Field Notes: Sports Tutoring

I wanted to share an experience that I recently had with my tutee that I thought might help or inspire other tutors out there. 

First of all, my name is Jaimille, and I usually tutor science subjects to middle school and high school students.  I'm also an ice skater, and skated semi-pro for a few years.  The two are related, I promise!

Anyway, I was talking to one of my tutees and her mom a few months ago, and the subject of ice skating came up in the conversation.  My tutee's mom asked if I would be willing to teach her daughter (my tutee) how to ice skate.  She had wanted to learn for a lot of years, but gets really nervous in large group class settings when it comes to sports. 

Honestly, at first I almost said no.  Then I thought back to something I read right here on the blog.  It was about branching outside of your tutoring "comfort zone," and tutoring non-traditional subjects that fall outside your standard set of tutoring subjects. 

So, I said yes, and my tutee and I started meeting once a week for biology, and once a week for ice skating.

It has been a phenomenal experience!

Almost instantly we worked more effectively together during the biology tutoring; I think it was because we were having fun and bonding on the ice. 

Our communication improved (both on and off the ice), we were having fun while learning, and my tutee seemed much more focused and enthusiastic.

Overall, it has been a great experience, and I am thrilled that I said yes.  I would definitely recommend it to other tutors.  If you get a chance to tutor non-traditional subjects, whether it's music, dance, sports, etc., definitely go for it! 

Ask Micki: Lacrosse tutoring job

Question: Hi, there, Micki. I have a question tutoring a non-academic subject.

I was recently contacted about tutoring a sport (Lacrosse), but I have never tutored anything other than academic subjects.   Feels more like coaching than tutoring. The Lacrosse player basically wants to brush up on skills with a goal of making the team this coming fall. 

Any advice would be appreciated.  Thanks!

Alexis, PA

Answer: Hi, Alexis - good question.  I tend to look at both tutoring and coaching in kind of the same way...In both circumstances, you're helping someone learn a set of skills.  In this case, instead of having a student who needs help with French, you have a player who needs help with Lacrosse techniques.  In other words, you are a Lacrosse tutor. 

You are also entering some exciting territory - we are seeing more and more tutors who are specializing, and using their tutoring skills to help people with non-academic tutoring needs.  Music, dance, sports...the number of tutors who specialize in non-academic tutoring is growing by leaps and bounds!

My advice would be to treat this very similarly to how you would treat any other tutoring session.  Stick to your typical rates, show up on time, be punctual, keep the tutoring session focused and professional, keep accurate billing records, communicate effectively, etc.

This is just like any of your other tutoring sessions, except instead of meeting behind a desk, you'll be meeting out on the field.

Good luck, and happy tutoring!

Ask Micki: Non-academic Tutoring?

Question: Hi, Micki. I have a chance to tutor a subject that is not an academic subject, but I'm not sure about taking the job.

You see, usually I tutor English, but I also play the guitar. Recently one of my English tutoring clients asked if it would be willing to tutor her in guitar, too. I'm really used to the English tutoring style (essays, grammar, etc.), but I have never tutored a non-academic subject. Should I go for it? Is there anything I need to know or do differently for music tutoring?

Thanks for the help - Tony P., English Tutor, from Mt. Pleasant, SC

Answer: Hi, Tony! First off, yes, I would definitely take the guitar tutoring gig if you feel comfortable enough with your skill set to pass along your knowledge. Tutoring, whether a nontraditional or academic subject, is all based off of the same principle - to help a tutee master a set of skills.

Tutoring music is a lot like tutoring any other subject. You will be helping your tutee learn skills (guitar chords, music reading, etc), that she can put into action. The only difference is that instead of turning in a paper, she'll be strumming a song.

I know a lot of music tutors who also tutor academic subjects, and they actually prefer the convenience of being able to tutor multiple subjects with a tutee they already familiar with - there are a lot of benefits with this arrangement: you already have a great working relationship with your tutee, you already know his/her learning style, you know the route to the tutoring location, you know how the tutoring session will go, etc..

Even better, some of these tutors have told me that tutoring something a little more fun, like music or sports, actually improved their academic tutoring sessions. One tutor I spoke with told me that tutoring clarinet once a week with his tutee improved their tutoring relationship, and made their math tutoring a lot more relaxed and effective.

So, the quick answer to your question is: Yes! I would go for it - Have fun branching out and tutoring something a bit outside of your norm!

Good luck, and happy tutoring!

Ask Micki: Sports Tutoring

Question: Hi, Micki. I have a question about possibly tutoring a non-traditional subject.

I coach for a local little league team, and was recently contacted about tutoring a sport (baseball pitching, to be exact), but I have no clue if this is something that falls under the realm of tutoring, if it is possible, how much I should charge, etc. Any advice on this? Thanks!

~ Coach, math tutor, and science tutor from So. Cal.

Answer: You sound like one busy person! I would say, without a doubt, a big resounding YES, go for it! If you are helping someone learn a skill, then I would consider it tutoring - since you have an athlete with a need to learn better pitching techniques, you are acting as a tutor for that skill.

I have talked to a lot of tutors over the past few years who have tutored basketball, the physics of baseball, water polo, ice skating...pretty much every sport under the sun will have potential "tutees" who need to improve their skills.

As far as what to charge, my advice would be to stick with your typical rates, and treat this job exactly like any other tutoring gig. Think of it like this - you'll be the exact same professional, friendly tutor, charging an appropriate rate, except instead of meeting at a table, you'll be meeting on the field.

Good luck, and happy tutoring!