Baseball Drills for 10-Year-Olds
At a Glance: Ten-year-old baseball players are ready to move beyond basic skills and start building the proper mechanics that will carry them through their baseball careers. The best drills for this age group combine skill development with fun, competitive elements that keep players engaged while teaching game-ready techniques.
By the time they’re 10 years old, kids are ready to build on catching and throwing fundamentals and develop the skills that will carry them through their baseball journey. The key is finding a sweet spot between keeping practice fun and teaching proper form, because when kids enjoy what they're doing, they learn faster and stick with the sport longer. Incorporating effective and fun baseball drills into practice keeps 10-year-olds engaged while developing the core skills they need to succeed as players.
Why Are Age-Appropriate Drills Important?
Many 10-year-old baseball players are transitioning to more competitive play. They've become stronger athletes and can handle more complex movements and strategy techniques. This makes it a great time to introduce drills that build proper mechanics while keeping practices energetic and enjoyable. The drills you choose should focus on repetition without becoming boring, challenge players without frustrating them, and create opportunities for both individual and team improvement.
The best approach combines skill-specific drills with game-like situations. Players need to understand not just how to field a ground ball, but when to use a backhand or a forehand. They need to know not just how to swing, but how to time their swing for different pitch speeds. The most effective drills for 10-year-olds focus on developing skills in different positions so they can become well-rounded players.
Backhand Fielding Drill
Purpose: Teach players hand-eye coordination and the proper fielding techniques to complete backhand plays
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Line players up on the field about 2 feet apart from each other
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Have players enter a kneeling position
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Players will position their open gloves in front of their front leg
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On their call, players roll a ground ball to the player farthest to the left, who will sweep up the ball and throw it back
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Take turns rolling ground balls to players from left to right
In game situations, players don't always have time to get their body in front of the ball. This drill teaches players to field balls that are hit to their dominant side.
Line Drive Pro Derby Drill
Purpose: Build competitive hitting skills and proper swing mechanics
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Set up two hitting stations and a hitting net for an aim point. Divide players into two teams.
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Have each player attach the Line Drive Pro and a tennis ball to their bat. The Line Drive Pro will launch the tennis ball at the aim target.
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Have two players line up and make two swings each using the Line Drive Pro, aiming for the hitting net
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Give players one point for each successful swing. Keep a tally of how many points each team has in total
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Rotate players within each group until all players have swung
The Line Drive Pro provides immediate feedback on swing plane and contact quality. This simple drill helps players see and feel the difference and naturally start adjusting their mechanics.
Tee Popper Timing Walkthrough Drill
Purpose: Improve timing and technical hitting skills through dynamic tee work
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Set up the Tee Popper, keeping it in line with your front foot
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Step back and get in a hitting stance
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Once the ball pops up, step through and make the hit
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To add some competition, set up a team challenge where each player completes 5 hits and earns one point for each successful hit
The Tee Popper adds a timing element that bridges the gap between tee work and live pitching. Players have to load, time their stride, and make contact at just the right moment. This Coach RAC-approved drill builds rhythm and timing skills that traditional tees can't replicate while still offering a controlled environment for players to work on their swing.
Pro Tee Timing Drill
Purpose: Help players develop their rhythm, control, and hitting accuracy
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After setting up the Pro Tee, have the player get into regular hitting stance
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Load: On the coach’s cue, the hitter coils into their load position. The rear knee and hip should stay inside the back foot while maintaining balance.
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Stride: When the coach calls “2,” the hitter strides forward, staying controlled and maintaining tension from the load.
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Swing: On “3,” the hitter drives through the ball on the tee with full intent, focusing on timing and fluid transition through each phase
This drill breaks the baseball swing into three key phases: load, stride, and swing to help players focus on timing, sequencing, and proper mechanics. By isolating each movement, coaches can provide targeted feedback and help hitters develop a smooth, powerful swing.
Key Skills for 10-Year-Old Baseball Players
In addition to hitting, fielding, pitching, and catching fundamentals, 10-year-olds need to spend more time on technical skills to take their game to the next level.
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Accuracy: For young baseball players, throwing hard matters less than throwing accurately. At this age, they should practice hitting targets with regular accuracy drills.
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Timing: Baseball is a game of precise timing, and young players should develop these skills through practice and game repetition.
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Footwork: Proper footwork separates good players from great ones. Whether they’re an infielder, outfielder, or hitter, players should dedicate time to footwork in all baseball practice sessions.
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Consistency: Consistently executing foundational skills helps young players build muscle memory and grow as athletes. Players who practice regularly and focus on mastering proper techniques see the most improvement.
Tips for 10-Year-Old Practice Plans
When planning practices for 10-year-old baseball players, keep these tips in mind:
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Keep It Moving: Attention spans at this age are longer than younger kids, but players should still rotate through stations every 10-15 minutes to keep engagement high.
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Make it Competitive: Friendly competitions and team challenges keep energy high and give players goals to work toward.
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Celebrate Effort: For young kids, effort and improvement matter more than results. Praise players who work hard and show good attitudes, not just those who make the plays
- Finish Strong: Finish practice time with a fun game or positive team activity at the end of each practice, so players leave excited to come back
Take Baseball Training to the Next Level with Plate Crate
Plate Crate’s monthly subscription service is created with youth baseball players in mind. Each box contains equipment that’s designed for players of several different ages and skill levels, including training aids like the Line Drive Pro, Tee Popper, and Pro Tee. We also offer apparel, accessories, and more gear that helps young athletes embrace their passion for the game. Explore our training aids, apparel, and subscription crates to start your Plate Crate journey today.
