is there anyway of running a practice game or seeing how to play the different maps before one enters into a real game?

When you create a game you can choose whether it's a ranked or practice game. A practice game doesn't show up on your stats.

Tbh, you probably shouldn't be too worried about your stats, people don't pay that much attention to them - it's too easy for them to be inflated.

If you want to practice against AI's, go to single Player, Select Custom.

For 3vs3 Europe there is a guidebook on the forum, and for the strategic 1vs1 template there are some tips on Warlight Wiki.

you can always play single player games with any settings as well