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In my entire coaching career I am always asked, "When should I start lessons for my athlete?" This answer is simply complex, when the athlete is ready! McFadden Sports Performance is in the business of advancing anyone's career. The downfall is if you are not using the tools you are shown, why pay for lessons? Before becoming a coach, I was a player. Playing Little League in my small town of Stickney, or travel ball for the Lemont Rockers, many moons ago. Throughout my career my parents were fortunate enough to seek out instructors to help me develop as a player and mainly as a pitcher. Whether it was camps, clinics, or one on one lessons I went to them all. There were not many opportunities to have lessons near me, so I had to venture to other areas. Sometimes opportunities were within state lines or some were further out. Within every opportunity, I took something from that instructor. Whether it was the way my weight should be back in a throw or the way I finished my pitch. Each instructor had something constructive for me. The point is I ALWAYS used skills they taught me and placed those to good use. I would practice and see if those worked. If it did great, if not I had to try another approach. I did not take what someone was teaching me for granted. Going to a clinic, camp or a lesson you need to make sure your athlete understands and ASKS QUESTIONS. Your instructor will not be at every game, at every practice, but the athlete needs to know how to handle a tough situation. Does not matter the age, a player can always zone in on their craft. Now the mind set will be different between a 6 year old and a 16 year old, but the passion might be the same. Practice on different techniques will help an athlete advance at any stage. Remember, this is always a process and will take time. At an early age or just starting out, clinics and camps will help introduce an athlete in a sport. I always recommend parents to start here. Once they know for sure this is for them, then start investing in semi private or one on one instruction. Private group lessons are a great way to meet new friends and also help feel competitive within a lesson. If your athlete is not practicing at home what they are learning from the lesson, stop pushing. Whether the work is 5 minutes a day or an hour. Make sure they are doing more than just the lesson. Hope this helps answer your question. If not please feel free to contact MSP and we would be happy to help.