5 Questions to Ask When Looking for a Pitching Coach
My dad and I spent a long time trying to find the right pitching coach. We looked at social media pages, asked around at tournaments, and sat through a few trial lessons before we figured out what actually mattered. The problem wasn't finding coaches — it was knowing what to ask them.
Here are the five questions we wish we'd asked from the start. They come from conversations in fastpitch forums, tournament sidelines, and hard-earned experience from families who've been through this search.
1. What Is Your Pitching Background?
This one matters more than it sounds. You're not looking for someone who just played — you're looking for someone who can teach. Some of the best coaches never played at a high level but have spent years studying mechanics and developing players. Some former college pitchers have never figured out how to break down what they do instinctively.
Ask where they played, how long they've been coaching, and — most importantly — what levels their students have gone on to play. A coach who's helped 12U players grow into high school starters is worth more than one who just has an impressive personal resume.
Also ask about certifications. USA Softball and the National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) both offer coaching education programs. It's not a requirement, but it shows they've invested in learning how to teach.
2. Do You Teach a System, or Do You Adapt to Each Pitcher?
This is one of the most debated topics in fastpitch forums — and for good reason. Every pitcher's body is different. A coach who forces every player into the exact same arm path, stride length, and hip drive is going to create problems for kids whose bodies don't naturally move that way.
The best coaches teach core principles — drive, circle, snap, follow-through — but adjust the details to fit the pitcher. When you ask this question, listen for coaches who talk about a pitcher's strengths and how they work with them, not just a rigid checklist.
Red flag: a coach who can't explain why they teach something a certain way, or who dismisses mechanics your pitcher has already developed without watching them throw first.
3. What Pitches Do You Teach, and In What Order?
The fastpitch community is pretty united on this: the fastball comes first. A pitcher who doesn't have a consistent, accurate fastball isn't ready to be working on drop curves and screwballs — no matter how excited they are about the spin.
Ask the coach what their progression looks like. A good answer sounds like: master location and speed on the fastball, then add a change-up, then build in breaking balls once the foundation is solid. The change-up in particular is often overlooked but is one of the most effective pitches at every level.
Be cautious of coaches who want to jump straight into breaking balls with younger pitchers. Done wrong, spin pitches put stress on the arm and can build bad habits that are hard to undo.
4. How Do You Measure Progress and Communicate With Our Family?
Lessons without feedback are just reps. A good coach has a plan — and they can explain what getting better looks like for your pitcher specifically.
Ask if they video their lessons. Video is one of the most powerful tools in pitching development. Being able to see your own mechanics from the side or behind changes things fast. If a coach is working without any kind of visual feedback, that's worth asking about.
Also ask how they communicate with parents. Do they give a quick debrief after each lesson? Do they set goals for the season? You don't need a full written report every week, but you should come away from each lesson knowing what you're working on and why.
5. Can We Talk to a Parent or Player You've Worked With?
References are normal. Any coach worth their rate should be happy to connect you with a family they've worked with. If they hesitate or can't think of anyone, that's a signal.
When you talk to other families, don't just ask if they liked the coach. Ask: Did your pitcher improve? Did the coach adjust when something wasn't working? Was the communication good? Would you go back?
You can also look for coaches whose current or former students are playing at levels above where your pitcher is now. That's the best real-world proof that a coach develops players — not just teaches them.
Finding the right pitching coach takes time, and the perfect fit is different for every player. Some pitchers thrive with coaches who are intense and technical. Others need someone patient and encouraging. Pay attention to how your pitcher feels after a lesson — energized and motivated, or discouraged and confused. That reaction tells you a lot. The right coach makes your pitcher want to go back.