Is private instruction a crock?

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Is private instruction a crock? I know I will get some good feed back on this topic. The reason I ask is as an instructor myself, am I really teaching these ladies how to hit? I know Im teaching them the mechanics and fundamentals of hitting but is this teaching them to be a good hitter? Are other instructors just in this for the money? I have to ask because after studying what Im teaching, I cant teach pitch selection to hitters without pitchers.. So I have decided to find a way to get pitchers to come to lessons to throw to my students. As the same to pitching instructors. You are teaching the kids to pitch but are you really teaching the kids to be a pitcher? Maybe contracting some hitters to come in to help with fear of throwing inside, fear of leftys, ect.. I feel that instructors should take time out to go see their students in a live game every once in a while also. Parents pay good and alot of money for these lessons. Private instruction is teaching your kids to hit and pitch but is it making them into a hitter or pitcher??

 

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Private instruction can be good or bad, depends on what she's learning and if it is helping her understand and improve. If you have a good instuctor than it is invaluable. If you have someone who doesn't know what they are doing then yes, it is a crock.

 

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My dd goes to "private" hitting lessons and I for one believe in them. Her shoulder used to fly open early, mechanics were OK beyond that but not what they should've been. Now she stays down on the ball, extends , hits with power, and for numbers. Her hitting instructor not only teaches her that but he also only charges 25$ an hour, and usually goes 1 1/2 sometimes 2 hours for the same price! He's made a world of difference. But I also should say that if a girl doesn't want it, private or not isn't going to help her. They've got to have that drive or fire or whatever it is inside them that wills them to want to get better, stronger, faster, and mentally ready for travel(or school) ball.

 

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If you could see my daughter batting prior to getting hitting lessons it would make anyone a believer !! Some awsome instructors can break things down for the student to understand using a many tools and techniques that "OLD" dad here would never know to do. I think most instructors do it for the love of the game way over the $$ factor.

 

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I would say no it's not a crock, as long as the parents do their research on instructors prior to choosing one. As Klump and Larry both eluded to, as parents we have to find the right instructor, buy into what they teach, and they have to have a rapport with your dd. My dd is a pitcher, and I am glad we chose the instructor we did. She not only teaches my dd but pushes her to be better.

Merely an opinion here, but from the standpoint of pitching, I feel there is a mental toughness that can't be taught. It has to be learned from being in live game situations and how a girl responds to being in those situations. Instructors can teach mechanics, working on location, and run through scenarios which may present themselves during games but there is nothing like a kid being tested during an actual game.

 

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I like these comments.. but shouldnt the instructors come to games once in a while to see their teachings in action? It would also make the instructor see exactly what needs to be worked on in their sessions together.. Also, getting hitters to come to pitching lessons, pitchers to come to hitting lessons can make for better sessions also. More inportant to have pitchers at hitting lessons because there is no way to mimic the windmill other than a pitcher on the rubber. My gf does pitching lessons, We are going to team up our lessons with the proper age groups. When she has a 12u pitcher, I will bring 2 of my 12u hitters. I think private instruction is great but I worry whose in it for the money even though what they have to offer is great at the end of the session they dont care about the student or wont go watch the kid preform to make them the best they can be.

 

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I think that most good instructors will try to see there students if they can. Sometimes it is just not possible logistically.

My DD goes to pitching lessons and I would not want her working against hitters. I would rather my daughter concentrate on learning her form, hitting her spots, and developing her pitches rather than worry about "getting her out". The mindset is different once there is a batter in the box and I would rather the instructor get her prepared for that battle. I can use practice time to get my pitchers and hitters game experience.

 

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I agree with Scott. At $50 an hour for pitching lessons, I want my dd concentrating on form, mechanics and learning pitches....not throwing batting practice. I would want one-on-one work on things that need fixed or improved. They can get the mound work in practice, scrimmages and games. Although throwing batting practice other than at lessons is a great idea.

 

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I think not. However, it can be if one is not careful. I utilize private lessons by going to one or two a year with my daughter and son, while watching and studying closely what the instructor is teaching, and what he or she is pointing out to be bad habits. Taking this I utilize the drills they suggest or supplement with my own and then practice at home or at the indoor facility. Bottom line, if the parents or player take it seriously and practice it at home it can make a HUGE difference. If they do not, well.....yes, it can be a CROCK.

