Coaches Dream Resources

12U Baseball Practice Plans

Four ready-to-run practice plans for twelve-and-under teams, each about 90 minutes. Every plan opens with a dynamic warm-up, builds through focused skill work with a water break, and finishes with a cool-down and wrap-up — complete with drills, reps, and coaching cues.

These plans are general guidelines. Adapt the timing, reps, and intensity to your players' age and skill level, and always follow your league's rules and 12U pitch-count & arm-care guidelines.

Defense & Throwing Fundamentals

Build clean throwing mechanics and confident glove work on ground balls and fly balls through high-rep, low-stress drills.

90 minModerate intensity8 blocks

Equipment

  • Baseballs (1 per player + a bucket)
  • Gloves
  • 4 cones or flat markers
  • Throw-down bases
  • Fungo bat (or coach soft-tosses grounders)
  • Water bottles
  1. 0:00–0:10Dynamic Warm-Up & Arm Prep10 min
    • Light jog around the infield, then high knees, butt kicks, lunges, and arm circles (2 lengths each)
    • Wrist flips at 10 feet (focus on a 4-seam grip and backspin)
    • Knee-down one-knee throws at 15 feet to feel the arm path
    • Stand-up partner throws working out to a comfortable distance

    Coaching points

    • Throw to build up the arm, not to win — start short and stretch out gradually
    • Glove side leads, throwing elbow at or above shoulder height
  2. 0:10–0:22Throwing Mechanics Stations12 min
    • Power position holds: break the ball down out of the glove, thumbs-down, then freeze in an L before throwing
    • Figure-4 / one-knee throws emphasizing a clean 4-seam grip across the seams
    • Partner catch with a target glove held chest-high; 10 accurate throws each

    Coaching points

    • Point the glove (and front shoulder) at the target, then pull the glove to the chest
    • Follow through so the throwing hand finishes by the opposite knee
  3. 0:22–0:38Ground Ball Footwork & Fielding16 min
    • Triangle / alligator drill: roll grounders so the player fields out front with two hands (top hand 'chomps' the ball)
    • Right-left-throw rhythm: field, replace feet, and throw to a partner or base
    • Backhand and forehand reps moving laterally to short cones
    • Short-hop catches on one knee to build soft hands

    Coaching points

    • Field the ball out in front, not under the body — see the ball into the glove
    • Round off the ball on slow rollers so you are moving through it toward your target
  4. 0:38–0:43Water Break5 min
    • Hydrate and reset
    • Quick coach recap of the two cues so far: field out front, throw to the chest

    Coaching points

    • Keep it short — bodies stay warm and loose
  5. 0:43–0:58Fly Balls & Communication15 min
    • Drop-step reads: coach points the player back, then lobs a ball over the lead shoulder
    • Catch fly balls with two hands above the throwing shoulder, ready to come down and throw
    • Calling drill: every ball is caught only after a loud 'Ball! Ball! Ball!' to practice priority

    Coaching points

    • Drop step and run on the balls of the feet — sprint, then settle under the ball
    • Loudest, earliest call wins; everyone else echoes 'Take it!' and peels off
  6. 0:58–1:18Position Reps & Throws Across20 min
    • Split into infield and outfield groups; rotate every 5 minutes
    • Infield: field grounders and make accurate throws to first using crow-hop footwork
    • Outfield: field grounders and fly balls, crow-hop, and hit a relay/cutoff target
    • Add a 'do-or-die' rep: charge a slow grounder and make a quick throw

    Coaching points

    • Crow-hop toward the target to put the legs into the throw — protects the arm
    • Throw through the cutoff at chest height so it can be caught and redirected
  7. 1:18–1:25Knockout Competition7 min
    • Clean-catch relay: teams race to make 10 error-free catch-and-throws
    • Reset to zero on any drop to reward focus under mild pressure

    Coaching points

    • Compete, but keep mechanics — accuracy beats velocity
  8. 1:25–1:30Cool-Down & Wrap-Up5 min
    • Light jog and arm/shoulder stretches (sleeper stretch, cross-body, wrist)
    • Coach names one defensive cue each player improved on today
    • Preview the next practice and remind players to ice/rest if their arm is sore

    Coaching points

    • Stretch the throwing shoulder while it is still warm
    • End on a positive — celebrate effort and good reps

Hitting & Baserunning

Develop a repeatable swing through progressive hitting stations, then connect it to smart baserunning reads and aggressive turns.

