all season, and it's almost embarrassingly simple. Have them point at their target with their glove hand before they throw. That's it.

Setup: Partners stand 8-10 feet apart (closer than you think). One ball between them.

How it works: Point at your partner's chest with your glove hand, then throw. Catch it however you can, doesn't matter. Point, then throw.

Why it works: It gets their body facing the right direction without having to explain "step with your opposite foot" to a 6-year-old. Plus, pointing is something they already know how to do.

I cannot stress this enough: start closer than you think you should. My son's first coach had 6-year-olds throwing from 20 feet apart. It was a disaster. Kids were chucking balls over heads, into the dirt, everywhere but to their partner.

Progressive distances: Start at 6 feet, then 8 feet, then 10 feet max. Stay there for most of practice. When throws are consistently reaching their partner's chest area, then you can back up a step.

Success builds confidence. Ten good throws from 8 feet beats one lucky throw from 15 feet every time.

Kids this age need targets, not just "throw it to Jimmy." I learned this when I watched my son throw at everything except his partner for five straight minutes during a simple catch drill.

Setup: Use cones, buckets, or even draw chalk circles on a fence. Give each target a fun name.

How it works: Kids throw at "Monster's Mouth" (big cone) or try to knock down "The Tower" (stack of cones). Keep score, celebrate hits, make it loud.

Why it works: They're focusing on hitting something specific instead of just "throwing good." Plus, when they miss, they're not disappointing a teammate.

Regular partner catch is boring for 6-year-olds. I've tried it. Half the kids end up throwing at birds or picking grass. You need games that keep them engaged and throwing.

Hot Potato: Partners throw back and forth as fast as they can (safely). Count throws in 30 seconds. Try to beat your record.

Step Back: Start close, make three good throws each, take one step back. See how far you can get before throws stop reaching your partner.

Color Catch: Call out colors. Kids can only throw when they hear their team color. Keeps them listening and engaged.

Here's what I wish someone had told me: stop trying to fix their throwing motion. Seriously. I spent weeks trying to get kids to "step and throw" properly. You know what worked better? Just letting them throw however felt comfortable and celebrating when the ball went forward.

At 6U, we're building confidence and basic coordination. The fancy mechanics come later. If they're getting the ball to their target most of the time, that's a win. Don't mess with success by overcoaching.

I use my BenchCoach app to track simple things: Did they throw it forward? Did it reach their partner? That's success at this level.

The secret weapon in youth baseball coaching isn't a drill - it's enthusiasm. These kids need to hear "Great throw!" about 50 times more than they need to hear "Keep your elbow up."

Celebrate everything: Throws that reach their partner, catches that stick, even good attempts that miss. Make noise, give high fives, act like every decent throw is the best thing you've seen all day.

I started keeping a mental count of positive vs. instructional comments during throwing practice. The ratio should be about 5:1 in favor of celebration. When kids feel good about throwing, they want to do it more. When they want to do it more, they get better.

Ball going backwards: This happens more than you'd think. Have them point where they want the ball to go before throwing. Usually fixes it instantly.

Throwing too hard: Kids think harder equals better. Tell them to throw "like you're handing the ball to your partner." Use the phrase "soft toss" constantly.

Not letting go: Some kids hold on too long and the ball goes straight down. Have them practice "opening their hand" after pointing at the target.

Getting frustrated: Move closer together. Success is the best cure for frustration. Sometimes I move partners so close they're almost handing the ball to each other. That's fine.