Coach pitch · Printable practice plan
60-minute coach pitch practice plan
Three stations for contact, fielding, and base running, followed by a short team inning.
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Pack the bag
- Bats, helmets, and tees
- Age-appropriate balls
- Net or isolated hitting area
- Cones and bases
- Water
Set up before players arrive
Make three groups of three or four. Assign one adult per station. Keep hitting separate from throwing and running. Waiting players stay behind the hitter, clear of swings and balls.
Bring this to the field
Your practice, minute by minute.
Movement and throwing
Warm up, then start easy partner throws. Increase distance only while throws and catches stay controlled.
Say it simply: “Find your partner before you throw.”
Show the three stations
Show one turn at each station. Explain where to wait, how to rotate, and the stop signal.
Say it simply: “Know where your next turn starts.”
Three stations · 8 minutes each
Rotate every eight minutes. Hitting: short coach-toss turns, using a tee when needed. Fielding: field a rolled ball, set feet, and throw to a ready target. Running: home to first and back under your league's rules.
Say it simply: “Watch the ball. Set your feet. Finish the play.”
Water and one question
Stop for water. Ask what players should check before throwing.
Say it simply: “See a ready target.”
Put a ball in play
Play a controlled coach-pitch inning. Ask fielders for the simplest out before each ball. Rotate roles often. Use a tee when needed so players get contact.
Say it simply: “Before the pitch: where is my play?”
Team recap
Recognize a good backup and effort after a miss. Ask each player to name one job they understand better.
Say it simply: “Effort helps the whole team.”
Make it work for your team
- Two coaches: run two supervised stations for 12 minutes each. Cover base running during the team inning.
- Use a tee before returning to coach toss when moving-ball contact is difficult.
- Add a runner only after players understand the fielding task.
What success looks like
Players get ready before contact, throw to ready targets, and get repeated hitting turns.
Ask before the team cheer
“Where were you going with the ball before it came to you?”
Before you take the field
Follow your league’s equipment, supervision, weather, and player-safety requirements. Separate hitting and throwing lanes, keep waiting players clear, and pause for water or conditions as needed. Stop throwing when a player reports pain. Pitching work must fit that player’s workload, required rest, and eligibility across all teams—not just this practice.
Additional official resources: Little League coaching resources and MLB Pitch Smart guidelines. These original example plans are independent of those organizations.
The Dugout Dad™ · thedugoutdad.com/coachs-corner/coach-pitch-60-minute-practice