I'm currently coaching 5-6 y.o. T-ball team. I have been coaching T-ball for 3 yrs. now. Our league switched this year to 5-6 y.o.'s playing competitive T-ball where we keep score, outs, etc. The 4 y.o.'s are playing "Wee-ball" where there are no outs, everyone bats & scores etc.

Few tips that I've learned over the years:

1.) Start with base running. Home to 1st, 1st to 2nd and so on. Most kids do not know which base is which when they start. Goal is to have every one of them know where they are running next by the end of the season.

2.) Throwing mechanics. Teach each kid which foot to step forward with, throw overhand and follow-thru with opposite foot. Goal is for each kid to step and throw correctly by the end of the season.

3.) Batting. Teach each kid correct set-up at the plate with feet evenly spaced under shoulders, proper bat placement at set-up (choking up in needed), general swing pattern with 2-hand follow thru. Oh, don't forget "DON'T THROW THE BAT".

4.) Catching. Each kid should learn proper glove placement (open web facing forward to start) and try to avoid always having the glove facing upwards. Eventually you can teach them to use 2 hands but this is a difficult skill to teach them.

We work on all these things at every practice and game with tons of hands-on teaching. Be ready to have no voice at the end of games and practice because 4-6 y.o. attention span is less than 0. We rotate players through the field so that everyone has a chance to play pitcher and 1st base (the most active positions). Teach the kids that they need to field the ball that is hit to them, not every ball hit on the field. We had to stress to them that we do not wrestle each other for the ball and that everyone will have their turn to field and throw the ball.

Overall, you have to remember that it has to be fun for them to continue to listen to you. Get as much help in the dugout from parents for kid control as having 10-12 chirren running around is just chaos. Good job for participating in your child's and all the player's lives as a coach! It's not something that every parent can do without losing their minds.