 

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Scott and Klump... Why not do both?? While my gf works on locations and pitches with her pitchers, I work on different things with hitters on spins of each pitch..ect. Say the hitter is right handed and Tam is having her pitcher throw to the outside corner with her pitcher.. We can both work on form as I work on form with the hitter driving the ball the other way.

 

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Private instruction is vital. One on one pitching instruction is so important to a pitchers overall development. Same goes for hitting as there are many tee drills that need to be worked on so that the swing is brought to a game with success. At the professional level, tee work is paramount I.e. jeter and pujols!!! They get more than enough live hitting and pitching in games whether it be a scrimmage or actual tourney play. Basics need to be worked on and replicated regardless of age !!! We have many really good and Qualified hitting and pitching instructors across the state!!!! I've seen what many have produced over the years as my older daughter played and now I am seeing the same as my 11u is playing. Also, the lessons are enhanced by mom or dad working on what is being taught regularly. Again, that is done one on one. A good story to this, there is a very successful college player from ohio that is a great hitter and continues to tear it up in college. My older daughter played against her. One of the best swings I've ever seen!!! Flash forward, I watch a young 12u swing in Akron canton recently and her swing is darn near identical with great results!! She goes to that older players coach for lessons, which may be her dad!!! So yes private instruction is great. Hats off to all the wonderful hitting and pitching coaches we have across the state !!! Btw, my daughter takes one on one lessons for pitching and he attends his pitchers games.

 

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Scott and Klump... Why not do both?? While my gf works on locations and pitches with her pitchers, I work on different things with hitters on spins of each pitch..ect. Say the hitter is right handed and Tam is having her pitcher throw to the outside corner with her pitcher.. We can both work on form as I work on form with the hitter driving the ball the other way.

The problem I see with that is as you are teaching your hitter to drive that outside pitch the other way, your pitcher who is learning how to hit spots threw three strikes on the inside corner that were not swung at. Pitcher was overthrowing trying not to get "hit hard" and the batter is trying to drive the other way but cannot get the pitch needed to work on that skill. I just personally see more down side and wasted time trying to get everything alligned to work on that specific skill.

 

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I think there is value to players that get some type of instruction either private or group. I feel most players get more out of "private" instruction as opposed to group instruction especially at the older ages when the player is fine tuning their skills but understand parents need to stretch their dollar and group instruction is a better budget fit. We all know there are instructors/coaches that continue to learn themselves looking for additional instructional delivery methods to keep it fresh and those that go through the motions so doing ones homework in researching potential instructors is key. Another area to consider is player commitment. I have seen players over the years go to private instructors and not do the "at home work" they need too in order to get measureable gains in their ability then they switch instructors expecting different results. As far as having pitchers pitch to batters during their instruction I would not do it. Sit behind a screen a few feet away and the instructor can deliver pitches in the location they want to work on more consistently. Another thing to help the hitter (after they have mastered the mechanics) is have them watch pitching instructional videos. The good videos use slow motion on stride, release and finish that the player can use to help ID the pitch. This also works when scouting competition...A lot of the better pitchers have college skills videos that can be used to ID pre pitch habits for the various pitches. Again, just another tool to use. Sometimes the instructor is also coach and gets an opportunity to see students at events they are participating in but; a lot of instructors have multiple students from a wide range of ages and locations so it is not practical for the instructor to attend player games on a consistent bases.

 

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I would agree with those who have stated that instructors just do not have time to attend a game. As for having batters during pitching lessons and pitchers during hitting lessons, I don't believe it's a good idea. I only see it as being more of a convenience for the instructors. If you want to have a batter work on taking an outside pitch to right field and your pitchers to work on location, those are things if being done at the same time should be done during practice in an environment as a coach you control. As previously stated, pitching lessons should be for mechanics, location, and development/learning new pitches. At 12u, I prefer my dd work on what she needs to focus on. I feel it would ultimately be more of a distraction for hitter or pitcher to have the extra breaks while trying to work through a joint lesson.

