To get the most out of a baseball clinic, arrive with one clear goal, give full effort on every rep, ask the coach why a change works, and write down the cues you are given. Then keep practising those cues at home in the days after. The clinic starts the change; the follow-through makes it stick.
Coach Cinz runs Hitting, Pitching and Fielding Clinics as part of our baseball camps and clinics in Naperville. Here is how players and parents can turn 90 minutes into real progress.
Before the clinic
1. Pick one goal
Players who try to fix everything usually fix nothing. Choose one thing: making more solid contact, throwing more strikes, or getting the glove down on ground balls. Tell the coach at check-in. Coach Cinz focuses on the athlete’s goals first, so a clear goal shapes the feedback your player gets.
2. Know your starting point
It helps to know where your player stands. The free Benchmark Process asks goal questions online, then measures current metrics with the coach. A player who knows their starting point can see progress, which builds confidence.
3. Pack and arrive ready
Use our checklist of what to bring to a baseball clinic or camp, eat a light meal beforehand and arrive a few minutes early.
During the clinic
4. Ask why
Parents often say in reviews that Coach Cinz explains the “why” behind each adjustment. Players should take advantage of that. Understanding why a change works makes it much easier to repeat when the coach is not there.
5. Quality over quantity
A clinic gives lots of reps, but the value is in doing each one on purpose. Before every rep, think of the cue. After every rep, notice what it felt like.
6. Embrace feeling awkward
A new movement often feels strange and may even make results worse for a few swings or throws. That is normal. The mental game matters here: staying confident and consistent while the body learns.
Tips for each clinic
Hitting Clinic
Focus on timing. Great mechanics only pay off if the swing starts at the right moment. Listen for cues about when to load and how to see the ball early. For more individual swing work, see our baseball hitting lessons.
Pitching Clinic
Work through balance, break and dangle, stride, arm action and follow-through in order. Study the video breakdown of your mechanics and pick one piece to own. Respect your arm: follow the MLB and USA Baseball Pitch Smart guidelines, rest a sore arm, and see a doctor or athletic trainer for any pain.
Fielding Clinic
Memorise the 6 F’s of a great infielder: Feet, Field, Funnel, Footwork, Fire and Follow. Say them in your head on every ground ball until they become automatic, then apply them in situational plays.
After the clinic
7. Write down two cues
On the drive home, write down the two most useful things the coach said. Short phrases work best.
8. Practise little and often
A simple home routine keeps the change alive:
- Warm up properly before any throwing or swinging.
- Do the main clinic drill slowly for a few minutes, focusing on the cue.
- Repeat it at game speed.
- Finish with a few reps where you only think about the result.
Short sessions several times a week usually beat one long session.
9. Get a check-in
After a week or two of practice, a quick check helps catch drift. A $35 Video Analysis lets your player submit a video of a skill and get drills back. A Private Lesson ($65 for 30 minutes) is ideal for locking in the fix one-on-one.
Should a 12 year old baseball player do drills on the off season?
Yes, in moderation. The off-season is a good time for a 12-year-old to clean up mechanics and timing without game pressure, and the cues from a clinic give those drills a clear purpose. Keep home sessions short, a few times a week, and leave room for other sports and real rest. Give the throwing arm a genuine break from heavy throwing, follow the MLB and USA Baseball Pitch Smart guidelines, and see a doctor or athletic trainer for any arm pain. The aim is steady progress and a fresh, motivated player when the season starts, not burnout.
A note for parents
Your role after a clinic is encouragement, not correction. Ask your player to show you what they learned and to explain the cue in their own words. If they can teach it, they understand it. Praise effort and consistency more than results in the first few weeks.
Keep building
One clinic is a strong start, but progress comes from a plan. Want a picture of the whole session? Read what happens at a baseball skills clinic. If you are deciding what comes next, see clinic vs camp vs private lessons.
See upcoming Skills Clinics and every format on our Naperville baseball clinics page, or start the free Benchmark Process to get a plan built around your athlete’s goals.
