Neither is better for everyone. Private lessons are best when a player needs to fix a specific problem or wants a plan built around personal goals. Group clinics are best for lots of reps, game situations and learning alongside teammates. Many athletes get the most progress by combining the two.
Below we compare them side by side so you can pick the right fit. For more on how our 1-on-1 sessions work, see our page on private baseball lessons with Coach Cinz.
Private lessons: what they do best
A private lesson is 30 minutes of 1-on-1 time. Every rep gets watched, and the coach adjusts in real time.
- Targeted fixes. A hitch in the swing, a timing problem, inconsistent throws: private lessons zero in on the issue.
- A personal plan. With Coach Cinz, lessons follow a plan built from the athlete’s goals and measured starting point.
- Any skill. Hitting, pitching, infield, catching and more, in person in Chicagoland or virtual.
- Pace that fits the player. Great for kids who learn differently or need extra explanation.
Cost: $65 per 30-minute lesson, or $45 with a membership, which saves $20 on every lesson with no limit.
Group clinics: what they do best
Our clinics are 1.5-hour sessions focused on one skill area:
- Hitting Clinic: swing technique.
- Pitching Clinic: balance, break and dangle, stride, arm action and follow-through, starting with partner throws and moving to the mound, plus a video breakdown of pitching mechanics.
- Fielding Clinic: the 6 F’s of a great infielder (Feet, Field, Funnel, Footwork, Fire, Follow), drills, live action off the bat, then situational plays.
Clinics give players more total reps, a longer session and the chance to react to live, game-like situations. Many kids also enjoy the energy of training with others.
Cost: $204 per 1.5-hour clinic, with a group option priced at three times the individual rate. We also run Skills Clinics during the year.
Side-by-side comparison
- Attention: private lessons offer full 1-on-1 attention; clinics share the coach’s focus.
- Session length: private lessons are 30-minute blocks (book several for longer); clinics run 1.5 hours.
- Best for: private lessons fix specific problems; clinics build reps, game sense and fundamentals.
- Game situations: clinics shine here, especially the situational plays in the Fielding Clinic.
- Personal plan: private lessons are built around individual goals from the Benchmark Process.
Which should you choose?
Choose private lessons if…
- Your player keeps running into the same problem.
- They have a specific goal, like making a travel team or earning innings on the mound.
- They need a different explanation or a slower pace than a group allows.
- A tryout is coming up. See our guide on how to prepare for travel baseball tryouts.
Choose a clinic if…
- Your player is building fundamentals and needs lots of reps.
- They learn well by watching and competing with others.
- You want to focus on one skill area in a longer session.
Use both if…
Your athlete is serious about improving. A common approach is a clinic to build a skill area, then private lessons to fine-tune what the clinic uncovered. The clinic shows where a player stands among peers; the lesson fixes what is holding them back.
What about cost?
Per minute of coaching, a clinic covers more time. Per minute of individual attention, a private lesson gives more. The right choice depends on what your player needs right now. For the full breakdown of every price and the membership saving, read how much private baseball lessons cost. And if you are deciding for a younger player, see are private baseball lessons worth it for kids.
Looking for more on our clinic schedule? Visit our baseball camps and clinics page.
Where both options happen
Clinics and off-season private lessons are held indoors at The Play & Thrive Club Naperville, 808 Illinois Rte 59 #120, Naperville, IL 60564, which also keeps training going on rainy days. Private lessons can also take place at a location of your choice within Chicagoland, such as your home field. We serve most areas from Chicago to Aurora, including Naperville, Plainfield, Bolingbrook, Wheaton and Oswego.
Start with a plan, not a guess
The free Benchmark Process takes the guesswork out. Your athlete shares their goals online, current metrics are measured with Coach Cinz, and you get a plan that says whether private lessons, clinics or both make sense. Read more about our private baseball lessons, or start your free Benchmark.
