6U / 8U — Foundations Practice (90 min)
At 6U and 8U, the goal is enthusiasm and basic motor patterns. Keep stations short and rotate often. No drill should last more than 10 minutes — attention spans are limited and that's normal.
- 0:00–0:10 — Warm-up: jog the bases once, stretching circle led by a player
- 0:10–0:25 — Throwing station: pairs, 20-foot distance, focus on grip and step-toward-target
- 0:25–0:40 — Batting tee station: 3–4 players cycling through, 5 swings each
- 0:40–0:55 — Fielding fundamentals: coach rolls grounders, players practice fielding position and throwing to first
- 0:55–1:15 — Scrimmage / modified game: coach pitching, every batter gets 5 pitches
- 1:15–1:25 — Base running challenge: timed races around the bases, celebrate the fastest
- 1:25–1:30 — Team circle: 1 thing we did great today + snack announcement
Note: Keep the mood light. Laugh with them. A 7-year-old who leaves practice excited tells their parents. That parent re-enrolls next year.
10U / 11U — Skill Development Practice (90 min)
10U and 11U players can handle more complex drills and longer focus windows. Introduce game situations and decision-making into your defensive work.
- 0:00–0:10 — Dynamic warm-up: high knees, butt kicks, lunges, arm circles, throwing warm-up at 30 feet
- 0:10–0:30 — Three-station rotation (10 min each): (1) Batting tee/soft toss, (2) Ground balls to infield, (3) Fly ball reads in outfield
- 0:30–0:50 — Team defense: bunt coverage, first-and-third reads, cut-off and relay throws
- 0:50–1:10 — Live batting practice or machine: 8 swings per batter, emphasis on opposite-field contact
- 1:10–1:20 — Pitcher-specific: pitch mechanics and spot throwing for designated pitchers; fielders run bases
- 1:20–1:30 — Team debrief: individual feedback + tomorrow's game assignment
12U / 13U — Competitive Practice (90 min)
At 12U and 13U, players can handle game-situation drills and position-specific work. Start treating the practice like a mini game — every rep has a consequence.
- 0:00–0:15 — Long toss warm-up: build from 45 to 90+ feet, then back in
- 0:15–0:30 — Position-specific: pitchers bullpen session; infielders double-play turns; catchers blocking and pop time
- 0:30–0:50 — Team defense: game-situation reads (runner on 2nd, ball to outfield; runner on 1st, bunt play; first-and-third, steal read)
- 0:50–1:10 — Live BP: pitchers throw live to hitters, full count, pitch counts tracked
- 1:10–1:25 — Scrimmage: two-inning mini game, game rules fully enforced including pitch counts
- 1:25–1:30 — Debrief: pitcher availability for next game, individual assignments for next practice
Note: Track pitch counts in practice the same way you do in games — use the LYB web app scorer. It protects arms, builds the habit, and keeps rest-day calculations accurate automatically.
14U — Advanced Practice (90 min)
14U practices feel like high school workouts. Players should arrive warmed up and ready to go. Focus on execution under pressure — every rep matters.
- 0:00–0:10 — Self-directed warm-up: players lead stretching and throwing (rotate leaders)
- 0:10–0:30 — Defense: position-specific blocking, reads, and throws; infield works double plays and backhand reads
- 0:30–0:45 — Situational BP: pitcher vs. hitter with specific counts and game situations called out before each pitch
- 0:45–1:05 — Full team scrimmage: game rules enforced, pitch counts tracked, coaches call games from dugout
- 1:05–1:20 — Pitcher/catcher session: pitch sequencing, sign system, call a full inning with the catcher
- 1:20–1:30 — Film/whiteboard session: review one defensive play or offensive approach concept
