46/60 SKILL PATH · AGES 7–12
Pitching for young baseball & softball players.
Learn balanced delivery, strike-zone awareness and smart workload habits.
BUILD A PITCHING PRACTICE →THE FIRST SKILL TO OWN
Target lane game
Pick a safe target; balance, deliver under control and finish facing the catcher.
Coach-supervised pitcher–catcher pairing with low-intensity throws and frequent recovery breaks.
Make reps easy enough for athletes to feel successful before increasing complexity. Coach positively and celebrate smart decisions.
Progression by age
Start slowly with controlled, simple demonstrations and short games.
Add movement and a choice after the basic skill becomes consistent.
Use realistic situations, verbal communication and changing conditions.
Always follow league rules and up-to-date MLB Pitch Smart guidance; no throwing through pain.
MAKE IT A PRACTICE
Use it today, not someday.
Put pitching into a complete age-appropriate practice with warm-up, station rotation and game-like finish.
PARENT & COACH QUESTIONS
Get the fundamentals right.
What is the best way to teach pitching to 8U players?
Begin with slow, successful repetitions and one memorable cue. Move to a simple challenge after players show control.
How long should youth players practice this skill?
Use short, supervised blocks with breaks and a game. Follow each athlete’s age, attention, ability and overall practice workload.
Can this work for baseball and softball?
Yes, adapt ball size, field dimensions, pitching distances and game rules to your league and sport. Never assume the rules are identical.