90 minModerate intensity8 blocks

Equipment

  • Batting tees (2-3)
  • Whiffle balls and regular baseballs
  • Bats and helmets
  • Soft-toss net or screen
  • L-screen for front toss / BP
  • Throw-down bases
  • Cones
  • Water bottles
  1. 0:00–0:10Dynamic Warm-Up & Hands Prep10 min
    • Jog and dynamic stretches: leg swings, trunk twists, hip openers
    • Quick partner catch to loosen arms (hitting practice still includes throwing reps)
    • Bat-speed primer: 10 easy dry swings focusing on balance and finish

    Coaching points

    • Athletic stance: feet shoulder-width, knees soft, weight on the balls of the feet
    • Move with purpose — warm-up sets the tempo for the whole practice
  2. 0:10–0:22Tee Work Stations12 min
    • Set the tee at belt height, middle of the plate; 10 controlled swings
    • Move the tee inside and outside to feel contact points (out front for inside, deeper for outside)
    • Top-hand-only and bottom-hand-only swings (5 each) to feel barrel control
    • Finish with 5 full swings 'hitting through' the ball into the net

    Coaching points

    • Hit the inside of the ball and drive it back through the middle
    • Eyes down at contact; let the head stay quiet and still
  3. 0:22–0:34Soft Toss & Rhythm12 min
    • Coach tosses underhand from the side; hitter loads, strides, and drives line drives
    • Add a small rhythmic load ('go back to go forward') to start the swing on time
    • Rapid-fire short toss (lighter balls) for 8-10 quick reps to train timing

    Coaching points

    • Load early, swing on time — get the front foot down before the toss arrives
    • Stay inside the ball; barrel works down to the ball and through, not loopy
  4. 0:34–0:39Water Break5 min
    • Hydrate and rotate stations
    • Coach recap: balanced load, eyes on contact, drive through the middle

    Coaching points

    • Quick reset so swings stay crisp, not tired
  5. 0:39–0:59Front Toss / Live BP20 min
    • Coach throws front toss from behind an L-screen at game-like timing
    • Each hitter gets a 6-8 swing round; rotate so no one stands too long
    • Non-hitters shag in the field and work fielding/throwing reps between turns
    • Track quality contact (hard line drives) rather than just 'hits'

    Coaching points

    • Hunt a good pitch to hit; take the borderline ones early in the count
    • Same balanced swing every time — do not get bigger to pull the ball
  6. 0:59–1:11Situational Hitting12 min
    • Runner on 2nd, no outs: hit the ball to the right side to move the runner
    • Two-strike approach: choke up slightly, shorten the swing, battle and put it in play
    • Hit-and-run look: swing to make contact and stay out of the double play

    Coaching points

    • Know the situation before you step in — what does the team need here?
    • With two strikes, give up some power to protect the plate
  7. 1:11–1:25Baserunning Reads14 min
    • Out of the box: run hard through first base, then practice the turn for a possible double
    • Secondary leads (12U): a controlled shuffle off the base as the pitch crosses, ready to react
    • Read the ball in the dirt: break to the next base on a passed ball / wild pitch
    • First-to-third reads: pick up the third-base coach and round the bag hard

    Coaching points

    • Leadoffs are limited at 12U — focus on timing your secondary lead with the pitch
    • Round the base by bellying out a few steps so you hit the inside corner of the bag
  8. 1:25–1:30Cool-Down & Wrap-Up5 min
    • Easy jog and full-body stretch (hamstrings, hips, shoulders, wrists)
    • Coach highlights one good swing and one smart baserunning read from the day
    • Reminder: take a few quality tee swings at home, not hundreds of sloppy ones

    Coaching points

    • Quality over quantity — good reps build good habits
    • Finish with confidence and a clear thought for next time

Pitching & Catching Development

Sharpen pitching mechanics and a controlled bullpen alongside catcher fundamentals, while protecting young arms with strict pitch-count and arm-care guidance.

