A kid sent me some emails recently in which he asked about private lessons and how much I would charge. I repeatedly suggested that he just come along to our weekly session once it starts up again (I'm injured) and that I'd be happy to teach him for free but he seems very keen on the private lesson idea. Would you give or pay for private lessons and if so, what would be a good price? What would you do at these lessons - just get the kid to practice the right things really hard, try to make it fun, a bit of both, something else? I realise I could potentially just have a normal circle kick with the kid and get money for it.
Has anybody else ever taught private lessons? What were your experiences?
Private Lessons
If the kid is interested in private lessons it seems like he really wants to push forward. I would think a private lesson would be no different from giving a fellow player advice on certain tricks, but with the direction of tricks up to your discretion to hopefully instill a good foundation. Try to eliminate any major problems (playing on heals, not pivoting correctly, posture, etc.) Use up some time for proper stretching, you don't want the kid to get hurt.
edit: Judge what you need to do based on the kid. Some people are all about pushing themselves until they get it, others might do better if you make it like playing a game. Ex: Pass back and fourth doing toe stalls in between increasing the # of toe stalls with each pass. See how high you can get.
Good luck.
p.s. $15-20 an hour
edit: Judge what you need to do based on the kid. Some people are all about pushing themselves until they get it, others might do better if you make it like playing a game. Ex: Pass back and fourth doing toe stalls in between increasing the # of toe stalls with each pass. See how high you can get.
Good luck.
p.s. $15-20 an hour
"...You have to get, really, practice, like eight hours every day. Then you get good level and then you can compete....There is no money, so players are like big family and that is what I -like" -Vasek-
Reid Strellner
Reid Strellner
Being that he's paying you, try to get a feel for what he wants to get out of the private lessons very early on.
Ideally, you'd want to instill a good foundation, as Reid mentioned. Make sure to stress both-sidedness and show him how the basic moves build the foundation for other tricks (so as to not run the risk of him getting bored / frustrated with "basics.") However, you might find that he wants to learn key moves that look more stylish, in which case you'd want to indulge him.
You'll find this out if you elicit his expectations prior to getting things started. I've never given private lessons (in footbag or anything else) but I've taken a couple of people from kicking a crocheted bag to shredding with a 32 in Lavers.
Hope it works out well for both of you!
Ideally, you'd want to instill a good foundation, as Reid mentioned. Make sure to stress both-sidedness and show him how the basic moves build the foundation for other tricks (so as to not run the risk of him getting bored / frustrated with "basics.") However, you might find that he wants to learn key moves that look more stylish, in which case you'd want to indulge him.
You'll find this out if you elicit his expectations prior to getting things started. I've never given private lessons (in footbag or anything else) but I've taken a couple of people from kicking a crocheted bag to shredding with a 32 in Lavers.
Hope it works out well for both of you!
Mark Bull
to anyone in this situation, I would say:
the fact that he is ignoring your (probably better) suggestion that he just start coming out to sessions does not speak well about him as a student. After all, you are trying to basically give him his first lesson by making that suggestion, and he is responding by saying that he thinks he knows better.
Offer him one free trial lesson if he agrees to come to one group session and see if that doesn't work out better for him.
If he reflects that you are not wasting your time on him as a student (ie: listens attentively and respectfully) and he still wants your services after the group session, charge $20US an hour (a very small fee for a qualified, experienced teacher). For my casual guitar students, I always like to give them at least 15-20 extra minutes for jam time if they want it, but that's up to you.
Some people can not value a service they are receiving unless they are paying for it, so if he wants to pay you and you feel like accepting money for a service you would normally provide for free at group sessions, and that's what it takes to get him practicing, so be it.
the fact that he is ignoring your (probably better) suggestion that he just start coming out to sessions does not speak well about him as a student. After all, you are trying to basically give him his first lesson by making that suggestion, and he is responding by saying that he thinks he knows better.
Offer him one free trial lesson if he agrees to come to one group session and see if that doesn't work out better for him.
If he reflects that you are not wasting your time on him as a student (ie: listens attentively and respectfully) and he still wants your services after the group session, charge $20US an hour (a very small fee for a qualified, experienced teacher). For my casual guitar students, I always like to give them at least 15-20 extra minutes for jam time if they want it, but that's up to you.
Some people can not value a service they are receiving unless they are paying for it, so if he wants to pay you and you feel like accepting money for a service you would normally provide for free at group sessions, and that's what it takes to get him practicing, so be it.
BRICK!
rfa::never give up::
nyfa
rfa::never give up::
nyfa
I don't know about that. Maybe he would feel uncomfortable in a group setting if he doesn't have confidence in his abilities. I think it is perfectly reasonable to want to work in a more private environment and become better before opening up to more people. Not everyone has the confidence level to perform in front of several people if they feel their skills are inadequate. The same reason I didn't jump in a circle with Vasek at 2004 worlds. Would have loved to do it, I just didn't want to be the underdog.Matt Cross wrote:to anyone in this situation, I would say:
the fact that he is ignoring your (probably better) suggestion that he just start coming out to sessions does not speak well about him as a student. After all, you are trying to basically give him his first lesson by making that suggestion, and he is responding by saying that he thinks he knows better.
