You have 12 girls, one hour and three parents who said "sure, I can help" without knowing what that means. Here's the deal: a written plan turns those three parents into coaches. This is the exact hour I'd hand you, plus how to change it as the season goes.
A good 8U softball practice plan runs 60 minutes: a 10-minute warm-up, three 10-minute stations for hitting, fielding and throwing with a parent at each, a 12-minute mini-game and a short huddle. Keep groups to four girls and change one thing every two weeks as the team improves.
Train it: 46/60 Coach Playbook ($59) → Free: Free Practice Plan Builder →The 60-minute 8U softball practice, minute by minute
This plan fits 12 girls split into three groups of four. Mix new and experienced players in each group so every group can play catch.
| Minutes | What happens | Coach's job |
|---|---|---|
| 0–3 | Huddle, names, today's one goal | Say the goal in one sentence |
| 3–10 | Base-path jog, then partner catch | Start partners close, back up slowly |
| 10–12 | Water, move to first station | Groups walk, helpers ready |
| 12–42 | Three 10-minute stations, rotate on a whistle | Float, watch, give one cue |
| 42–45 | Water break | Set up the game |
| 45–57 | Mini-game, coach pitches | Everyone bats, run every hit out |
| 57–60 | One-win huddle | Each girl names one thing she did well |
Running late? Cut the game to 8 minutes. Keep the warm-up and the huddle no matter what, because those are what make practice feel complete to a 7-year-old.
What each station teaches (and how a parent runs it)
Coach BK's favorite word is "Exactness." For your helpers, that means a card with one drill, one cue and a number of reps, not "go work on grounders."
- Hitting: Two-Tee Line Drives. What: two tees aimed at a net or fence with plenty of room between them, two girls swing, two wait behind a line in the dirt. Why: lots of swings and a safe gap between hitters. How: 8 swings each, then switch. Cue: "Hit the back of the ball."
- Fielding: Cone Gate. What: two cones 4 feet apart, the parent rolls a soft ball through the gate from about 20 feet. Why: it teaches her to move her feet to the ball, not reach. How: 6 rolls each, then switch. Cue: "Glove on the dirt early."
- Throwing: Partner Ladder. What: partners start 15 feet apart. Three good catches in a row, both take one big step back. Why: she earns distance by being accurate. How: play until the whistle, then count how many steps back. Cue: "Point your glove, then throw."
Safety at every station: helmets on anyone hitting, only the hitter holds a bat, soft training balls for close work and water at each rotation. Stop if a player says something hurts.
How do I brief parent helpers in two minutes?
Coach BK says "Do your homework." For a volunteer coach, that means the cards are written the night before, not in the parking lot.
- Step 1: Hand each parent one card before the girls arrive.
- Step 2: Show the drill once with a real ball. It takes 30 seconds.
- Step 3: Give them the one rule that matters: praise the cue, not the result. "Great glove down" beats "nice catch."
- Step 4: Tell them the whistle means stop, collect balls, walk to the next station.
Keep each parent at the same station all season. By week three they'll run it better than you could, and you're free to float.
A week-by-week 8U softball season plan
Little League's coach pitch program builds every week on the last one, with a full and a shortened plan each week. Do the same thing here: keep the same hour and change one piece every two weeks.
| Weeks | What changes | She's ready to move on when |
|---|---|---|
| 1–2 | Soft balls, short distances, learn the rotation | Groups switch stations without you |
| 3–4 | Partner Ladder starts farther back; Cone Gate rolls get faster | Most girls catch 3 in a row |
| 5–6 | Hitting station adds soft toss from a parent kneeling off to the side, behind a screen | She makes contact on most tees |
| 7–8 | Mini-game adds force outs: where does the ball go? | She points to the right base before the roll |
| 9+ | Girls lead the warm-up and run the stations | You're mostly watching |
Pitching and catching are their own fastpitch skills. Some 8U leagues use coach or machine pitch and some let girls pitch, so check your league's rules. If yours lets girls pitch, add a short pitching corner run by an adult who knows it, and read our guide to teaching a kid to pitch softball first.
What if practice falls apart?
It will, at least once. A station runs short, a parent doesn't show or it rains for 20 minutes.
- Missing a helper: make two stations of six and run them 15 minutes each.
- A drill isn't working: cut it early and go to the next one. No 8-year-old will remember.
- Only 30 minutes: warm-up, one station everyone does together, then the game.
Less talking fixes most problems. Show it, say one cue and let them play.
Want every week mapped out? The 46/60 Coach Playbook is $59 for a year: 24 lessons for 8U to 12U coaches with cues, fixes and 60-minute station plans. Lessons 1–3 are free. Or build and print your own hour in our free practice plan builder.
One thing to remember
Same hour every week, one new piece every two weeks, and a parent with a card at every station.
What to do this week
Write three station cards with one drill, one cue and a rep count each. Text three parents tonight and ask each to run one station all season.
Parent questions
How long should an 8U softball practice be?
About 60 minutes works for most 7- and 8-year-olds. Keep stations near 10 minutes and add a water break at every rotation.
How many parent helpers do I need for 8U softball?
Three is ideal for 12 girls, one per station, so you can float. With two, run two bigger stations and take one yourself.
Should 8U softball practice include pitching?
Only if your league lets girls pitch at 8U, so check your league's rules. If it does, keep it short, warm up first and stop if her arm hurts.
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Sources: Little League University: 8 Helpful Tips for New Little League Coaches · Little League University: The Complete Little League Coach Pitch Program