So you know that your son or daughter needs or wants to get supplemental help with their hitting. But how do you know that the coaches you have heard about or found are going to give your player what they need, and be the right fit overall?
Looking back on my career, I had 4 different private hitting coaches who helped me in various ways. I got my first hitting coach when I was about 12 (we started later back then!), and she was a great "beginner" coach for me. But as my skill level and needs progressed, I moved on to a different coach who could really help refine my swing. Eventually I landed on competitive travel ball teams, where I had access to some incredible coaches who helped me with slapping, power, and everything else in between.
My parents had to learn as they went, and not being softball or baseball players themselves, had to rely on their gut and word of mouth to find the best coaches for me. Going with your gut and listening to what others recommend are actually great ways to go about a lot of things in life! But there are other things to consider, things that are probably factoring into your "gut" reaction whether you realize it or not. And then there are things you might not necessarily know to evaluate.
Let’s jump right to the most important thing: Putting Mechanics into Action.
Putting mechanics into action
The most important things to look for in a hitting coach is their ability to translate what they are seeing into actionable instructions for YOUR player. I have always thought of it as translating "mechanics into action", but this article from the Hitting Vault illustrates exactly what that really means in terms of internal vs. external focus.
Especially for youth players, this is absolutely crucial. I myself am still learning how to break down mechanics into specific instructions for external actions when working with my son. For instance, I would instruct him to "stay closed longer" or "don't open your hips too soon". As a player, I was able to say these things to myself and get results, but it just wasn't translating for my 10-year-old son. He needed to hear where his belt buckle or back pocket should be pointing at certain points in his swing. And thankfully we found a coach who is brilliant at analyzing his swing and telling him what he needs to do to adjust.
So, in addition to this (invaluable) skill of being able to give a player specific positive actions to take to get results, here are some other things that parents should consider when selecting a hitting coach:
Your player's ability/age
Do you really need the most senior MLB-level coach to get your 8-year-old on track with hitting? Do they need more basic instructions that a more "beginner" coach might still be able to deliver just as well if not better? Or is your advancing player ready for more refined instruction?
Coach's connection
Does the coach have the right fun/serious balance for YOUR kid? Are they patient? Does your player respond to the coach's instruction? Do they coach with positivity vs. fear or intimidation?
Price
Most of us have a budget we need to stick to, even if we have consciously made the decision to invest in our player's instruction and sports future. It is responsible to know that good coaches should get paid appropriately. However, you should also not feel bad if you want to start out with a more budget-friendly option. Even the most expensive coach may not be right for YOUR kid.
Convenience
It may be worth driving two hours to a great coach, but having someone closer and easier to get to on a regular basis is likely a better choice for your family. With 2 kids in sports, working full time, and many other life responsibilities, I know the importance of needing to consider convenience and practicality.
Networking
Does this coach have connections with travel or high school teams? Could they potentially connect your player with a team that would help them in their playing career later? Are they connecting with other coaches to stay up-to-date with the latest developments with coaching techniques, technology, and landscape of the local leagues and teams that your player plays in?
Fundamentals
Seems obvious, and this is actually right up there with being able to put mechanics into action. A coach needs to know the basics! A good coach will know how to not only give instructions on small movement changes, but will have an understanding (and should be able to communicate) why those changes are necessary, what they will do, and how they relate to the fundamentals of an effective swing.
Tools
Do they have access to training tools outside of just a pitching machine and a cage? I'm not necessarily talking about high-tech video analysis technology (although that can be great), but things like medicine balls, tees, stretching bands, or other training tools to help your player develop strength or range of motion to help with their swing. You don't want a coach who relies completely on some outside technology. It is just a gimmick in that case. However, when they are able to incorporate tools into the lessons and workouts in a complementary way, it can help with some of the finer adjustments your hitter needs.
Measurable improvement
You will want to see some kind of measurable improvement. And while big improvements will take time, it's also fair to expect some noticeable changes right away. A lot can be measured just by watching your player- are they making better connection? Swinging at better pitches? Hitting it farther? It's a process, but a great coach can tweak one thing and help your player a ton.
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