Do most Women’s teams use male practice players and do the practice players get any benefit besides a workout?
Actually they get many benefits,,,Males learn from the gitgo to use one hand throughout the layup process with the off-hand for fending, while girls who start with the "two-hand from the belly" pickup at a younger age because they aren't taught well,,,SO if the girls defend it, they understand its purpose.
Most guys shoot from the temple, while most girls shoot from the shoulder,,,if they face the proper mechanics, they can see and learn the benefit of releasing the ball at a higher point because they see how much more difficult it is to block a ball shot from the temple.
Guys have a more even torso-to-leg ratio, while most females have longer legs and shorter torso,,,since guys have a more equal balance of leg-torso, they use their shorter legs to gain leverage against taller athletes, thus the females who are equal in height, but disproportionate upper/lower lengths learn that its not the taller person who gets leverage, it is the one whose knees are closer to the ground,
Lastly, guys love to show off and they love even more to teach,,so, when a female shows sincere interest in a guys skills, the guys become natural nurturers and can often teach someone their own age better than us much older coaches.
Plus many more lessons can be gained from girls working with boys...I have incorporated this practice for years and my girls benefit from it.