Fastpitch softball hitting is not just baseball with a bigger ball. The pitcher is much closer, the ball comes up from a low release, and young hitters have less time to decide. Good softball drills at 8U, 10U and 12U are built around getting ready early, seeing the ball from the pitcher’s hip, and swinging at strikes—not chasing the high pitch.
At 8U, build balance and contact off the tee and soft toss. At 10U, when kid pitch starts, get ready earlier and learn the strike zone. At 12U, add change-up timing and, for some hitters, slapping. Practice 10–25 minutes, 3 to 5 days a week, depending on age.
Train it: 30-Day Swing Structure →
Softball at each age
| Age | Typical pitching | Main focus |
|---|---|---|
| 8U | Coach or machine pitch in many leagues; some kid pitch | Balance, contact, getting ready on time |
| 10U | Kid pitch, about 35 feet in USA Softball | Early load, strike zone, standing in |
| 12U | Kid pitch, about 40 feet in USA Softball; first change-ups | Timing fast and slow, approach, slapping for some hitters |
Distances and formats vary by league and organization, so check your rulebook. Use the free softball pitch speed calculator to see how little time a hitter has.
8U softball hitting drills
Freeze the finish
Off a tee at belt height, swing and hold the finish for three seconds. Falling over doesn’t count.
How much: 10–15 swings.
Short soft toss
Kneel to the side and toss Wiffle or soft balls into her zone. Call a number or color on the ball before she swings to keep her eyes on it.
How much: 15–20 tosses.
Line-drive towel
Hang a towel on the net at head height. Hits on the towel score. Makes line drives a game.
How much: Two rounds of 10.
10U softball hitting drills
Load at the hip
Front toss from behind a screen with a windmill-style rhythm (slowly). She starts her load as your arm comes around—not when the ball is already coming.
How much: 3 rounds of 8.
Watch for: A stride that lands late. In fastpitch, late is the most common miss.
Belly button and below
Toss mixed heights. She swings at pitches from the belly button down to the knees and lets the high ones go. Good takes score points.
How much: 20 tosses, scored.
The safe turn
With a soft ball, toss gently toward the back shoulder. She turns the front shoulder in, tucks her chin and lets it hit her back. Standing in starts here.
How much: 5–8 reps, soft balls only.
12U softball hitting drills
Fast or slow
Mix firm tosses with slower ones without saying which. She stays back on the slow toss and still drives it.
How much: 2 rounds of 10.
Three-tee locations
Inside out front, middle, outside a little deeper. Five each, then random.
How much: 15–20 swings.
Slap footwork walk-through
Without a ball, walk through the crossover step toward the pitcher, keeping the hands back. Add soft toss once the feet are smooth. Not every hitter needs to slap—ask her coach.
How much: 5 slow walk-throughs, then 10 tosses.
More: softball hitting drills for 8–10 year olds, fastpitch hitting for beginners and the free Slap Timing! game.
Watch it: tee work at a 46/60 camp
Two real tee swings from our youth softball camp. Look for a balanced start, eyes on the ball and a full, athletic finish. Simple reps, done right.
How often should a young softball player practice hitting?
| Age | Session | Days a week |
|---|---|---|
| 8U | 10–15 minutes | 3–4 |
| 10U | 15–20 minutes | 3–4 |
| 12U | 15–25 minutes | 3–5 |
Team practices count. Stop when the swings get sloppy and keep at least one full day off.
What to skip with young softball hitters
- Bats without the stamp her league requires—check before you buy. See softball bat size for kids.
- Swinging at the high pitch because it looks good. It’s the hardest pitch to hit at this age.
- Forcing every fast lefty to slap. It’s a tool, not a requirement.
- Overhand tossing that teaches a timing she’ll never see from a pitcher.
Is she ready for lessons or an online program?
If she wants to get better and can focus for 10 minutes, a structured program gives you both a plan. Every 46/60 course works for softball and baseball. If she has stalled after a few weeks or the ball scares her, in-person lessons help—and so does the Scared of the Baseball Fix, which works for softball too.
A plan for your fastpitch hitter
Every course works for softball. $49 each, ages 7–12, first lessons free.
- 30-Day Swing Structure — Balance, bat control and contact that works across locations.
- 30-Day Hitting Processor — See the ball, know the zone and choose when to swing.
- 30-Day Bunting — A safe, simple short game for baseball and softball players.
- 30-Day Changing Speeds — Fast and slow timing with safe tosses and simple decisions.
Keep going
Parent questions
What should a 10U softball hitter work on?
Getting her load started earlier, swinging at pitches from the belly button down and taking the high ones, and a safe turn so she can stand in with confidence.
How far is the pitcher in 10U and 12U softball?
USA Softball lists 35 feet for 10U and 40 feet for 12U. Other organizations and leagues can differ, so check your rulebook.
When should a softball player learn to slap?
Some fast left-handed or switch hitters start learning around 10U to 12U. It’s a tool, not a requirement, so decide with her coach.
Are baseball hitting drills good for softball?
Many are, like tee and front toss work. But softball hitters have less time and see the ball come up from a low release, so timing and zone drills should match that.
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.