Keys to a great practice: Start on time, keep kids moving, have a plan but stay flexible. Aim for 3-4 water breaks. End on a high note so kids leave excited for the next one. These templates are starting points - adjust based on what your team needs most. The first five plans are the core templates (all ages); the two 12U plans at the bottom add the situational / running-game blocks the more mature group needs.
Best for: Regular weeknight practices with balanced skill development
| Time |
Activity |
Min |
| 0:00 |
Arrive, gear up, quick team huddle |
5 |
| 0:05 |
Dynamic warm-up |
6 |
| 0:11 |
Throwing progression |
9 |
| 0:20 |
Skill block #1 (fielding OR hitting) |
20 |
| 0:40 |
Water break |
3 |
| 0:43 |
Skill block #2 (other skill) |
17 |
| 1:00 |
Game situations / live reps |
10 |
| 1:10 |
Conditioning / fun competition |
5 |
| 1:15 |
Team huddle, wrap-up |
- |
Notes:
- Alternate which skill (fielding/hitting) comes first each practice
- Game situations should simulate real plays with runners
Best for: Short field time, doubleheader days, or when running behind
| Time |
Activity |
Min |
| 0:00 |
Quick huddle while stretching |
3 |
| 0:03 |
Dynamic warm-up (abbreviated) |
5 |
| 0:08 |
Throwing progression |
7 |
| 0:15 |
Primary skill focus |
18 |
| 0:33 |
Water break |
2 |
| 0:35 |
Secondary skill or game situations |
15 |
| 0:50 |
Live reps / competition |
8 |
| 0:58 |
Team huddle |
2 |
Notes:
- Pick ONE main focus - don't try to do everything
- Keep transitions fast - have equipment ready
Best for: Weekend practices, pre-tournament prep, or when you have extra field time
| Time |
Activity |
Min |
| 0:00 |
Team meeting - review goals for practice |
5 |
| 0:05 |
Dynamic warm-up (full sequence) |
8 |
| 0:13 |
Throwing progression + long toss |
12 |
| 0:25 |
Fielding stations (rotate groups) |
20 |
| 0:45 |
Water break |
3 |
| 0:48 |
Hitting stations (tee, soft toss, BP) |
22 |
| 1:10 |
Water break |
2 |
| 1:12 |
Live game situations (full scenarios) |
12 |
| 1:24 |
Fun competition / conditioning |
5 |
| 1:29 |
Team huddle, recap key learnings |
- |
Notes:
- Use stations to maximize reps - need parent helpers
- Great opportunity for position-specific work
- Watch energy levels - add an extra break if needed
Best for: When bats have been cold, pre-game tune-up, or offensive skill development
| Time |
Activity |
Min |
| 0:00 |
Huddle, gear up |
5 |
| 0:05 |
Dynamic warm-up |
6 |
| 0:11 |
Throwing progression (quick) |
7 |
| 0:18 |
Tee work - mechanics focus |
12 |
| 0:30 |
Soft toss / front toss |
12 |
| 0:42 |
Water break |
3 |
| 0:45 |
Live BP - coach pitch |
15 |
| 1:00 |
Situational hitting (hit & run, move runner) |
10 |
| 1:10 |
Quick fielding review |
5 |
| 1:15 |
Team huddle |
- |
Notes:
- Non-hitters should be shagging or doing tee work
- Emphasize quality swings over quantity
Best for: After sloppy games, working on team defense, or building fielding fundamentals
| Time |
Activity |
Min |
| 0:00 |
Huddle, gear up |
5 |
| 0:05 |
Dynamic warm-up |
6 |
| 0:11 |
Throwing progression (emphasize accuracy) |
9 |
| 0:20 |
Ground ball fundamentals - ready position, fielding, footwork |
15 |
| 0:35 |
Fly ball/pop-up work |
10 |
| 0:45 |
Water break |
3 |
| 0:48 |
Team defense - cutoffs and relays |
12 |
| 1:00 |
Live situations - runners on base |
10 |
| 1:10 |
Quick hitting (keep bats warm) |
5 |
| 1:15 |
Team huddle |
- |
Notes:
- Use fungo bat for efficient ground ball/fly ball work
- Put kids at their game positions for team defense
12U practices (ages 11-12): Same fundamentals, plus the things that only matter once runners lead off and steal — holding runners, rundowns, first-and-third, cutoffs, situational hitting, and pre-pitch defensive IQ. The two templates below build those in. Pull the drills from the
12U / Advanced sections of the drill cards and from
Baseball IQ & Game Situations.
Same plan, two pace settings: for the
rec / instructional team, keep blocks shorter and lighter, rotate everyone through every position, and keep it positive — development over winning. For the
Cooperstown / competitive team, run the same blocks with more reps, more game speed, and more accountability, and lean position players toward their roles.
Best for: A balanced 12U practice that touches hitting, defense, baserunning leads, and live situations
| Time |
Activity |
Min |
| 0:00 |
Huddle - call out today's focus + the day's situation theme |
5 |
| 0:05 |
Dynamic warm-up + arm care (bands) |
8 |
| 0:13 |
Throwing progression + long toss |
12 |
| 0:25 |
Hitting stations (incl. a two-strike / situational round) |
20 |
| 0:45 |
Water break |
3 |
| 0:48 |
Baserunning: primary/secondary leads + reading the pitcher |
12 |
| 1:00 |
Team defense block (cutoffs/relays OR first-and-third OR rundowns) |
15 |
| 1:15 |
Live situations scrimmage (pre-pitch IQ at game speed) |
12 |
| 1:27 |
Fun finisher + huddle |
3 |
Notes:
- Rotate the team-defense block week to week so you cover all of it over a few practices
- Pitchers/catchers can peel off into a battery station during hitting stations
- The live-situations close is the most important block - protect the time for it
Best for: Sharpening the running game on both sides - holding runners, throw-downs, and the first-and-third / rundown defenses
| Time |
Activity |
Min |
| 0:00 |
Huddle, gear up |
5 |
| 0:05 |
Dynamic warm-up + arm care |
7 |
| 0:12 |
Throwing progression |
8 |
| 0:20 |
Split: pitchers hold runners / slide step · catchers pop-time + throw-downs · fielders rundowns |
18 |
| 0:38 |
Water break |
2 |
| 0:40 |
First-and-third defense (whole team, pick your default) |
15 |
| 0:55 |
Baserunning: steals + extra-base reads vs. live battery |
12 |
| 1:07 |
Live situations scrimmage |
8 |
| 1:15 |
Team huddle |
- |
Notes:
- Run offense and defense against each other - real runners make the reps real
- Pick ONE first-and-third default and one steal-defense default; rep them, don't install five plays
- Mind pitch counts if pitchers throw live - this is mechanics/timing work, not a bullpen grind
General Practice Tips
- Have a backup plan - weather, missing equipment, or low attendance can change things
- Keep kids moving - standing in line = losing focus. Use stations when possible
- Positive-to-correction ratio - aim for 3 positive comments for every correction
- Water breaks are transitions - use them to reset and explain the next activity
- End strong - kids remember the last thing. Make it fun or finish with success
- Be flexible - if something isn't working, move on. Don't force it