The Hitting Routine I Do With My 5 Year Old Son [Baseball Hitting Drills For Youth]

[@AntonelliBaseball]

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[@lightsout549]

Is the course for older kids? I have two 5 1/2 year olds and enjoyed this video and would like to learn more to teach them.

[@vibewithmarck]

What’s the name of that ball drop equipment? Trying to order one

[@mikeh.9954]

I honestly love seeing a 5 year old swing hard & spin around. It's supposed to fun. It's a great lesson to see an MLB dad offer little to not coaching to a 5 year old. My son is 13 and I've learned there are many, MANY times when I just talk to dang much!

[@joeg4707]

I agree 100%! What Matt is showing here is brilliant. Focus on fun with minimal guidance. He generally helps him set up, back foot and his plate alignment and focuses on contact and crushing it. Did you notice when they switched to the whiffle bat, Matty's swing and follow through were great! Matt said the over-bat was probably too heavy anyhow--which is fine. Matty's bat speed is so good for his age, the heavy bat probably makes him spin (and it cracks me up).

[@tyakadatruffhall3909]

Mike-Great comment!! I coach my 13 year old and was thinking the same thing!! I also have a 5 yr old and probably a great video for me to watch. I do just need to have him hit the snot out of ball! Great videos as always!

[@nicholasmouhot5407]

Got a 5 year old starting T ball.. had 3 practices. Doing well but sometimes he drops his shoulder so low trying to crush it that he cuts under the ball. So I’m trying to find new drills but your absolutely right. At 5 years old it’s all about having fun. Idk why but your comment snapped me back into reality. I’m trying to make a 5 year old into a pro lol, that’s not it’s all about. Thanks for the advice!

[@mikeh.9954]

@@nicholasmouhot5407 I actually give lessons on the side and have this issue with a few kids (2 specifically ages 10 & 12). They just have a tough time taking their hands to the ball. Their dads might think I'm crazy but I'm working on having them "feel" on their own what their hands are doing. During tee work I ask them to try to hit the ball into the turf (aka A-Rod & Bonds drill), mainly to see if they can change. Surprisingly, they can! The issue though is getting them to make the change on a live pitch (or front toss).

[@mmichaelsmith619]

I agree. I’m 3 year old goes after the tee like a grizzly while laughing. Baseball is supposed to be fun

[@4242brvrdbd]

love how he is so laid back with his son. I’m going to make sure to keep it simple, and let the kids have fun!

[@berniegordon6338]

Kids respond best when you force them to be the best. He should be screaming at him for every swing that’s not perfect. Fun is for losers. I mean look at the Romanian gymnasts in the 70s and 80s. Winning is all that matters.

[@gavin9737]

@@berniegordon6338 lol damm but it’s kind of hard not to agree with both of you

[@vanagsss]

@@berniegordon6338 yea and then your kid doesn't want to play past the age of 13 when he starts thinking for himself

[@berniegordon6338]

@@vanagsss it was a joke buddy

[@ljw3491]

I love the way he gets through the ball and finishes his swing. He's going to hammer the ball when he is in little league!

[@zachtkai2157]

You mean the big league

[@theoneandonly24]

Yes. And the fact that dad isn’t trying to force him to refine mechanics at this early age is great. Shows that Matt understands development.

[@buttmuncher1690]

@@cquick3277 okay

[@jonnya3425]

@@theoneandonly24 Agreed. I have a little boy (turning 3 next month) who has been interested in baseball since we got him a toddler batting tee for his 2nd birthday. I tried showing him some stance mechanics and was met with confusion and frustration from my little guy. I immediately switched gears to simply setting him up in a general spot in relation to the tee and telling him to "hit the white and hit it hard!". Mostly worked beautifully. There were also times where he seemed like he was feeling some sort of pressure to be perfect. I assume it's self imposed because I try to be very hands off and encourage fun over anything else. He has also shown this trait in other things as well. Got to help him harness that trait as it could be both his best and worst quality depending on how it's handled and directed. Anyway, when I noticed this I would back off of the hitting for a week or so, sometimes longer, to kind of reset his feelings about it. About a year later he's still swinging hard and "hitting the white" harder than ever. Good stuff.

[@sampixel346]

he is 5

[@stamatiospapageorge7505]

I cant tell you how much you saved what I feel has been me VERSUS my 5 year old with this video. The 5 year old coaching philosophy is brilliant. Ive been trying to get him to have fun, doing things "right". This video is my therapy! Thank you.

