Five hour practice Saturday and Sunday at 12u

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Apr 20, 2018
4,581
113
SoCal
How much practice is too much? Is 5 hours with no break (of course water) too much? Team also practice on 2 weekdays(2 plus hours). THese are not easy practices either. High intensity, max reps, 4 coaches, non stop.
Thoughts?
 
Feb 26, 2018
328
28
That does seem a little much. My DD's 13U team only practices on the weekend, 2 4 hour practices, but they get a 10-15 minute break at about the 2 hour mark to sit in the shade and eat a snack or whatever.
 

marriard

Not lost - just no idea where I am
Oct 2, 2011
4,312
113
Florida
How much practice is too much? Is 5 hours with no break (of course water) too much? Team also practice on 2 weekdays(2 plus hours). THese are not easy practices either. High intensity, max reps, 4 coaches, non stop.
Thoughts?

Yep.
Too much. 10 of the 12 kids will be out of the game in a year or two. 1 of the 2 remaining will hate the game but the parents wont let them quit.

1 might make it. That will be the light these coaches will use the next time through the age groups to attract players. I know a guy in Florida who has burned out and ruined at least 30 excellent players from 10U-HS but hey, his daughter is AWESOME and going to a P5 school next year. And she really is awesome. Not sure she even likes softball though. He is currently doing the same thing with his younger daughter.

I am sure the parents are all gung-ho though. Here is what you will hear. "The kids love it", "They are working harder than everyone else", "You have to be committed to being better", "This what you have to do to make it in college" and so on... It is all garbage.
 
Jul 1, 2019
172
43
Too much. I don't believe that you're getting "quality" work out of the kids after the three hour mark, especially if it was high intensity the whole way. Especially with two other practice days during the week. Then lets consider pitching/hitting lessons, etc. Nah, I don't like it at this age. If you're working hard for the push before college maybe, but even then I would say that would be geared toward an individual and not a team.
 
Apr 1, 2017
535
93
5 hours is just dumb. Doing it back to back days is insanity.

Like marriard said, a player or 2 might thrive in that setting, but the rest will all hate softball. And the few that excel probably would have anyway because they would be practicing on their own.
 
Apr 20, 2018
4,581
113
SoCal
Oh forgot to mention, players are expected(required to) have private hitting lesson and/or catching lesson midweek by an approved instructor. (one of the coaches)

Also no weekends off. Play or practice every weekend.

Also a added caveat, my DD is pre puberty. Don't want be graphic but I think that makes a little difference too.
 
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