Baseball · Hitting

Tee ball hitting stations

Small groups rotate through tee stations hitting into nets: a simple stance, a small load and a level swing, with lots of swings and a safe way in and out of the swing zone.

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Start / 4
Time
15 min
Players
2–10
Age
U5–U9
Area
25 × 15 m, with two nets
Equipment
2 batting tees2 hitting nets or a backstop fence24 soft baseballs (reduced-injury) or plastic balls2 light bats sized for the players2 batting helmets10 cones2 buckets

Setup

  1. Set up two tee stations side by side, at least 8 m apart, each with its tee 3–4 m from a net or the backstop so every ball goes into it.
  2. Mark a swing zone around each tee with four cones, about 4 m across. Only the batter with the bat goes inside.
  3. The waiting players line up behind a cone at least 3 m outside the zone, with no bat in their hands.
  4. Station A: hit the ball straight into the middle of the net. Station B: hang a coloured target (a towel or a hoop) on the net and aim for it.
  5. Every batter wears a helmet. Use soft or plastic balls for the youngest players. Set each tee about belt high.

How it runs

  1. Split the group into two small lines, one per station. A coach or parent helper runs each station.
  2. The batter walks in, sets up side-on to the net and takes five swings: stance, small load, step and swing through to a full finish.
  3. After the fifth swing the batter lays the bat down on the ground beside the tee (never drops or throws it) and walks out to the back of the line.
  4. The helper sets a new ball on the tee and calls “Batter up!” only when everyone else is outside the zone.
  5. After everyone has had two turns, the groups swap stations. With a third helper, add a station where players hit off a tee into open grass and run to a first-base cone.

Coaching points

  • Feet a bit wider than the shoulders, knees bent, weight on the balls of the feet.
  • Hands together on the handle, up by the back shoulder; line up the door-knocking knuckles.
  • Eyes on the ball until it leaves the tee; keep the head still.
  • Small load back, then a small step towards the net and turn the back foot (“squish the bug”).
  • Swing level through the ball and finish with the bat over the front shoulder.
  • Celebrate solid contact, not distance.

Common mistakes

  • Standing too close to the tee, so the batter hits the tee instead of the ball.
  • A big lunge forward instead of a small step.
  • Back foot staying flat, so the hips never turn.
  • Looking up at the net before the bat reaches the ball.
  • Waiting players drifting into the swing zone or standing behind the batter.
  • Dropping or flinging the bat on the way out.

Say it: “Stance, load, swing.”

Make it harder

  • Move the tee to the inside or outside corner and hit the ball where it is pitched.
  • Score points for hitting the target on the net.
  • Lower the tee a little for a ball at the knees.

Make it easier

  • Use a bigger, lighter ball or a lighter bat.
  • Take dry swings first, saying “stance, load, swing” out loud.
  • The helper stands beside the batter and guides the hands through the first few swings.

Pairs well with

Reviewed by the Sportdify coaching team.