Private Lessons vs Group Training: What’s Best for Your Athlete?

When it comes to helping your child grow as an athlete, one of the biggest decisions parents face is whether to invest in private lessons or stick with group training. The truth? There’s no one-size-fits-all answer, but there is a right fit for your athlete, depending on their age, goals, and current development stage.

Different Ages, Different Needs

The type of training that will help an athlete most depends largely on where they are in their development.

For younger athletes, typically elementary through middle school, the focus should be on learning and solidifying the fundamentals. At this stage, group training is incredibly valuable. It builds foundational skills, exposes athletes to a wide range of movement patterns, and introduces the social and competitive aspects of sports.

For middle and high school athletes, it becomes about building on that foundation. They’re working to refine mechanics, handle higher game speeds, and gain the confidence needed to compete. That’s when a more tailored approach, like private or small-group sessions, can really make a difference, especially if they’ve hit a plateau or developed habits that are hard to shake on their own.

The Case for Private Training

Private or small-group lessons (usually 1–5 athletes) offer more individualized attention. The coach can stay locked in with the same group the entire session, allowing for quick correction of technique and faster progression.

Take one of my previous middle school athletes as an example, she was already skilled and worked hard on her own; but the game progressed while she was still in the process of growing. This required her to need to shoot from farther out. The first (and most natural) though was that she just needed to get stronger. In reality, it was a mechanics issue. After a few sessions, we tweaked her form and she began knocking down midrange shots more consistently, without having to muscle them up. That kind of targeted help is tough to get in a large group setting.

The Power of Group Training

That said, group training, especially in larger numbers, is one of the most underappreciated tools for development. Young athletes often benefit just by watching others perform skills and hearing how the coach gives feedback. It builds awareness and answers questions they didn’t know how to ask.

Group sessions also allow for live, competitive environments that you simply can't replicate in private lessons. When you’re guarding someone in a drill, or trying to outwork the player who starts ahead of you, you don’t just train, you grow. It pushes athletes past their comfort zone and builds real toughness.

What Most Parents Get Wrong

A lot of parents assume private sessions are the best path forward, even early on. But the reality is, most of the improvement in youth sports comes from mastering fundamentals and applying them in a dynamic setting. If your athlete is focused during group sessions and applies what they’ve learned with intention at home, they will absolutely improve.

My Recommendation by Age

Here’s a breakdown I use when recommending training types:

• 3rd–7th Grade:→ 80% Group / 20% Private (only if there's a specific issue)

• 8th Grade and Older:→ 70% Group / 30% Private

Private training only makes sense if the athlete is struggling with something specific and has already tried working on it at home. Otherwise, group training gives them the tools they need to improve, and gives them the competitive edge to apply it.

All of my athletes currently in the full Peak Performance Program are in group training, and many of them have made huge progress.

3 Things to Consider Before Choosing Private Lessons

1. Do they train on their own with intention?

   • Not just shooting around, but pushing through structured drills that make them uncomfortable.

2. Are they watching the game?

   • Not just highlight reels, full games. Seeing the game helps athletes visualize, mimic, and grow. This is what the best athletes in all sports do.

3. Are they coachable

   • Private training only works when an athlete is open to feedback and willing to adjust.

   
   

If all three are true, private lessons might be a great tool. If not, stick with group training and focus on applying what they’re learning consistently.

Next Steps

If you want something your athlete can work on at home, check out our 4-week PDF training guide for just $4.99:👉 Home Court Advantage: Basketball Drills

Or, if you're ready to explore private or small-group training, schedule a call so we can talk about your athlete’s goals:👉 Schedule a Call