Is my son ready for a private instuctor, or not?

[jbolt_2000]

Hi All,

I was reading some posts about instructor fees and such, and started thinking about my own son and how we both talked about taking him to a private instructor.

I believe I am fairly knowledgeable about the game and techniques (of course still learning) and I think that I have taught my son quite well. My son is 10 years old and he knows more about the mechanics and techniques of playing than most kids his age (I think). But his athleticism just isn't there. It's possible that perhaps he is just thinking too much and not reacting. He can tell you exactly how to handle a ground ball hit to him, how to field it, show you correct footwork, etc. but when its time to do it he is slow to react, like he is thinking out every step. Same with hitting and pitching and catching.

He is not the best player on the team by any means, but I believe he does have that potential if it can become natural for him and not robotic.

So, my son and I have identified this in the past and he has expressed interest into seeing a private instructor in our area. I am not against this idea at all, but I am afraid that they may not be able to help with the athleticism part of it. I am all for learning new ways to play to enhance performance, but it doesn't mean anything if you can't do it on the field.

So my question is, do these private instructors (I know they are all different, but on average) work on the athleticism aspect as well, or just the mechanics? Can they help (would you be able a kid like this?) in these types of situations?

Aside from mechanics and technique, what do these instructors work on?

Is my son destined to be a coach instead of a player?

[PhilliesPhan22]

his athleticism just isn't there.

I think you answered your own question right there. You can't teach athleticism, believe me, I know. However, if you have the money and your son has the drive to learn, why not hire an instructor.

[Coach45]

JB,

I disagree with PhilliesFan. Often youngsters don't move athletically because no one has taught them. I've seen changes with enough young students who look slow and mechanical in the beginning who then quickly become adept at moving well to know that there is much room for improvement. I teach pitching and throwing. Footwork and glovework are substantial keys because they determine what happens next in the sequence. Simple adjustments to these two items alone can pay huge dividends. With students I get them doing fundamental skills solidly and then gradually pick up the pace and really get them moving. Without the footwork and glovework, coupled with correct arm path and body rotation, they're not going to get it regardless of how long and hard they work.

Go in and watch different instructors work with youngsters your son's age. If they don't teach students to move it's probably not a good fit for you. But they most likely won't work on everything in a single lesson. It's a progression that takes time.

[jbolt_2000]

I think you answered your own question right there. You can't teach athleticism, believe me, I know. However, if you have the money and your son has the drive to learn, why not hire an instructor.

But can an instructor teach the child to make it more natural? My son is athletic, it just doesn't come as natural as some other kids. Its just a little robotic, it seems.

Can an instructor fix this or is this just something he will eventually grow into?

[jbolt_2000]

JB,

I disagree with PhilliesFan. Often youngsters don't move athletically because no one has taught them. I've seen changes with enough young students who look slow and mechanical in the beginning who then quickly become adept at moving well to know that there is much room for improvement. I teach pitching and throwing. Footwork and glovework are substantial keys because they determine what happens next in the sequence. Simple adjustments to these two items alone can pay huge dividends. With students I get them doing fundamental skills solidly and then gradually pick up the pace and really get them moving. Without the footwork and glovework, coupled with correct arm path and body rotation, they're not going to get it regardless of how long and hard they work.

Go in and watch different instructors work with youngsters your son's age. If they don't teach students to move it's probably not a good fit for you. But they most likely won't work on everything in a single lesson. It's a progression that takes time.

If we do it, it will definitely be a long term commitment. I understand that it won't get fixed with one session. That is why I want to make sure it is something that can be taught, so I don't waste my money or my sons time.

[TG Coach]

I wouldn't waste money on ten year old athletic training. I'd tell him to go out and chase the cat round the yard. Tell him to climb a tree. Take away an XBox, shove a kid out the door and watch how athletic he gets not sitting on his rear doing thumb presses on his XBox.

[jbolt_2000]

I wouldn't waste money on ten year old athletic training. I'd tell him to go out and chase the cat round the yard. Tell him to climb a tree. Take away an XBox, shove a kid out the door and watch how athletic he gets not sitting on his rear doing thumb presses on his XBox.

That's definitely been an option I have been considering as well

[Coach45]

Another option is for you to learn enough that you can teach him, even if it means keeping only one step ahead of your boy! There's nothing better than dads and sons working together having fun learning. When I'm giving lessons I like nothing better than having dad in there with us so they can keep working on things together.

[PhilliesPhan22]

Another option is for you to learn enough that you can teach him, even if it means keeping only one step ahead of your boy! There's nothing better than dads and sons working together having fun learning. When I'm giving lessons I like nothing better than having dad in there with us so they can keep working on things together.