[@aa12697]

Mattys gonna hit 1000 in the MLB

[@jayrandall3293]

I'm impressed that he makes contact on EVERY swing

[@brianking2365]

Hardly even touching the tee too on a lot of them. Good eye

[@forest-qh7jf]

going into my second year coaching my son's little league team and your channel has become invaluable to me. your keep-bat-on-neck-to-start-turn tip has been pure gold. i've always been a keep-both-feet-on-the-ground kind of hitter and have taught my 9yo son to do the same, but watching your boy lift his leg to learn transfer has convinced me there are better ways to learn transfer. can't wait to try it. thank you!

[@scottmcdowell8311]

This got my 4-year-old girl so pumped to go and spend an hour just swinging hard for almost an hour (I left 15 minutes in and came back later). She had so much fun. I’ve offered baseball a few times and no interest. Seeing your kiddo just having fun raking and hearing that it’s just about having fun and going hard finally got her hooked. Literally watched this, she asked if we could do this now, left and got a bat, I pinned up a net, and then almost an hour of her swinging as hard she could. As a dad and a teacher I dig your perspective. Spot on man. As a teacher we often “over teach” and take out the thinking and figuring out. 5-year-old baseball basically should be grip it, rip it, high-5, repeat. Thanks for a small little video to motivate the kiddo to dig in.

[@the_stixXx]

During the lockdowns i took my boys (7,8) behind the supermarket and had them throw the ball against the wall. I found that when young kids throw a ball agains the wall, they are able to focus on the ball more. They pick up the speed and trajectory so much better than when Dad is throwing it to them. Many times, dad will throw the ball, they'll miss, because they don't judge it as well, and it gets past them, then they chase it, then throw it from far back and it goes past dad. The wall drill was instrumental in getting my boys to learn how to throw and catch, and lick up yhe ball. I carried that routine all the way up to 10u and when i had my team go to the wall (handball court at the park) they had a blast and learned to barehand the ball too. Highly recommend the wall for young kids.

[@simplespeed84]

Thanks for the tips. We just signed up my 5yr old and had "tryouts" yesterday. Iv been overcoaching him. We just got a new bat today and about to go try it out. Im just going to let him have fun with it, no coaching and see how he does. 🤘

[@squeeze70707]

Thanks for putting things like this up, going out of your way, to share and help others. There's so many good intentioned dads out there in all these volunteer leagues, like little league, who do the best they can and step forward to coach on their own time and dime, and sometimes folks/ parents are quick to judge them on what they do or don't do. Things like this are great for the youth volunteer coaches who are looking for a few tips and tricks on the fly and might not have the experience, training, or time to extend their knowledge and attend clinics due to work, volunteer, and familial obligations. Anyhow... thank you for the positive contributions!

[@andychang8031]

He makes good contacts and has good bat speed. Most of 5 yr kids have hard time make contact but he is actually smashing balls. Great job coach!!!

[@nickbillings8668]

This video saved me. Dude thanks, I volunteered to coach my son’s tee ball and I’m already a psycho on the field as far as mechanics and form. Thank you sir!!

[@robertchristian6231]

Thank you so much for this video. I have to say I am probably like most parents trying to teach their kids. You are trying to make them pros right away and it takes the fun out of it. This video brought me back to being a kid again and how I was taught I am coaching my 5yr old sons team this year and you have just helped me so much I will be having fun with the kids so they enjoy the sport and not hate it.

[@m3nathan]

Fantastic lessons for me as a dad here, thank you guys for making these videos, my 8yo and I are enjoying watching from Australia

[@Nakamamas]

Great coaching and better parenting. Love how you let the kid be a kid. Love his contact and your laid back but reliable approach. Thanks for the tips

[@matthewcole5691]

Love this! No mechanics, just swing hard and have fun. Love the content, Matt!!

[@monicagudino6738]

Awesome. Thank u

[@MrRainbowfart]

your kid has amazing bat contact for one so young

[@RDuder]

You’re doing a great job, very good parental mindset!

[@marioprona]

My 4 year old is cranking them and he loves it. We live in Canada so hockey is about to take over, but I’m going to get set up like this in the basement or garage so he can keep it up all winter

[@AntonelliBaseball]

Awesome!!!

[@ljens8485]

Hey man, thank you. I'm working to get my 5 yo into teeball, your video has been incredibly helpful. I was a little too overbearing trying to teach form and operating as if we were doing an actual practice. Now, we're just having fun-letting him do his thing...hah, so, FUNdamentals.

[@cliffsauer9111]

I love the full 360 on the swing. Going to incorporate that.

[@shawnmsattler2116]

I'm showing this on my TV and comment by phone so. My son is 4 and love that you put this up, he's learning and I can teach him too. Please put more up as a tool for me and others. My son loves to throw so I'm thinking a pitcher, he is throwing a curve ball and I have not taught him anything yet.

