What Constitutes A Great Lesson For Us Coaches

Ken B said:

I really appreciate it when parents/coaches learn with the kids. Occasionally I see a parent off to the side, or even step around a corner to try something. I invite them to step in and work with them for a few minutes. When they can feel and learn what their kid is doing, it makes it so much easier for them to reinforce the key points. Especially the point that accuracy and speed by themselves are not the focus. When both the coach and parent are on board, it's much less likely to hear the dreaded, "Just slow it down and throw strikes." It feels really good to show up at a game and see the parents/coaches reinforcing mechanics and not pleading for strikes.

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A few months ago at the end of a lesson I took a parent to task for more or less checking out. Explained that she had to be part of the process if DD was to grow as a pitcher. Next lesson she brings iPad and asks lots of really great questions. That kid is now one of my best and will probably throw for my 18U team next summer.

I can't believe there are parents who drop kids off for pitching or hitting lessons. Well, I guess it would make sense for older kids maybe. But I've learned a ton from our pitching lessons and I'd have NO IDEA whether she were practicing correctly if I hadn't been there. If she forgets something and practices wrong all week she's not going to be able to improve. Seems strange. Then again, I'm a softball fanatic so...

I usually get DD to her hitting lesson early, play some catch or something to help her get warm, say hello to the coach, then leave for the first half, maybe a little longer. I come back before the end of the lesson and they fill me in on what they were working on and why. Well, he makes her tell me, and corrects her if she's not right on. I like it, because she has to verbalize the points of emphasis for the day, and tell me what he specifically wants her to work on during the week. She even demonstrates the drills for the week ahead. They evolve more than change. But, the point of emphasis migrates from one thing to the next.

I for one, think my DD gets more out of a lesson without me hovering around the entire time. Maybe I should ask her hitting coach what he thinks. I always just assumed he would rather have me leave for a while.

Talk about making me feel bad. I have gone to most of DD's lessons, but I still have no clue what they are talking about. It's not that I am not interested but I have to be in it to learn...and it's not about me, it's about DD. She has done well for herself so far...she retains the lessons well, and practice is all about working on key points brought up in lessons and then reinforcement. And yes, I have caught DD but it got to a point to where I couldn't because my reflexes suck.

Anyway, it's not fair to call out parents who don't learn with their DDs...some of us just don't receive the information as well as others. And with my hearing, it is especially difficult to absorb everything the instructor teaches...and I don't want to waste his valuable time teaching my DD by repeating himself over and over.


Not trying to rain on parade, I love reading the positive stories.

I miss a good bit too. I'm usually catching for mine and the instructor is down by her.

DD is our only child so it is easy for me to stay, I am impressed that some parents can even get their kid to practice let alone stay.

Mark, I didn't intend to call out any parents. I am stating that for me, the best instruction is instruction with both parent and player there. I do try to make sure that the parent knows what I am teaching as well as the player. I coach both. My goal is to have them not need me at all. I am not into having students stick around for a long time so I can make money. Besides, I won't go with these players to college but a parent and player with some resources/notes ... can still help that player out.

Per any advice I give on this site, please keep in mind that I am a nobody and so, I share what I do. It doesn't make it right. I hope that helps.

The intent of my sharing wasn't to call anyone out, but was an example of what can contribute to a good session. I've also had the mom/dad that I needed to ask to either step down, or step out.

If we're doing what we can as parents and our kids appreciate it by working hard and growing--can't ask for much more than that!

For me, I know that offering to sit in on my daughter's clarinet lessons so I can better help her during practice... Prolly not gonna be helpful!

I always offer to catch for DD's PC. One, because it's FUN ( )but also to let the PC get right next to DD, and to give her a break. She can go lesson after lesson and, even at 25, can be a grind. Last week she had a couple of twelve lesson days. Anything I can do to lessen her physical load, and put more quality time into DD, I do. At nine DD is a stud with similar speed to many of the PC's 12 year old students. But it is DD work ethic and love of taking instruction that seems to brighten her PC's day. Last Friday we had a 6pm lesson. Last lesson of the day for the PC, and she pushed it an extra half hour because DD was really getting into long toss and some other drills. Friday night, 25 years old, and she is hanging out after her lesson time to help a nine year old...Pretty much every lesson DD leaves more excited about pitching then when she came - and I think her PC knows it!

I have seen this older father who catches for his daughter. He isn't very skilled at catching and after a few trips to the hospital due to getting hit by the ball, he suits up in catchers gear and still catches for her. She is remarkably good and seems to really enjoy the time they spend together.