 

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Great topic, my DD had both hitting and pitching and helped her a lot, only issues I see and this is just my opinion is that I believe player spend to much time with instructors and there mechanics and not enough time learning the entire game, base running and just knowing defensive situations just as examples

 

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I feel that instructors should take time out to go see their students in a live game every once in a while also. Parents pay good and alot of money for these lessons.

i think this makes the difference between an instructor doing it for money or love of game. Both types of instructors will be motivated for the physical improvement, the money Motivated instructor wants you to come back!
However, a good self motivated player, or one with strong support/ encouragement from home will strive in either situation. So as parents, our actions our the biggest influence!

 

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So true, our DD does better during a game than at a lesson. While some pitchers are fast and accurate during lessons or warm-ups, they may slow down with a batter in the box and not handle the mental piece well if the batter is a lefty or the ump is calling a very tight strike zone. DD starts a game a little shaky the first inning but rapidly improves after figuring out the ump, the batters, and finding her own mental zone; speed and accuracy improve and she is generally able to get herself out of sticky situations. Those are things that a private instructor can only see during games so girls need to discuss them as part of their lessons if the instructor can't make it to games.

 

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Scott and Klump... Why not do both?? While my gf works on locations and pitches with her pitchers, I work on different things with hitters on spins of each pitch..ect. Say the hitter is right handed and Tam is having her pitcher throw to the outside corner with her pitcher.. We can both work on form as I work on form with the hitter driving the ball the other way.

My dd is a pitcher and she takes regular lessons. I don't believe she can focus on fixing her mechanics and form and learning new pitches when there is a batter in the box. Not to mention I'd hate to be the batter in the box when she is tweaking things and learning new pitches...she works on her form not her location and someone could get hurt. Hitting her spots is for practice, not necessarily for lessons.

Hitting lessons should focus more on mechanics, tee-work and drills in so when they get in the box, they don't have to think about anything but hitting the ball. Repitition of the proper mechanics is more important in lessons than live hitting. This is not at all a shot at you.....just my own opinion.

 

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I cant speak for the pitching end of instruction but if there is any doubt about the difference private instruction makes in today's hitting game all you have to do is remember what fast pitch was 10 to 15 years ago. For those of us that have been around the game that long, at one time the sport was a pitcher catcher game, the offense was dominated by small ball. Today there are kids that can rip the hip and drive the ball. As more baseball type swings are taught the hitters have become better.

You can as an instructor teach pitch selection to a hitter without a pitcher that can be done easily enough by setting 10 to 15 foot from the batter throwing front toss. The speed is relative to what a pitch would be. That close they have very little reaction time and learn when and where to pull the trigger.

Watching your students play is a blessing and a curse. There are times when your presence gives a kid confidence and they swat the ball there are also times they try to hard to do well in front of their teachers and lock up. I have seen it both ways

Mechanics are enforced and taught with an instructor, the practical application is preformed by the student in games. Once those mechanics are enforced enough they become second nature and then can be used to do what they are supposed to do.

My suggestion is this to anyone that doubts what kids can accomplish with the right instructor. Stop going to your instructor stop paying and spend all that money on the high dollar bat. The pitchers that are going to their instructors and working 5 days a week love it when a kid comes to the plate with a 300 dollar bat and a 5 dollar swing. As this game becomes more explosive and exciting the more better athletes will play it and they will seek proper hitting and pitching instruction. Those same athletes will be competing for playing time and scholarships with your dd.

From my point of view as a Hitting instructor I hope the majority remain either clueless or stubborn on the point of taking instruction. Its that much easier for my kids to excel, get that playing time and achieve that scholly if that is their dream.


Tim

 

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Private hitting instructors are essential to the success of a travel team, especially when players are far flung geographically. If I know one of my players is seeing an instructor I stay in contact with them and relay the tendencies I am seeing in games. Our local hitting instructor, Aaron Hall has made it out to some games and agrees that seeing the players in game action is extremely helpful for his lessons.

As far as working on pitch selection, we do it two ways. I will sit on a bucket behind a screen 25' in front of the hitter with two laundry baskets full of softballs and simulate game situations. I can wing them pretty hard, mix in change ups, mix up locations, whatever. You can get a lot of work in a lot less time this way than working with live pitchers. I see other hitting instructors do this as well.

Then we also have our hitters work against our live pitchers and catchers on nights where I can get 4-6 kids to the cage. These are not private lessons however but voluntary team workouts.