just a question about a lesson

you can tell it is taks week. I have alot of extra time on my hands

ctiger,

You have a PM.

CT,

We've been going to the same hitting instructor for the last 3 years. Personally, I like this because he knows my sons swing and in 5 swings he can see what corrections need to be made. It has worked well and my sons feels very comfortable and LISTENS to what he says.

One of the reasons I don't like going to someone new, is that they try and make too many adjustments. As you know, every hitting instructor has a different approach. Once, you find the right fit, stick with it.

This approach has worked well for us.

I agree with Longtoss. For us, the key is reaching a place where my son is able to recognize what might be going wrong in his swing and make corrections. It takes a while to get to that point. And, I agree that each teacher will have different ideas. I think it is important to realize that even small adjustments to a hitter's swing take much repetition (muscle memory thing). Obviously, terminology is important as well -- and a single instructor can establish consistency in that area.

I think I see where you're going ctiger --- what about these guys that spend $$$alot$$$ on private instruction, then stand in front of their HS coaches with "flaws"? In that case, a player should be able to describe his approach (which hopefully echoes that of his private instructor)....that way, the two coaches need not reinvent the wheel.

We have not invested years in private instruction, but have found an instructor that is a good communicator.

ct -- regarding your comment about making a kid "feel good" about his swing....I think that is important as well, as long as it is sound. As you know, hitting is 40% physical and 75% mental.

I agree. My son has been going to the same guy for years. As PD said, in 5 swings he knows what is wrong, and spends the next 28 minutes making sure he works back to what is right for my son.

New instructors scare me, and although we probably will make a change after the HS season is done (because the instructor moved 20 miles further away), it makes me leary.

I also think its a good idea to cross check your mechanics with a different instructor from time to time. As long as the new instructor knows he isn't looking for major changes, just adding a little input.

I find that if you just let the kid know how good he is, and that his HS has no clue. He normally comes back for more lessons.

quote:

Originally posted by Coolarrow:
I find that if you just let the kid know how good he is, and that his HS has no clue. He normally comes back for more lessons.

I'm not looking to have any instructor simply make my kid feel good...His mom covers those bases. I'm looking for someone who can teach and communicate. Have seen several former players not be able to communicate a bit.
I have a friend who is a well respected coach and gives lessons. If he thinks the kid is not getting any benefit or not "connecting" he's told the parent they are waisting time and money. I'm sure there are many many out there like him, but it is also fairly easy to spot the guys that are simply out to cash a check too.

ctiger - I don't think your question is very well thought out. Don't MLB players see the same hitting coach every day thru spring training & 162 game season? And on successful teams with little or no turnover in staff, MLB players will have the same hitting coach for years.

Given this line of reasoning, why should I as a consumer, change the hitting coach I have for my son if the coach is a good teacher and my son is having success?

mlb players play for those coaches they have no choice but to listen and trust that coach... If they dont then they will be traded or sent down to the minors.


My point was when you get to high school you are supposed to have a coach that guides you and coaches you on hitting.

Thus i used "when you get to high school" to start the discussion.

Sometimes i see kids in my program that go to private instructors in the fall (around christmas break) and they come back confused about hitting. (we do not let them go to private instructors during our season) for this reason.


There is a big difference between a mlb player and a hs player.

hs coaches can say "if you struggle and you buy into my philosophy i will have patience with you, if you struggle and you are listening to someone else then i have no patience at all"

I was just thinking by the time they are in high school wouldnt they be coached everyday for 3-4 months by the same coach and then they go to some other guy who may have a different philosophy..


I think we got off the topic a bit but I just wanted you to see it from a guy who makes a living trying to get 16-18 yr old kids to hit consistently.

again I am not trying to stir anything up in here..

A hs coach in our district wants the kids to be taught the same method of hitting that he teaches them. Therefore, if the athlete wants to see an outside hitting coach, the hs head coach has a hitting instructor that he recommends. This instructor teaches the same hitting method as the head coach. That way they are all on the same page during the season.

that is a good plan