[@JazzyDesignz7]

Thanks so much! I’m trying to get my 5 year old started. Coach Pitch and this is his 1st year

[@LEV1ATHYN]

Awesome job. Too many dads think their 5-year-old is a AAA player who needs a tweak in his leg kick before he can take the next step. Love how the emphasis is on fun.

[@joshuacmorgan]

Great stuff, as a Dad of a 5 year old. Thanks.

[@TheDjcarter1966]

Love how he just lets his kid swing and have fun at 5 there is no need to worry about mechanics as long he isn't doing anything super crazy. Setup like he said is probably the only thing if they are lined up in the batters box and have the bat back and ready just let them swing away.

[@stannelson4414]

Excellent excellent stuff. Just what coaches like me and the rest in 8U ball & younger need to hear. Thank you so much.

[@trickyriffy]

Love your approach of just swing hard with little instructions. Definitely going to try this with my little one. TY.

[@AntonelliBaseball]

Thanks!!!

[@saulflores8050]

Key word was make it fun that he won’t hate baseball.

[@DatFooGreens]

Wow this opened my eyes a lot. What I said I wasn’t going to do, what my dad did to me. I’m doing to my four-year-old. We need to not focus on the things that he can fix later.

[@keithlc1972]

This young man is getting top notch training and he is going to be good!

[@jimshea8765]

Great advise on not commenting and trying to fix it every time. I was doing that and my son was not having fun. I’m just going to let him have at it. Thanks for the video.

[@shawnmsattler2116]

Btw, where did you get the ball stand, would love to get one

[@alanbauer9959]

This is amazing, your an awesome dad. Now I gotta get this setup for my son. He's not a big fan of sports but he can swing a bat pretty good, this would help a lot

[@LFGM24]

Crushing the ball !! My boy is 4 and we just started getting him into baseball. He seams interested in it. I don’t get carried away with the over coaching either. I similar to you mark the ground by the tee for him to stand, give him a spot on the ball to focus on and hit it hard. Fielding is a challenge though. He throws ok but doesn’t really make an attempt to follow the ball with his glove on grounders or tosses. Cool vid, keep the toddler instruction videos coming. Thanks

[@jcliffyhuff]

My 3 year old just started tee ball this weekend. He loves to hit. Fielding not so much. This is really helpful. Thanks for sharing. I'm just trying to keep in mind that he is only 3 and we have to keep it fun. He takes his monster trucks to 3rd base when he plays the field.

[@AntonelliBaseball]

Thanks!!!

[@MrTimotato]

This kid CRUSHES.

[@Mbelk32]

@5:35 is the truth!!!!!! Great video!!

[@JW-kh5uf]

Wow the way he hits the ball is awesome to see! He is going to be a legend in mlb

[@iamOAKland]

Thanks... I wasn’t able to teach my 2 older sons (13/10) baseball because of our living situations and my 13yo has a football body but baseball he would have been tough. My 10yo is slimmer but fast. My 6 yo loves it so now I’m able to buy equipment to help techniques and learning curve.

[@Knordsman]

Man, it looks like you guys are having fun. It makes me excited for my nephew to get old enough to play ball.

[@yankees29]

My grandson is going to be 2 years old in June. I’m definitely going to start doing drills with him soon. Maybe start with wiffle ball for hand eye coordination.

[@RCfromtheNYC]

Matt, thanks for the coaching tips! And Matty's bat flip in the end was smooth!

[@chadrides914]

This is great. My 7 yr old crushed baseballs that I pitched to her from 20ft for a few months. Oddly she now can’t seem to make contact with the ball. Her mechanics look the same, but it kinda makes me sad cuz it frustrates her. I’ve had 5 outings and still not really hitting anymore so I’ve regressed back to the T simply to get her something more fun than swing and misses.

[@allenmcdonough2482]

Matt enjoy it..best times ever ..my youngest has hit like a man since like birth Your right make sure he is having fun the rest just works out

[@Jojokeroberto]

What’s that machine called that is lobbing balls to the batter?? Thanks!

[@christophermackin9863]

Out of all the videos that I have watch and learned from... This one I found out that you are living in Massachusetts... How cool! Now I need to find that opportunity to get Liam in some of your clinics.

[@zachtkai2157]

He’s a beast and he’ll definitely go places!

[@michaelmorlock953]

Do you know how refreshing it is to see an ex-pro ballplayer not overcoach a 5 yr old? Just let him swing hard and have fun. It's my first yr with my own 5 yr old and I already can't believe how people are so quick to take the fun out of it and try an get their swing perfected immediately. The FUN is what makes kids want to keep going and get better. Please keep posting videos for the beginners.

