6U Coaches Guide
Introduction to softball. Learn the game, develop basic motor skills, build confidence, and have fun. Introduce fundamentals through short, active repetitions and simple demonstrations.
What to Teach
Use these development goals to choose what to introduce, reinforce, or build toward.
Hitting
Introduce stance, grip, basic swing, watching the ball, and where to stand in the box. Begin with tee contact and add coach pitch as appropriate. Teach players to run through first after contact.
Throwing
Introduce a usable grip, an overhand motion, and a step toward the target. Practice short throws to a teammate who is ready to receive the ball.
Fielding
Teach an athletic ready position, tracking the ball, and fielding slow rollers. Introduce the glove and throwing-hand approach often called alligator hands. Use two hands when appropriate and explain ground balls versus fly balls.
Baserunning
Run the bases in order, listen to the base coach, stop at the correct base, and run through first. Introduce when to advance and when to stay on a base.
Game awareness
Learn position names and where to go when a ball is hit. Introduce force outs, fair and foul, outs, strikes, and balls through examples suited to the division. Explain which concepts work differently in 6U games.
Teamwork and confidence
Take turns, listen, encourage teammates, and respect adults and opposing players. Help girls reset after mistakes and enjoy participating. Teach respectful responses to outcomes while following the league’s 6U no-score approach.
Coaching Notes
First practice priorities
Show players how to wear their glove and helmet, hold the bat, and wait outside the hitting area. Start with short throws and catches, tee contact, and running through first.
What progress looks like
Look for players to get ready before the ball arrives, step toward a target, attempt a catch, make contact, or run through first with fewer reminders. Note one next step for each player.
Building toward 8U
Build toward a basic overhand throw, receiving a short throw, fielding a slow ground ball, making contact off a tee or coach pitch, running the bases in order, and recognizing basic positions and rules.
Drills & Demonstrations
Open a drill for its setup, teaching cues, and links to free softball instruction.
Partner target throws
6–10 minutes · Equipment: Gloves, softballs, and cones
How to run it: Pair players and mark a separate throwing lane for each pair. Start close and have partners take turns throwing and catching. Before each throw, make sure the receiver is ready. Move players closer together or use a softer ball as needed.
What to look for: The thrower steps toward her target and makes a controlled overhand throw. The receiver gets her glove ready and tries to catch the ball. Praise the effort even if the ball drops.
Field and choose a base
8–10 minutes · Equipment: Gloves, softballs, cones, and a base
How to run it: Start with slow ground balls so players can practice getting ready and securing the ball. Once they’re comfortable, name the base before you roll the ball. Have the fielder make a short throw to a teammate who’s ready to catch. Switch roles after a few reps.
What to look for: The fielder gets ready before the roll, secures the ball, and looks toward the called base before throwing. Praise a good attempt even if the play isn’t completed.
Watch Megan Rembielak’s ground ball demo (free)
For coaches: Morgan Stuart’s fielding technique breakdown (free). Pick one simple cue to use with beginners.
Tee contact and run through first
8–10 minutes · Equipment: Tee, bat, helmet, softballs, net, and a base
How to run it: Set the tee in front of the net. Mark a waiting area outside the swing area and a separate running lane to first base. Work in small groups with one helmeted hitter at a time. After a few swings, have the hitter set down the bat and practice running through first. Collect balls only after hitting stops.
What to look for: The hitter uses a consistent stance, watches the ball, and makes contact. When running, she touches first and keeps going past the bag.
Watch Megan Rembielak’s softball hitting demo (free)
For coaches: Matt Lisle’s four youth softball hitting drills (free article)offers additional swing progressions for 8U and older.
Sample Practice
60-minute sample practice
0–5 min: Welcome players, check equipment, show safe spacing, and share today’s goal.
5–12 min: Short throws and catches using Partner Target Throws.
12–36 min: Three 8-minute stations: field a ground ball, hit off a tee, and learn the bases and run through first.
36–48 min: Play a short tee or coach-pitch game. Rotate roles to keep players active.
48–55 min: Run the bases and practice stopping on the coach’s cue.
55–60 min: Name one thing that improved, encourage a teammate, and clean up.
Station setup: Assign an adult to each active station. Run fewer stations if you’re short on help, and keep waiting players clear of swings and throws.
Division Rules & Guidelines
Use the league’s current 6U rules during games. These skill goals and practice progressions support development; proposed rule changes are handled separately.
