Planning an Efficient Practice

Plan · Free lesson

about 30 minutes

Coaches Lesson 1: Planning an Efficient Practice

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Area: Plan (Practice and season) · Time: about 30 minutes · Need: your roster, a field and cage plan, your assistants, a clipboard or phone timer

Goal: Plan practices in timed blocks and stations so every player is working most of the time, and practice looks like games.
Why it matters: Most coaches have about two hours and too many players for one drill. A written plan with stations and rep goals cuts standing around, keeps energy high and makes skills stick.

1. Watch first (about 14 min total)

Video	Channel	Length	Why we chose it
Better Practice Planning Using the P.R.A.C.T.I.C.E. Framework	American Baseball Coaches Association (ABCA)	2:48	A simple framework from Dominate the Diamond (ABCA clinic): plan around players, space, coaches and time, with a focus from recent games.
Non Competition vs. Competition Segment Practice Planning with Kerrick Jackson, Univ. of Missouri	American Baseball Coaches Association (ABCA)	1:34	Missouri’s head coach on mixing teaching (non-competitive) segments with competitive ones.
Drills That Build Competitive Fire & Maximize Practice Time	American Baseball Coaches Association (ABCA)	1:26	Team drills that build competition and save practice time, from the 2025 ABCA Convention.
Baseball Practice Plan Tips (Run A Super Efficient Practice That Helps Win Championships!)	YouGoProBaseball	7:43	A former pro infielder’s tips for running a fast, organized practice.

2. What you need to know

Topic	The short version	Source
Plan from the last game	Pick one or two team focuses from what happened in recent games. Write the plan before practice and post it so players know what is next.	Coach advice (see videos)
Time blocks	Give every block a start time and a goal. Move on when the time is up, even if the drill was not perfect.	Coach advice (see videos)
Stations	Split into small groups that rotate. Each station needs a coach or a clear self-run drill with a rep goal (for example, 25 swings).	Coach advice (see videos)
Compete	Mix teaching segments with competitive segments that keep score. Pressure in practice makes games feel normal.	Coach advice (see videos)
Count the throws	Throwing is part of the plan, not extra. Pitchers who threw in a game need lighter days; IHSAA sets required rest by pitch count (Lesson 3).	IHSAA By-Laws 2026–27, Rule 51-4 (pitch count)
Season dates (IHSAA)	2026–27 first practice: Mar. 8, 2027. First game: Mar. 22, 2027.	IHSAA 2026–27 Seasons at a Glance
Scrimmage (IHSAA)	One controlled scrimmage with another IHSAA school is allowed, no earlier than the day after the 5th day of practice and before the first game.	IHSAA By-Laws 2026–27, Rule 51-7 (controlled scrimmage)

Sample 2-hour practice (our estimate, adjust to your roster)

When	Block	Notes
0:00–0:15	Dynamic warm-up and base running	Everyone. Base running counts as warm-up.
0:15–0:30	Throwing progression	Partners. Distance and intensity follow the arm plan (Lesson 3).
0:30–0:50	Team defense focus	One situation only, for example bunt coverage (Lesson 5).
0:50–1:30	Stations: 4 groups × 10 minutes	Cage, tee and front toss, position work, pitchers (bullpen or fielding).
1:30–1:50	Competitive segment	Live or scripted situations. Keep score.
1:50–2:00	Wrap-up	One takeaway, next practice focus, pick up.

3. Common mistakes and fixes

Mistake	What you see	Fix
No written plan	Players standing while coaches decide what is next	Write and post a timed plan. Give each coach a station.
One line, one ball	Twelve players watching one hitter	Run stations so every player is working at the same time.
Too many focuses	Practice covers everything; nothing sticks	One or two team focuses per practice, tied to the last game.
No pressure	Practice is flat; games feel different	End with a scored segment every practice.

4. How to know it is working

Reps: count swings or ground balls per player in one station. Raise the number week to week.
Waiting time: no player stands still for more than a few minutes at a time.
Clock: blocks start and end on time; changes between stations take about 2 minutes (our estimate).
It is working when: players arrive knowing the plan and move between stations on their own.

5. Do this at practice this week

Write your next practice in time blocks with a goal for each block. Post it in the dugout or team app.
Give each assistant one station and a rep goal.
End practice with a 10-minute scored segment.

Challenge: Have someone time one practice. Count the minutes an average player is active versus waiting. Cut the biggest wait in half at the next practice.

Check the latest: IHSAA dates change each school year. Check the IHSAA calendar for the latest: [ihsaa.org calendar](https://www.ihsaa.org/resources/calendar). Numbers marked “our estimate” are the Hub’s guidance, not rules.

Videos

Coaches · Coaching