O
"...You have to get, really, practice, like eight hours every day. Then you get good level and then you can compete....There is no money, so players are like big family and that is what I -like" -Vasek-
Reid Strellner
Reid Strellner
Thanks.
What concerns me is that if I'm charging him for lessons, won't it be awkward when he starts coming to our weekly session as well and gets pretty much the same advice for free? I dunno. I guess I'll give a few paid lessons and judge it myself. Getting a new keen freestyle footbagger in Hobart is definitely better than making money.
What concerns me is that if I'm charging him for lessons, won't it be awkward when he starts coming to our weekly session as well and gets pretty much the same advice for free? I dunno. I guess I'll give a few paid lessons and judge it myself. Getting a new keen freestyle footbagger in Hobart is definitely better than making money.
The first time this happens, point it out to him and remind him that he can stop the paid lessons whenever he wants.Jeremy wrote:won't it be awkward when he starts coming to our weekly session as well and gets pretty much the same advice for free?
it wouldn't be awkward for me if I was in your situation because you have made it clear to him that the free weekly footbag session lessons are available, and he still wants the one on one help.
BRICK!
rfa::never give up::
nyfa
rfa::never give up::
nyfa
Yeah for sure, although if I were being paid and they took it seriously I think I could train somebody to be at least one of the best players in Australia within a year - the money aspect would make me really push the important things and genuine hard work, instead of with most people I just let them decide how hard they want to work and I just give advice on how to do tricks rather than saying things like - practice your toe delays for 30 minutes every day until they feel easier than kicking etc. so maybe the paid lessons bit will actually be good - or he'll hate it like I used to hate my piano lessons.
Anyway for the record I suggested $25 per half hour session - only half an hour because I think mainly I can go through all the stuff he needs to work on in that kind of time frame and then he can work on that stuff for free outside of the half hour and $25 because that's about what I think would be reasonable for me to go to the trouble to work it all out etc. Also I figured this was at the top end of what would be reasonable and I always ask for too much so I have the freedom to negotiate down. I would probably be happy to do it for free, so don't tell him that
His parents are paying anyway and he attends one of the most prestigious private schools in Tasmania so it all sounds fairly reasonable to me
Also given my latest sporting injuries, having more people to play footbag with would be awesome as I'm leaning towards retiring from football, and maybe touch football as well - which means footbag would be my only sport. I may take up rock climbing or something along those lines though.
Anyway for the record I suggested $25 per half hour session - only half an hour because I think mainly I can go through all the stuff he needs to work on in that kind of time frame and then he can work on that stuff for free outside of the half hour and $25 because that's about what I think would be reasonable for me to go to the trouble to work it all out etc. Also I figured this was at the top end of what would be reasonable and I always ask for too much so I have the freedom to negotiate down. I would probably be happy to do it for free, so don't tell him that
His parents are paying anyway and he attends one of the most prestigious private schools in Tasmania so it all sounds fairly reasonable to me
Also given my latest sporting injuries, having more people to play footbag with would be awesome as I'm leaning towards retiring from football, and maybe touch football as well - which means footbag would be my only sport. I may take up rock climbing or something along those lines though.
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ThisIsFate
- Multidex Master
- Posts: 306
- Joined: 13 Sep 2005 15:40
one trick 10$ 2add tricks 20$ 3add tricks 30$ .
or every 20kicks 1$
or every 20kicks 1$
Last edited by ThisIsFate on 10 May 2010 03:50, edited 1 time in total.
kungho
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crazylegs32
- Egyptian Footgod
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- Location: Palatine/Chicago Burbs
If you think what you do is worth value, why devalue it for an interested newcomer? They're just like you -- wouldn't you pay for footbag lessons if you were just starting?
This is a huge problem in footbag. Everyone sells themselves cheap (or free) and people assume the sport isn't worth anything.
$20 for 60-90 min, all skill levels. It's not rocket science.
Bad idea to price discriminate. You lose credibility if a student finds out someone else paid cheaper.
JM
This is a huge problem in footbag. Everyone sells themselves cheap (or free) and people assume the sport isn't worth anything.
$20 for 60-90 min, all skill levels. It's not rocket science.
Bad idea to price discriminate. You lose credibility if a student finds out someone else paid cheaper.
JM
Jorden Moir
Jeremy wrote: What concerns me is that if I'm charging him for lessons, won't it be awkward when he starts coming to our weekly session as well and gets pretty much the same advice for free?
I would say he's paying for the extra time, or more "private" time. he wants it a certain way for whatever reason. He'll change his mind if he doesn't like it. Maybe he think he learns best in this type of way, or just more comfortable.
If it feels too uncomfortable. Just charge him $10 or some small fee that makes it easier for you to take for the time/info/whatever you spend.
Cory Allen
My Footblog
My Footblog