8U is the age of coach pitch and machine pitch. The pitches are friendly, but for the first time your child has to start their swing before the ball gets there. Most 8U strikeouts aren’t swing problems—they’re late starts and swings at pitches above the shoulders. Fix those two things and the hits follow.
8U hitters should work on three things: a balanced swing they can repeat, getting ready as the pitch is released, and swinging at belt-high strikes. Use tee, soft toss and short front toss for 10–15 minutes, 3 or 4 days a week. One goal per session.
Train it: 30-Day Complete Hitter →
What changes at 8U
In many leagues, 8U means coach pitch or machine pitch, sometimes with a tee after a few missed pitches. The pitch is steady and usually hittable. That’s good news: it means the skill to build is timing, not reacting to wild pitching. Check your league’s rules so you know whether your child will see a coach or a machine.
Here’s what 8U hitters need, in order:
- Balance. Finish the swing standing up, not falling.
- Ready early. Load (a small shift back) as the coach’s arm goes back or the ball goes into the machine.
- Good pitches. Belly button to top of the thighs. Let the high ones go.
- Contact through the middle. Line drives, not pop-ups.
The best 8U hitting drills
Up, down, swing
Stand about 15 feet away behind a screen (or kneel to the side) and toss underhand. Your child says “up” as your arm goes back (load), “down” as their front foot lands, and “swing” as the ball arrives. Saying it out loud fixes late starts fast.
How much: 2 rounds of 10.
Watch for: The front foot still in the air when the ball arrives. That’s late—start “up” sooner.
Freeze the finish
Off a tee set at belt height, swing and hold the finish for three seconds. Count how many statues in a row they can make.
How much: 10–15 swings.
Belt-high only
Front toss Wiffle balls at different heights. Before each pitch, remind them: “Belt high, I’m swinging.” A good take on a high pitch earns a point, the same as a hit.
How much: 15–20 tosses. Keep score.
Watch for: Chasing the high ones. 8U pitchers—coaches and machines—miss high more than low.
Line-drive towel
Hang a towel on the net at about head height. Off the tee, every hit on the towel is a point. Ground balls and pop-ups don’t count.
How much: Two rounds of 10.
Machine-pitch mimic
If they’ll face a machine, practice loading when the ball drops into your hand (like the feeder), then toss. Same rhythm every time.
How much: 10–15 tosses.
Want more? Try coach-pitch and machine-pitch hitting tips, the balance drill and tee drills for kids.
A simple 8U week
| Day | What | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Freeze the finish + line-drive towel | 10–12 min |
| Day 2 | Up, down, swing + belt-high only | 12–15 min |
| Day 3 | Play: Wiffle ball game, catch, running bases | As long as it’s fun |
| Day 4 | Mix two favorite drills; end on a win | 10 min |
Team practice and game days replace a home day. Two or three sessions in a busy week is still progress. For a ready-made routine, see the 10-minute practice at home.
What to skip at 8U
- Long talks about hands, elbows or “squishing the bug.” Use one simple cue at most.
- Bats that are too heavy. If the bat drags or they lean back to lift it, go lighter. Check the bat size guide.
- Pitching hard from close range at home. Use a screen, soft balls and slow tosses.
- Comparing them to the kid who already hits bombs. At 8, kids grow and click at very different times.
Watch for stepping in the bucket
The most common 8U habit is the front foot stepping away from the plate. It usually means the ball scares them or the bat is too heavy—not that they need to “step straight.” Start with soft balls and a lighter bat. More here: how to stop stepping in the bucket.
Is my 8-year-old ready for lessons or an online program?
If they enjoy practicing and can focus for about 10 minutes, a short structured program helps a lot at this age—it gives you, the parent, a plan to follow instead of guessing. The 30-Day Complete Hitter and 30-Day Swing Structure are built for exactly this. If they’d still rather just play, let them play; lots of Wiffle ball is great 8U training.
Give your 8U hitter a plan
Short daily lessons a parent can run at home. $49 each, first lessons free.
- 30-Day Complete Hitter — Hitting fundamentals, smart decisions, movement and a simple game plan.
- 30-Day Swing Structure — Balance, bat control and contact that works across locations.
- 30-Day Athletic Development — Move well, run, land and recover with bodyweight games.
Keep going
Parent questions
What should an 8U hitter work on?
A balanced swing, getting ready as the pitch is released, and swinging at belt-high strikes. Those three cover most 8U strikeouts.
How long should an 8 year old practice hitting?
About 10 to 15 minutes, 3 or 4 days a week, with team practice counting as one of those days. Stop when the swings get sloppy.
Why does my 8 year old swing late in coach pitch?
Most young hitters wait to see the ball before doing anything. Teach them to load as the coach’s arm goes back so they are ready to swing when the ball arrives.
What size bat should an 8 year old use?
One they can control. If they can’t hold it straight out to the side for about 10 seconds, it’s too heavy. Check your league’s bat rules before you buy.
Written by Coach Billy Kehoe, founder of 46/60 Academy and Athletic Hitting Development. Ranges on this page are coaching guidelines from years of working with young hitters, not research rules. League formats and distances vary, so check your league’s rulebook. Updated October 13, 2026.