Fathers underestimate how much their sons watch and learn from them. My wife isn't due til November, but it is something that is always on my mind.

[jbolt_2000]

Another option is for you to learn enough that you can teach him, even if it means keeping only one step ahead of your boy! There's nothing better than dads and sons working together having fun learning. When I'm giving lessons I like nothing better than having dad in there with us so they can keep working on things together.

Thats a very good point. I would love to learn for myself, but I dont know how well that is taken by instructors. YOu said you like it when the dad is there.

Is this normal? I would love to sit back and watch the instructor teach and then I am learning at the same time and we can practice at home or with the team the same lessons.

[BallCoach06]

I agree with the other posters. When parents ask me about instruction, I usually tell them it depends on the player. Some kids come to me ready at age 10 or 11 and others a few years older.

By "ready", I mean the kid has an understanding of what "he" wants to improve and really wants to put the time in to work on his game. So, many times I have kids brought to me by parents, and two minutes into talking with the kid and parent, I can tell usually tell who is driving the kid to improve (hint: the kid could really care less).

As far as athleticism, when I work with infielders and catchers, about half of the 45-60 minute lesson is done without a glove on. We spend time working on drills to quicken the feet, increase hand quickness, develop hand/eye coordination, etc. Then we put the glove on and work from there. So, it can and should be taught right along with the actual fielding fundamentals.

As already mentioned, every player is different in athletic ability, but I feel everyone can improve athletically and fundamentally with work and effort. It just might be at different levels when comparing one player to another.

[CoachHenry]

That's definitely been an option I have been considering as well

Depending on the kid and the program, and three times a weeks sports trainer using plyometrics. Your kid might not be old enough for this to have a large impact but again he might. Kids at that age vary so much. However what it will do is teach him to move explosively. That in itself might be what you are looking for.

Beware of foo-foo programs that don't do much. You want an intensive program with plenty of personal attention. One of the programs here won't take a kid unless they think they can help him or her out by way of age or attitude.

[Coach45]

Thats a very good point. I would love to learn for myself, but I dont know how well that is taken by instructors. You said you like it when the dad is there.

Is this normal? I would love to sit back and watch the instructor teach and then I am learning at the same time and we can practice at home or with the team the same lessons.

From 25 years of observations watching coaches and instructors I think many are reluctant to include dads for a host of reasons. Some are insecure, some don't wish to be under a microscope, and sometimes parents DO get in the way. Part of my specific agenda as an instructor is to encourage fathers to spend time with their boy. When I get both dad and son together it's also an opportunity to come alongside dad and help him learn how to relate to his son. Many times I see fathers that push much too hard, become too critical very quickly, etc. Gently, as I build relationships with people, it usually provides opportunity for conversation about these things.

Recent example: I'm working with a fairly new 9 y/o student and dad is in the cage with us. Junior is having trouble controlling the ball. Dad (catching him) snaps at the boy to throw strikes. There's a reason he's not throwing strikes: he hasn't mastered skills yet. It's not because the boy doesn't want to control the ball, he's in the process of learning, and he's nine years old. Gave me a chance during the session to teach by example and afterward talk with dad and tell him that control will come with mastery, not simply because he tells Junior. My expectations for my students are incredibly high...and they're also very real.

It's also helpful that they see me still working alongside my son and see how I relate to him. To me this is what baseball is really all about.

[dmullen]

First, I'd say - turn off the TV & the xbox and get them outside doing something else besides just baseball. I didn't do this with my son - while he has talent his athletic abilities have atrophied. Most of the good athletes have confidence in their skills and know they can compete. This would be the first thing I did before starting lessons at 10 yo. Motor skills are pretty important - coordination & core strength etc. - but most 10 yo aren't going to want to do pylometrics, stability ball work, medicine ball work & take a whole bunch of BP, etc. - but they do like to compete against their friends and lacking any available friends in the neighborhood their father.

My son is now 14 yo and pitches for the HS team - last year was his first year of any sustained lessons. We went this way because - for some reason this teenager doesn't really believe anything dad tells him - but he sure does listen to the instructor (D-1 player and former AAA). What he doesn't know is dear old dad talks to the instructor off-line and feeds him information about attitude, performance, etc.

During the lessons the instructor says things load & clear so Dad and son can hear them and understand them. When we work outside the lesson - son hears dad say the same as the instructor. Also if son doesn't want to work outside of lesson - we cancel the next lesson. I wouldn't do lessons if the instructor didn't want me around or if the instructor wasn't interested in the kid's attitude.

[CoachHenry]

I agree that some kids don't want to do the plymetrics and such, and it might be too young to turn sports into a chore, etc. So you have to know your kid and all that.