The article describes the results of a scientific study of the problem of theoretical substantiation of the problem of developing innovative practices of educational activities in universities. Monitoring the effectiveness of educational practices in universities is becoming an increasingly urgent problem. Currently, there is a need to create a bank of the best practices of educational activities. The following theories of activity, psychological theories of personality, the principle of co-existence in education, the phenomenon of readiness for activity, the theory of “soft skills” or “flexible” (or “soft”) skills, the theory of social relays are chosen, analyzed and substantiated as the theoretical basis of the study. As a result of the analysis of the theory of activity, we came to the conclusion that educational practices should have a purposeful and meaningful character, and the preparation of teachers for educational activities should be carried out within the framework of practice-oriented activities and modeling of educational situations. The personality structure of S.L. Rubinstein serves as a support (prototype) for determining the component composition of teachers' readiness for educational activities. Based on stable and dynamic personality characteristics identified by scientists, stable and flexible personality qualities can be identified that form the readiness of teachers for educational activities. Having analyzed the phenomenon of readiness for activity, we came to the conclusion that readiness for the implementation of educational practices presupposes activity and predisposition to it, the need for its implementation, the ability to activate the mental functions necessary for its implementation; assuming that there is a stable motivation for its implementation, as well as preadaptive abilities, the ability to project future events in educational activities. “Flexible skills” are a necessary element of a teacher's professional competence, ensuring the effectiveness of the implementation of educational practices. The analysis of the works devoted to the theory of social relays allowed us to conclude that they can be used as one of the effective methods of forming the value attitude of teachers to educational activities, through social relays, accumulated life experience, patterns of behavior, ideals necessary for teachers to effectively implement the practices of educational activities can be transferred. The considered psychological and pedagogical theories, concepts, works of various authors, act as a theoretical basis for the development and adaptation of educational practices at the university, are the basis for the development of a training system and a model of readiness of teachers for educational activities at the university.