[@AntonelliBaseball]

Thanks!!! And I agree! Good luck to your son!

[@jsanz11]

More of these videos! I have a 5 year old right now...he just started basketball training at a facility but we do baseball in the backyard...any fresh ideas are great! thanks!

[@squirreljam2240]

Thanks for sharing I hope a lot of parents were taking notes.

[@skinnyhunk]

He already has a great swing...not even contacting the tee at all...most of us were knocking the tee completely over at 5 years old...it will be cool when you draft him on Road To The Show 2036!

[@brookecardwell2288]

Thank you for this!! I’m online trying to find ways to help my boys as well as the others on our 5U team. It’s our first year coach pitch and unfortunately some of these coaches are under the impression 4 and 5 yo kids should understand and play ball like a senior high baseball player! Not moving kids around and letting them try all positions, having something to say about how they bat every time they bat, etc .. just forgetting that at the end of the day they’re babies and at this stage it should be about fun, learning basics/fundamentals, and friendship, not so much about the more technical aspects at this point, penalizing them because they aren’t “great” or “getting it” And it’s bothersome to me because I’ve been telling my husband it will and does break their spirit, that these boys will end up hating the sport and not want to play it in the future when they could actually be great at it because some tball coaches took themselves a bit too seriously!! But over and over again from guys like you who really know what you’re doing, you’ve either played the game professionally, or have worked with professionals, hearing you all say what I’ve felt in my gut, what I’ve been saying but feels like it’s fallen on deaf ears, it’s nice to feel that validation!! So again, thank you for this!

[@jafetautocenterinc5720]

Great routine I really think I should start doing this!!!!!! That is why I subscribed because you are the best!!!!

[@scitizenkane1]

This was so fun to watch.

[@gretz5792]

When I was 5 my dad just sent me out to the field to play lol

[@Tooimpulsive]

Nothing wrong with that at all. I like what he's doing though. Letting his kid have some fun and not making things too technical for his age. But this also gets some good practice in that will help him in the future.

[@JH-rz4xi]

😂 right

[@tannerrogers-goode5573]

Appreciate the video and approach. What tee are you using? Seems sturdy.

[@mariomorgado8569]

Prob. the last thing you want to hear - but - The Kid has a perfect Yankee Stadium swing...he's going to look good in pinstripes. Great channel.

[@jonnya3425]

Matt, this is one of my very favorite videos of yours. Has helped to refine my approach to keeping them interested in baseball by making it fun, light and pressure free. Thanks from one Mass native to another.

[@GoldHatt]

I'm going to be coaching my 6 year olds team with another parent this Spring. I'm looking forward to making it fun and getting the fundamentals down. This video was very helpful to refresh me since my two older boys 7 & 9 have been playing for a couple of years but covid put a cramp in our season last year.

[@radioguy801]

How's coaching going? I've been asked to coach my 7 year olds team for the first time... very nervous lol

[@GoldHatt]

It went well last year! All my kids had never played before and by mid season I had every single one of them hitting and understanding the game! This video helped a lot. This year I was so busy with my oldest going to Tournaments in basketball that I couldn’t commit to coach but I was team mom and implemented a lot of what I learned when I was around for practices and games to help out our coach who had never played or coached before. :) it’s very rewarding, I had such a blast and love seeing all my kiddos playing still this year! It makes me happy when they see me and remember how much fun we had but also learned a lot!

[@radioguy801]

@@GoldHatt That's very encouraging, thank you! And team mom is an amazing mom in my eyes! I'd love to get my son in basketball, still contemplating football as I'm pretty sure I suffered multiple brain impacts, kinda hard not to 😬

[@GoldHatt]

Basketball was my fave sport growing up so I loved having my oldest in it! He picked it up so fast and even made it on All Stars and it was his first year. We did a lot of practicing. :) But all 3 of my boys will be playing football this fall also. We actually have evaluations this Saturday. I’m nervous about the concussion part… ❤️‍🩹 But they’re very excited and we know a lot of the coaches around here who will be guiding the kids. So I think it helps knowing that. Trying to keep them athletic all year round.

[@GoldHatt]

And thank you! :)

[@davidlamountain2248]

I'm going to invest in Matty Antonelli rookie cards! The kid's a superstar!

[@megan_2444]

Awesome video great advice! This year is going to be my sons first year playing T-Ball! he just turned 5 and it’s hard not to correct him. He also likes to twirl after hitting the ball and it drives me crazy i tell him he’ll never make it to base and needs to practice like he is playing a game.