90 minModerate intensity8 blocks

Equipment

  • Baseballs (bucket)
  • Pitching rubber / mound (or flat-ground with a marker)
  • Full catcher's gear (mask, chest protector, shin guards, mitt)
  • Home plate and a target / strike-zone frame
  • Cones
  • Throw-down bases
  • Water bottles
  1. 0:00–0:10Dynamic Warm-Up & Arm Care10 min
    • Jog, dynamic stretch, and arm circles to raise body temperature
    • Band or light arm-care series (external rotation, scaption) if available
    • Progressive throwing: start at 15 feet and stretch out, never max-effort early

    Coaching points

    • Warm the arm to throw — never throw to warm the arm
    • Stop and tell a coach about any elbow or shoulder pain — arm health comes first
  2. 0:10–0:22Pitching Mechanics Drills12 min
    • Balance-point holds: lift to a stable knee-up position, then pause before going forward
    • Stride-and-separate drill: glove and ball break down, out, and up as the front foot lands
    • Towel drill or easy flat-ground to groove the arm path and a full follow-through

    Coaching points

    • Stay tall and balanced over the rubber before moving toward the plate
    • Lead with the front hip; let the arm follow the lower half down the mound
  3. 0:22–0:37Catcher Fundamentals15 min
    • Primary stance (no runners): relaxed, glove out, give a low target
    • Receiving: 'stick' strikes and softly frame borderline pitches toward the zone
    • Blocking progression: drop to both knees, chin down, smother the ball in front
    • Quick pop-up-and-throw footwork to second base (feet first, then a short, quick release)

    Coaching points

    • Receive the ball quietly — beat it to the spot and give a still, low target
    • Block, do not catch, balls in the dirt: angle the shoulders to keep it in front
  4. 0:37–0:42Water Break5 min
    • Hydrate and rotate pitchers/catchers
    • Coach recap: balanced delivery for pitchers, quiet receiving and blocking for catchers

    Coaching points

    • Use the break to check in on every pitcher's arm — any soreness?
  5. 0:42–1:02Controlled Bullpen20 min
    • Each pitcher throws a short, purposeful pen (about 15-25 pitches) to a catcher and a target
    • Work the fastball to both sides of the plate; add a change-up only if it is age-appropriate
    • Catcher gives targets and calls locations; track strikes vs. balls for feedback
    • Cap pitches per arm-care guidance and rest pitchers fully between turns — quality over volume

    Coaching points

    • Respect 12U pitch-count and rest rules — count every pitch and stop on time
    • No breaking balls (curveballs) at 12U — protect the elbow; command the fastball first
  6. 1:02–1:14Pitcher Fielding Practice (PFP)12 min
    • Comebackers: field the ball, set the feet, and make a controlled throw to first
    • Cover first base on balls hit to the right side (run a banana path, catch on the inside)
    • Field the bunt and make the call ('one!' or 'two!') with the catcher

    Coaching points

    • Be a fielder after you pitch — finish the delivery in a balanced, ready position
    • Catch the flip from first early and step on the inside edge of the bag
  7. 1:14–1:25Holding Runners & Team Reps11 min
    • Pitchers practice a quick slide-step and varying the timing to the plate
    • Catchers work pop-time throws to second with an infielder applying a tag
    • Run a simple bunt-coverage rep with pitcher, catcher, and corners working together

    Coaching points

    • Control the running game with timing, not by rushing the pitch
    • Catcher's footwork and a quick exchange beat a big arm — clean transfer first
  8. 1:25–1:30Cool-Down & Arm-Care Wrap-Up5 min
    • Light jog and throwing-shoulder stretches while still warm
    • Review each pitcher's pitch count and the required rest days before throwing again
    • Coach gives one positive for every pitcher and catcher

    Coaching points

    • Log pitch counts and honor mandatory rest — this prevents injuries
    • Ice or rest a sore arm; never 'push through' arm pain at this age

Game Situations & Scrimmage

Tie individual skills together with team defense — cutoffs, bunt defense, first-and-third, and rundowns — then test it in a controlled situational scrimmage.

