Baseball Lessons

Baseball lessons are expensive and risky.   You can waste a lot of money AND mess up your child with bad lessons.

This article gives you some fast, practical tips on how to choose an instructor, how to prepare for lessons, the attitude and techniques for getting the most out of each lesson, and what to do after each lesson to maximize learning.

How to Choose an Instructor
You typically get what you pay for.  Although many instructors are very good at teaching baseball and are bad business people, so you can get some good deals.

The biggest point for my money is for young players it is far more important to have a teacher your child likes and enjoys working with than it is to have the instructor be high-level skilled.
There's only so much a young player can learn any way, so much of the "great" instructor's knowledge is unused.
Again:  #1 Thing is to get an instructor that engages your son, that has a good "vibe," and that your child enjoys working with.
Studies of highly talented people show that most didn't have high end teachers in the early years, but they did have ones that made the youngsters feel good.  They "lit the flame" of joy and passion....
... they were not ruthless task masters.  
Otherwise, referrals are the best source for instructors, so ask around.
 
How to Prepare for a Lesson
First, do your homework. 
Whether you are a player or parent, do some reading on hitting or pitching or whatever your lessons are on.
Books are no substitute for in-person learning, but you want to go in with some basic ideas of what is good and bad technique and effective and ineffective teaching so you can engage the instructor intelligently.
As for physical preparation, be sure to arrive early and get your body warmed up.  Jog, stretch and throw before your lesson time so you can hit the ground running at the start of your lesson.
Mental preparation perhaps holds the biggest key to maximizing your lesson time.  Know what you want to work on before you step into the cage.  Know what you worked on last time at least!
Big one here:  Mentally prepare by imagining your ultimate goal in baseball.  What do you ant to have happen in your career?
See what you want, hear what you'll hear, and feel how great it will feel to reach your goal.  Then imagine that today's lesson holds a vital key to that dream coming true. 
Listen like your instructor is going to utter THE great tip that rockets you to success.  That's how you'll get the most out of the lesson.

During the Lesson
Actively listen.  That means every 10 minutes or so (whenever appropriate), repeat back to your instructor what you've heard him say.
"So you're saying that instead of X, I need to Y, like this," you might say.  That is nearly the only way you both can know you understand what he is teaching.
For sure do this at the end of the lesson.  Get clear on what you covered and what you should work on, by reviewing with your instructor before you leave.

After the Lesson
Record notes in a notebook.  You think you'll remember what the instructor said, but you won't.  Keeping  a baseball notebook gradually filled with your learnings and observations will be an invaluable tool as you progress in baseball.
Often players move up to the next level, be it high school, college, or the pros, and forget what they were doing at the lower level to be successful.
Lastly, imagine yourself succeeding in games using your new technique or learning.  See, hear, and feel what it will feel like to execute your instructor's teaches perfectly.
Our minds don't do a good job of recognizing what is real and what is imagined, so experiencing it in your mind and body -- from the comfort of your own bedroom or classroom, will dramatically speed your learning.
 
The Mental Game
Finally, be sure to ask for mental game tips.  Success is 80% psychology, so do not neglect this vital area.
Keeping these tips in mind will help you get the most bang for your baseball lessons buck.

Dr. Tom Hanson helps players, coaches and parents have more fun, perform great, and develop life success skills. His past clients include the New York Yankees, Texas Rangers, and many other pro and college teams and individuals. He co-authored the baseball classic "Heads-Up Baseball" and is giving away his #1 secret to baseball success at BaseballSuccessSecrets.com.