Game version
Target-zone hitting: two teams of two take turns hitting off the tee toward zones in the field. Each team adds up only its own solid hits.
Find the Release Point
Look at the window where the pitcher's hand lets go so you see the ball sooner.
By Coach Evan Waechtler Youth coach (U11, Cache Valley, Utah) and founder of SSTracker Updated October 30, 2026
Set up
Stand in your stance with a helmet; do not swing.
Core: Soft toss. Beat your own best of solid contact out of 10.
- Ages
- 11 and up
- Time
- 10 min
- Players
- You and a partner
- Space
- Gym or court
- Bring
- Helmet, partner, catcher or net
- Level · skill
- Developing · Hitting
The steps
How it works
- Stand in your stance with a helmet; do not swing.
- Before each pitch, soft-focus on the pitcher's cap, then shift to the release window.
- Call "up" or "down" as early as you can.
- Do 20 easy pitches.
Coaching point
Soft eyes, then hard focus.
Safety: Always wear a helmet in the batter's box. The pitcher throws easy.
Make it fun
Play it, don't drill it
Challenge
Pick a setup: Less (tee), Core (soft toss), More (soft toss to a zone). Beat your own best of solid contact out of 10.
Story
You are a slugger in the big game, and every swing is your turn at bat.
My best
Beat your own count
Beat your own best of solid contact out of 10. Only your own number counts: today against last time.
Practice makes progress
Print it now, or save it free
Free for families and teams
Save this drill to your child or team, free
Sign up and the free baseball week for this age opens in your child's planner, kept to healthy limits. A coach can send this drill to the whole team as homework, and parents see every session logged.
14 days free for a family, no card · Running a team is always free
Does your child's coach know about this?
An email from you to the coach, with the words ready. Nothing is tracked and nobody is rewarded.