What to Look for in Lessons (And what to avoid)

If you are receiving a hitting lesson and the "instructor" (more of a "destructor" in this example, but I digress) tells you to swing down to contact, run away screaming

My son did the 12u 30 minute pitching instruction.  It worked out VERY well for him.  60 minutes would have been too costly and too much throwing in my opinion.

In youth baseball,14u and under, it should be all about understanding why A + B gets you to C.  It shouldn't be about being the best, fastest, hardest throwing, highest exit velocity...etc.  Find an instructor that is teaching a kid what happens when you release too early, what happens if you land sideways, what happens if you open early...etc. This will give you a pitcher who can correct himself on the mound in real time because he can identify that XXXX just happened, and he needs to make YYYYY adjustment. 

I would suggest watching someone else get a lesson with a specific instructor before booking for your player.  There are instructors who spend 50 min giving a lesson and 10 minutes on their phone.  Drives me crazy.

Based on our experiences over the years, there are far more bad pitching instructors then good. When evaluating, make sure you have testimonials from players who were not as talented or were really struggling and saw a fairly dramatic change for the good. So many instructors hang their hats on  very talented or elite players who show up just needing minor tweaks. The only way you impress me these days is by taking on someone that needs a lot of work and getting him on the field, performing consistently at his optimal level of performance.

we did 45 minutes lessons for my sons, we found 30 minutes is not enough but a full hour at 10-12 is probably a bit over kill. once they hit 13 or so they did 1 hour lessons.

assuming you like the knowledge being taught...because we all don't agree. but assuming you do.

The key is the instructors ability to transfer and teach your son at the age or ability level he is at, I have seen way to many "high level" who aren't teachers and communicators. probably the biggest turn off for me is when anyone advertises themselves as former AA MiLB player...this means nothing to me. I would prefer the 60 year old dude in the corner who taught that former Milb player how to hit!!! At least from start for the first few years. At some point maybe you move beyond the old guy, maybe you don't, but the key is the transfer of knowledge. I think a playing resume is a terrible reason to use an instructor.

I know the "swing down" term is hot button, for good reason, another one is when I hear "let it travel" and "let it get deeper"...I hate both of those pieces of advice with a passion. There is a time and a place for both but when it is one of the primary teaching cues....you have a problem IMO.

I've had instruction experiences with First Round Draft picks, D1 coaches, and small school college players.  The best ones aren't always the ones that have gone the furthest in the game.  Some of the really great instructors have been the ones that have had to struggle the most themselves.  I agree with COACHLD.  The best instructors are the ones with proven results with kids that are not complete studs to begin with.  But the only way to truly get anything out of any lesson at all is to reinforce the technique being learned over and over again on your own.  Anyone going once a week for a 30 minute lesson that thinks it will improve their play will most likely be disappointed with the results.

There are many, many instructors but few that are really any good and it's really tough to find "good" instructor who can get results.  You've got to have good instruction AND you've got to have an instructee who has the ability to be instructed and work on what's being instructed.  I agree that one should find instructors with proven results, but that's usually easier said than done.

Even at the professional levels, there are instructors and coordinators who are not good at getting the results they want nor could they even at lower levels.  Being a successful player does not equate to being a good instructor.  So, past player achievements are not something to use as some sort of criteria.  You need someone who not only can read and understand what's going on with a student physically and emotionally, but needs to be able to effectively communicate what needs to be done too to achieve intended goals.  

Son's pitching instructor has a World Series ring.  He never mentions it unless you bring it up.  Others have taken their son to him for years and have no idea.

Truman;  any personal instruction should incorporate running [learn the value of speed and quickness]; teach the student how to observe the opponent pitcher and hitters; hitting on the field and in the cages; student retrieves the baseballs and fungo into the backstop. The use of the "high tee" is mandatory. Begin at age 15, teach kinetic. Teach "how to compete".  "How to adjust", "how to think"

Bob

Consultant posted:

Truman;  any personal instruction should incorporate running [learn the value of speed and quickness]; teach the student how to observe the opponent pitcher and hitters; hitting on the field and in the cages; student retrieves the baseballs and fungo into the backstop. The use of the "high tee" is mandatory. Begin at age 15, teach kinetic. Teach "how to compete".  "How to adjust", "how to think"

Bob

Good points Bob, there's certainly more to good instruction than mechanics. 

I agree with a lot of what was said here.  I was completely against private lessons, just the thought of paying someone for lessons made me cringe.   Ask PAbaseballdad.  His testimony as well as many others got me to see value in where my son currently goes.   The results have spoken for themselves.  His pitching/throwing mechanics have improved dramatically as well as his hitting.  He is being taught the "why" of doing things versus - just do it this way.  

I've found you normally go through a few instructors before you get to one worth his salt.  The instructor: engages the age of the kid, observes before he talks to much, keeps it simple, especially if the kid is in season, and the deal killer: is accessible and returns phone calls.  

Regardless of how good the first or second lesson is, don't commit to a 10 lesson pack!  Pay the small surcharge for individual lessons as you get to know the instructor.

Avoid people who charge a lot of money and don't know what they're talking about.

Go to a cage and hit balls over the L screen.  You'll be ahead of most kids, even in high school.