Coach pitch is where young hitters learn to swing at a moving ball. It's a big jump from the tee. These six drills keep the reps short and the cues simple, so your hitter gets lots of good swings and has fun doing it.
The best coach pitch hitting drills are short and simple: tee work, soft toss, short-distance front toss and a few fun games, each with one cue. The coach pitches firm, consistent strikes so kids swing often and build confidence.
Train it: Complete Contact Builder (Level 2 Hitting, $49) → Free: Free Hitting Intro Course →What changes when kids move up to coach pitch?
On a tee, the ball waits for the hitter. At coach pitch, the hitter has to wait for the ball. That one change is why so many young hitters suddenly swing late, swing early, or don't swing at all.
The fix isn't a new swing. It's three simple skills: get ready early, watch the ball all the way in, and swing at strikes. Every drill below trains one of those, a few minutes at a time.
Keep the swing itself simple. Balance, a short step, and a strong, level path through the ball are plenty for ages 6–9. If your hitter is still building that swing, start with our free hitting intro course, then come back to these drills.
How should the coach pitch in coach pitch?
Drills only work if the pitches are hittable. At coach pitch, the coach's job is simple: throw strikes the hitter can hit. Not hard. Not tricky. The same pitch, in the same spot, again and again.
- Consistent: same arm slot and same speed every time, so the hitter can time it.
- Firm, not slow and loopy: a firm, flat pitch is easier to hit than a high lob that drops in.
- Strikes: belt high over the plate. If one misses, shrug and throw the next one.
- Rules: pitching distance, number of pitches and whether a tee comes out vary by league. Check your league's rules.
For more on getting ready for games, see our coach-pitch and machine-pitch hitting tips. This post is all about the drills.
Drills 1–3: build the swing first
- Tee to target: Set the tee belt high, out in front of the front hip. Hit 10 balls into a net or at a fence. Cue: "Hit it through the middle." Easier: a bigger ball. Harder: hit a cone in the middle.
- Soft toss from the side: A parent kneels off to the side (behind a screen if you have one) and tosses underhand, out in front. 10 swings. Cue: "Watch it hit the bat." Easier: toss slower. Harder: mix high and low tosses.
- Freeze at contact: Off the tee, swing and freeze right where bat meets ball. 5 reps. Cue: "Strong hands, eyes on the ball." This teaches what a good contact spot feels like.
Keep it to 10 swings or so per drill. Young hitters learn more from 10 focused swings than 40 tired ones.
Drills 4–6: learn to hit a moving ball
- Short front toss: From about 12–15 feet behind a screen, toss firm underhand strikes. 10 swings. Cue: "Ready early, then swing." Easier: move closer and toss slower. Harder: move back a few steps.
- Get ready, go: The pitcher shows the ball, the hitter gets in an athletic stance, and the pitcher says "ready" before every pitch. 10 reps. Cue: "Be ready before the ball is." This builds the habit of starting on time.
- Swing at strikes game: Mix in a few pitches that are clearly high or in the dirt. The hitter earns a point for swinging at strikes and for taking the bad ones. Cue: "Strike? Swing!" Easier: only strikes at first. Harder: keep score for a round.
End every session with a fun round: five swings to try to hit a line drive past the pitcher. It's a great way to finish on a win.
A 15-minute coach pitch hitting practice
| Minutes | Drill | Swings |
|---|---|---|
| 3 | Tee to target | 10 |
| 3 | Soft toss from the side | 10 |
| 5 | Short front toss | 10–15 |
| 3 | Swing at strikes game | 8–10 |
| 1 | Line drive challenge | 5 |
Need the whole practice planned? Our free 8U practice plan has hit-and-run stations ready to print.
How do I keep coach pitch hitting practice safe and fun?
- Use soft or reduced-impact balls indoors and plenty of space outdoors.
- Put the tosser behind a screen for front toss.
- Keep waiting hitters well away from the swing area.
- Helmets on for live pitching.
- Stop if your hitter has any pain, and keep water close.
Most of all, cheer the swing, not just the hit. A brave, aggressive swing is the win at this age. It's a great day to hit!!
One thing to remember
At coach pitch, hittable strikes and short, simple drills build brave hitters.
What to do this week
Run the 15-minute session twice this week. Keep each drill to about 10 swings, use one cue at a time, and finish with the line drive challenge.
Parent questions
How far should the coach pitch from in coach pitch?
It depends on your league. Distances and rules vary, so check your league's rulebook and pitch from where the rules say.
How many swings should a coach pitch hitter take in practice?
Short, focused sessions work best. About 10 swings per drill and 40–50 good swings total is plenty for most 6–9 year olds.
What if my child is scared of the pitch?
Go back to the tee and soft toss, use a softer ball, and move the tosser closer with slower, gentle strikes. Build confidence first.