My kid is the absolute worst kid on his basketball team. He has always been the worst kid on his basketball team. I would wager a very large sum of money he always will be the worst. But it gets him active and moving, and he's more skilled and more fit than he would be, without that practice.

I don't do private lessons, but I have signed him up for various group things.

Anonymous wrote:I think it is. There is a lot of confidence and fun to be derived from team sports. If it is not a financial stretch for you, why would you stop?

+1

And adding on if they still enjoy it, its totally worth the investment. Anything to keep kids active, social and off screens is a win win win!

Anonymous wrote:I have my kids in a private lesson for their position in their sport. It's highly specialized but also a position you can be decent at (certainly good enough for rec) with just sheer repetition and determination. Without the private lessons it's way too easy to do it wrong.

I require them to do extra practice on their own outside of team practice and lessons in order to continue the lessons. If they aren't the ones dragging me out to help them practice, they aren't invested enough for lessons.

If it was less specialized, we could possibly get away with YouTube drills.

Can you share the position or sport and least? I’m just curious. To answer OP’s question I think it’s fine if your kid likes it and it doesn’t hurt the budget or schedule. I put mine in private swim lessons even though he isn’t even on a team because he was really working hard at group and really wanted to progress to the next level. It just didn’t click until he got one-on-one support. Now that he progressed, he’s back to group lessons only. He is so pumped to go every single week because his work paid off. He’s not a top swimmer but he’s now interested in joining a team.

I have my kids in a private lesson for their position in their sport. It's highly specialized but also a position you can be decent at (certainly good enough for rec) with just sheer repetition and determination. Without the private lessons it's way too easy to do it wrong.

I require them to do extra practice on their own outside of team practice and lessons in order to continue the lessons. If they aren't the ones dragging me out to help them practice, they aren't invested enough for lessons.

If it was less specialized, we could possibly get away with YouTube drills.

Weekends you could do the privates on the low

Skill clinics and group lessons, sure. But private lessons seem unnecessary, unless you have unlimited funds. Average rec player is fine, especially if they’re having fun and don’t want more.

If they are willing, I would do it. Why not?

We support our kids’ interests because we support our kids. Not for college admissions or possible scholarships or a shot at stardom. Because we think a full life includes rec sports, amateur musical groups, hobbies, etc.

The goal should be to help them have fun. If they have fun seeing themselves improve, and group lessons, skill clinics, etc. help them improve and thus have fun, then it's worth it.

They might turn out to be superstars someday. Who knows?

I think it is. There is a lot of confidence and fun to be derived from team sports. If it is not a financial stretch for you, why would you stop?

My kid is below average or average on some sports. If I spend money on group lessons, skill clinics or private lessons, they can catch up to peers to play average level at the recreational team. It is sad to hear that, but that is whst it takes to be able to play average at the recreational team sport. I am talking about soccer and basketball. Is it worth the money, effort and time? One kid is in lower ES grade and one is in upper ES grade. They have fun at these two sports, and they never want to play more than recreational level or school teams. They enjoy it when they see themselves making improvement. If I do not pay for outside lessons, the recreational teammates may not even want them to be on their team.