Drills to Run for Kids Ages 4-5 Years Old

Building Future Champions: The Essential Guide to Baseball Drills for 4-5 Year-Olds that Every Coach Needs

At ages 4-5, kids are at a prime stage for introducing the basics of baseball in a way that is engaging, playful, and developmentally appropriate. The goal of drills for this age group is not only to build foundational baseball skills like throwing, catching, and hitting but also to foster general athletic abilities, social skills, and teamwork. Designed to hold short attention spans and keep young players motivated, these drills often blend the fundamentals of the sport with games and activities that focus on movement, hand-eye coordination, and fun.

Categories of Drills for Young Players

To ensure a well-rounded introduction to baseball, drills for 4-5-year-olds are broken down into the following categories:

  1. Throwing and Catching Drills – These drills develop essential hand-eye coordination, throwing form, and catching basics. Since this is one of the earliest skills to learn, drills are designed to be simple yet interactive, teaching kids to control their throws and catch soft, slow-moving balls.
  2. Hitting Drills – Hitting off a tee or through soft tosses helps kids develop confidence and improve their hand-eye coordination and timing. These drills focus on the fundamentals of a proper stance, grip, and basic swing mechanics.
  3. Fielding Drills – These drills introduce kids to fielding positions, teaching them to focus on the ball, move their bodies to block and field it, and throw it to a target. They start to understand how to react to ground balls and fly balls in fun, low-pressure ways.
  4. Running Drills – Running the bases is a big deal at this age! These drills focus on teaching kids to run quickly between bases, understand the concept of safe and out, and practice good base-running form with fun twists.
  5. Teamwork and Communication Drills – These drills foster social interaction, cooperation, and communication on the field, all of which are vital for young players learning to work together as a team.

Benefits of Drills for Ages 4-5 from a Coaching Perspective

Drills for young players provide the foundation for all future skill development in baseball. By incorporating structured activities with fun, these drills allow coaches to create a positive first experience with baseball. Kids become familiar with the feel of a bat and ball, the excitement of making a catch or hitting the ball, and the importance of following instructions on the field.

  • Physical Benefits: These drills support physical development, teaching kids control over their movements, balance, and hand-eye coordination.
  • Emotional and Social Growth: As children engage in team activities, they learn essential social skills, such as listening, following instructions, and celebrating each other’s successes.
  • Long-term Baseball Foundation: These drills provide early exposure to baseball, sparking a love for the game and giving kids a head start in fundamental skills as they progress to higher levels of play.

Contrast to Other Age Group Drills

While drills for older kids focus more on refining skills, complex strategies, and game-like situations, drills for 4-5-year-olds keep the emphasis on basics and motor skills. At this age, drills are shorter, with simple instructions and frequent breaks. There is less focus on technique perfection and more on creating a positive and enjoyable environment where children can feel proud of their accomplishments.

Pros and Cons of Coaching Drills for Ages 4-5

  • Pros:
    • Creates a positive first experience with baseball.
    • Builds essential skills that will benefit kids across various sports.
    • Reinforces teamwork, patience, and communication skills.
    • Helps build confidence as kids experience small successes and learn at their own pace.
  • Cons:
    • Requires high energy and patience from the coach, as kids at this age need continuous guidance and motivation.
    • Coaches need to balance fun with instruction, keeping drills engaging without overwhelming young players with details.
    • Limited complexity; drills must be broken down into very basic steps, which can challenge coaches accustomed to working with older players.

Positive Impact and Importance of Running These Drills

For young players, participating in well-planned, enjoyable drills has a lasting positive impact. The skills they gain are foundational, improving balance, coordination, and general fitness while fostering early teamwork skills. Perhaps most importantly, running these drills helps young players associate sports and physical activity with joy, confidence, and success. Kids who have fun while learning the basics are more likely to stick with the sport, and coaches can play a vital role in creating that spark.

Top Drills to Run for Kids Ages 4-5

  1. Batting Practice on the Tee
    • Overview: Start kids hitting off a tee, focusing on grip, stance, and swing basics.
    • Why It’s Great: Teaches timing and confidence at the plate. Kids love hearing the sound of the bat hitting the ball!
  2. Bucket Brigade
    • Overview: A fun, teamwork-based drill where players pass a ball along the line as quickly as they can.
    • Why It’s Great: Builds cooperation and hand-eye coordination in a playful way.
  3. Pop Fly Catching
    • Overview: Using soft balls, kids learn to keep their eye on the ball to make a simple catch.
    • Why It’s Great: Teaches focus and catching technique while keeping it safe and stress-free.
  4. Batting Line Drill
    • Overview: Kids line up and take turns hitting off the tee, practicing proper stance and swing.
    • Why It’s Great: Introduces taking turns and reinforces fundamentals in a social setting.
  5. Glove Tag Drill
    • Overview: A tag game where players learn to tag each other using their gloves.
    • Why It’s Great: Introduces the tagging concept, helps with spatial awareness, and adds an element of fun.
  6. Base Running Basics
    • Overview: Kids practice running from base to base, learning the order and concept of being safe or out.
    • Why It’s Great: Teaches the foundation of base running in a simple, energetic way.
  7. Ground Ball Toss
    • Overview: Coaches roll ground balls to players, helping them learn to approach and field the ball.
    • Why It’s Great: Kids learn basic fielding mechanics, focus, and moving toward the ball.
  8. Ball Relay
    • Overview: Players stand in a line and pass the ball down the line and back.
    • Why It’s Great: Builds teamwork and throwing accuracy while keeping kids engaged.
  9. Knees Throwing Drill
    • Overview: Kids kneel and practice short throws with partners.
    • Why It’s Great: Teaches proper throwing form without involving full-body coordination.
  10. Roll and Catch
    • Overview: Coaches gently roll balls for players to field and throw back.
    • Why It’s Great: Kids improve reaction times and tracking skills.
  11. Partner Throw and Catch
    • Overview: Basic throwing and catching in pairs.
    • Why It’s Great: Simple way to practice with a friend, making learning fun and social.
  12. Around the Bases
    • Overview: Kids run bases in order, with a coach guiding them.
    • Why It’s Great: Kids understand the order of bases, with excitement and rewards for each base reached.
  13. Soft Toss Drill
    • Overview: Coaches lightly toss balls for kids to hit, focusing on timing and hand-eye coordination.
    • Why It’s Great: Gentle introduction to hitting pitched balls, boosting confidence.
  14. Obstacle Course Drill
    • Overview: Kids run through cones, hop over hurdles, and weave around obstacles.
    • Why It’s Great: Builds agility, balance, and coordination, with fun as a priority.
  15. Freeze Tag
    • Overview: A game of tag where kids “freeze” on the spot when tagged and are “unfrozen” by teammates.
    • Why It’s Great: Encourages fast movement, teamwork, and fun, with a little added coaching on field positioning.

These drills serve as the first steps in a young player’s baseball journey, creating a foundation that can be built on as they grow. They’ll remember the joy and excitement of their early days on the field, thanks to coaches who make the experience as fulfilling as it is educational.

Click on the links above to learn more about how to run each drill effectively and how they can be incorporated into your practices to maximize player development.

If you’re looking for more drills check out the links below or sign up for our FREE newsletter to get access to all the latest drills and training tips.