90 minHigh intensity8 blocks

Equipment

  • Baseballs (bucket)
  • Full set of bases (or throw-downs)
  • Helmets and bats
  • Catcher's gear
  • Fungo bat
  • Cones for alignment
  • Water bottles
  1. 0:00–0:10Dynamic Warm-Up & Throwing10 min
    • Team jog and dynamic stretch series
    • Progressive partner throwing, stretching the arms out to game distance
    • Quick infield/outfield 'one-rep-each' to get gloves moving

    Coaching points

    • Game-day energy from the first minute — move with intent
    • Throw with full mechanics and accuracy; warm arms make clean reps
  2. 0:10–0:25Cutoffs & Relays15 min
    • Walk through alignment: who is the cutoff on a ball to each gap and down the line
    • Outfielder to relay to base: throw through the cutoff at chest height
    • Add a trail/backup runner so infielders learn to read the play and redirect or let it go
    • Repeat both single-cut and double-cut (relay) situations on deep balls

    Coaching points

    • Cutoff lines up between the ball and the target, calls 'cut!' with the base
    • Hit the cutoff chest-high so they can spin and throw — a one-hop relay is fine
  3. 0:25–0:37Bunt Defense12 min
    • Set the coverage: corners crash, pitcher fields the middle, catcher directs traffic
    • Catcher makes the call loud ('one!' to first, or 'two!' for the lead runner) on each rep
    • Reps from sacrifice-bunt looks with a runner on first, then runners on first and second

    Coaching points

    • Get the sure out first — only go for the lead runner if it is clearly there
    • Field the bunt with two hands, set the feet, and make an accurate throw
  4. 0:37–0:42Water Break5 min
    • Hydrate and regroup
    • Coach recap of communication: every play has a loud call and a backup

    Coaching points

    • Reset focus — the next block is the toughest team play
  5. 0:42–0:54First-and-Third Defense12 min
    • Walk through the team's chosen play (e.g., look the runner back, then throw through to second)
    • Practice the catcher's read and throw with the middle infielders covering and reading the runner at third
    • Run live reps with baserunners trying to steal/score so fielders make real decisions

    Coaching points

    • Know the plan before the pitch and check the runner at third first
    • Communicate loudly — the whole infield must know the call pre-pitch
  6. 0:54–1:04Rundowns10 min
    • Two-fielder rundown: run the runner hard back toward the previous base
    • Show the ball up, make one quick throw, and apply the tag — minimize throws
    • Practice peeling out of the lane after throwing so you do not block the next fielder

    Coaching points

    • Run full speed at the runner to force a quick decision; one throw, one tag
    • Throw to the glove-side and clear the running lane after you release
  7. 1:04–1:24Controlled Situational Scrimmage20 min
    • Coach sets the situation each inning (e.g., 'runner on second, one out')
    • Live at-bats off coach or a pitcher (within pitch limits) with full defense in place
    • Freeze the play to coach reads — cutoffs, bunt coverage, first-and-third, rundowns as they come up
    • Rotate positions so every player gets reps in the field and on the bases

    Coaching points

    • Play it like a game: communicate, hit the cutoff, and know the situation
    • Mistakes are teaching moments — reset and run the rep again the right way
  8. 1:24–1:30Cool-Down & Wrap-Up6 min
    • Light jog and full stretch, with extra attention to arms after a throwing-heavy day
    • Team talk: name two situations the team executed well and one to clean up
    • Set the focus and any reminders for the next game or practice

    Coaching points

    • Celebrate smart, heads-up baseball — not just the highlight plays
    • End together as a team on a confident, positive note

Plans are general guidelines — coaches should adapt them to their team, field time, and league rules.