[@BigHairyGuitars]

3:53 EPIC BAT DROP

[@TheUnbeatenOne]

I love this

[@jacobduvall9895]

Move Back to Nashville lets get a Travel team started i have a pretty good 6 year old and we are about to get started playing travel here in the nexy year or so! I didn't play college ball or anything but i played with alot of talented players on that went to some of the biggest schools! Ross Mitchell that played for Mississippi State played on my travel team for years for example. Just ready to get into it and find a smart coach like yourself to join!

[@keebank8969]

Have they opened up your travel leagues yet? Our boys resume practice and games on May 26th here in Ohio. A few tweaks to the rules because of COVID but all in all it will be nice to get the season rolling.

[@AntonelliBaseball]

KEEBANK not yet...our state is a bit behind the others right now

[@joeg4707]

Cool routine. Matty looking like Lucas Duda with that high leg kick!

[@robstack3712]

Matt - that last point raises a question, if we see so many bang bang plays at first, doesn’t a lefty have a 1-2 step advantage in getting to first? Remember Ichiro, he was like a full stride toward first sometimes ??? Plus, lefty swings look better

[@luisfarinacci7807]

Thank you for your recommendations

[@johnhebda]

What type of tee is that in the video? I see the tanner link in the description but the base looks quite different. Thanks! Great video!

[@stevedoyel]

What is the equipment used in this video (net and soft toss dispenser?) I’d like to get a setup like this for my son this winter. He’s 5. Thanks!

[@melo8238]

Do you like the open stance more in general ? Or just for the kids ? Great swings by the way !

[@RolandDeschain1]

Little Matty will be pimping his home runs in no time.

[@nickdoyle2149]

Where did you get that soft toss machine?

[@Arnnnnn]

very nice, started coaching my brother. good tips

[@kevinlittlejohn7418]

Thank you!

[@vcutrader7079]

Awesome. Thanks for the tips. What kind of soft toss machine is that??

[@CruceEntertainment]

I’m having to reprogram my 9 year old a bit after realizing he didn’t exactly learn the best habits early on. Especially when it comes to his stride - he opens up a lot. And didn’t understand the importance of good timing. Getting better now. But one thing he has always had fun doing is swinging hard.

[@Heartssfrom_zora]

I Love it!

[@AntonelliBaseball]

Thanks!

[@steveplochocki7221]

What are the balls your hitting off the machine? Jugs Light Flite? Also the initial balls from being of film. Thanks great as always!

[@thebillygarcia]

All I need is a son now thank you man this is great

[@AntonelliBaseball]

Thanks for watching!

[@anthonyhalal4627]

Pretty cool to see, I also have a 5 year old very into baseball. I seem to be taking the same approach less talk more fun correct the little things. We are also from Massachusetts, the central mass area. Ill have to look into your baseball camps!

[@funnyschtuff]

Inspiring- great advice

[@DC-kb9si]

I love your drills!! I have a question for you. I have a son that turns 6 next month and finished his 2nd year of t-ball. When do you start teaching mechanics? I've been watching your youth hitting drills and just want to know when I should start helping him with mechanics. For reference he'll be playing another season in t-ball next year before moving up. Thank you so much for all you provide to us parents out there.

[@AntonelliBaseball]

So I started teaching more and more after these videos, but still don’t go crazy. Just subtle things. Basically whatever they can understand and every kid is different

[@DC-kb9si]

@@AntonelliBaseball Thank you so much for the reply. I will definitely take this to heart. I appreciate it.

[@Dr_Doomzday]

Thats amazing man

[@Knowdis96]

He never misses!

[@madeconomist]

And the kid steals the show!

[@JP-ey6ll]

Great video and advice, thanks for all your content

[@lgm_nyk]

He’s got Bellinger’s stance

[@sofialopez5604]

Please help me find this type of net… with the stand with sliding balls, not just a tee. Thank you.

[@AUChase]

Just curious where you found the tool used around the 4 min mark that delivers the ball? Thanks for your help and this video is great!

[@Titannurse]

Your kid spins too. Huh. Alright well your approach seems right. I'll talk less. 😆

[@TruckingwithDev]

So I have 4 boys and I’m looking to start playing with them and teaching them baseball from 2yrs old to 9yrs old what would be a great starter bat and equipment to use????thanks in advance

[@Wholesomedove]

Thank you for the advice about mechanics, I really harp on my sons back elbow and he gets super upset

[@JorgeTorres-sv3lv]

Nice video keep up the good work was that machine throwing ball call can find it

[@monicagudino6738]

So awesome

[@ramonrojas]

Someone can tell me the name of that device that release the ball for batting

[@tennisratchet5251]

Love the batting lefty make sure he throws right he’ll be a beast