The 2024 baseball season is just around the corner. Tryouts are looming, and like many other baseball parents, I’ve been looking into ways to level up my son’s practice at home.
So, we got my 14-year-old, Justin, a WIN Reality membership and Meta Quest 2 for Christmas. Since then, he’s been making serious progress on his swing this offseason.
WIN Reality is a Virtual Reality baseball training aid that allows players to practice unlimited game-speed reps in the comfort of their own home. They also offer expert coaching sessions that focus on real-time adjustments and data-driven feedback.
These sessions have been instrumental in helping Justin improve both his physical and mental game as we prep for the season ahead.
If you’re a baseball parent like me, you probably have a ton of questions. So here’s a breakdown of everything you need to know about how WIN Reality’s expert coaching can take your athlete’s game to the next level:
How Do The Coaching Sessions Work?
WIN Reality’s expert coaching sessions focus on specific hitting skills, covering everything from pitch recognition to gaining confidence in your approach to super in-depth swing mechanics.
As a member of the Pro plan, players can choose 2 sessions per month and train alongside 1-5 other players of a similar age and skill level. Each training typically lasts about 30-40 minutes and provides players with personalized drills they can work on throughout the week.
Can Virtual Coaching Be As Effective?
Yes. Despite being virtual, these sessions involve active conversations and emphasize working towards verifiable results. Coaches can switch their audio to play inside a player’s headset, which adds an individualized experience during training.
To be honest, I was skeptical until I listened to one of Justin’s Zoom meetings to see just what I’m paying for. I’m so impressed with the Coach’s enthusiasm and insights. The best part was watching Justin’s excitement as he absorbed it all.
Who Are The Coaches?
All of the WIN Reality coaches are former professional/college players, so they know precisely what it’s like to be a young athlete eager to improve. As a baseball parent, I’m thrilled that my son is learning from the best.
Their coaches also specialize in specific age groups, so your child receives appropriate feedback from the same highly skilled coach every time. This helps your kid build a strong relationship with a coach who easily relates to them.
What Type Of Feedback Do Players Receive?
Because WIN Reality utilizes VR, coaches can analyze real-time data from players’ swings and then offer super-specific adjustments. For example, a coach will ask a player to hit 10 pitches and can instantly tell them if their timing is late or if they’re not loading properly.
This gives athletes valuable, real-time feedback that leads to very tangible results. Then, by the following session, you can check any progress and either continue to hone that skill or move on to your next goal.
How Can WIN Reality Help Improve A Player’s Swing?
WIN Reality coaches can provide a 1-1 swing analysis that focuses on the complex biomechanics of the baseball swing. At the beginning of the session, players take 5 swings and the coaches analyze a 3D model of their individual movements.
Justin’s Swing Analysis shows a “pass” for the Stride Length in his swing.
Judging by 12 unique aspects of the swing, players are given a “pass/fail” for each metric and can identify where there’s room for improvement. This state-of-the-art approach helps players visualize particular aspects of their swing such as stride length, upper torso load, and pelvis direction at contact. It also helps provide the coaches with a distinct plan tailored to your child's swing. (See example above showing a “pass” on Stride Length, and below showing a “fail” on Pelvis Direction At Contact.)
Do The Coaching Sessions Actually Work?
On its own, WIN Reality is an exceptional training tool for baseball players of all skill levels. What sealed the deal for me was those expert coaching sessions that take VR tech one step further with detailed analyses and personalized feedback. Not only has Justin’s physical game significantly improved, but his mental game and overall confidence are off the charts. His coach Ryan encourages him to practice positive self-talk and visualization, which has transformed Justin’s mindset and attitude during games.
Final Thoughts
WIN Reality has been a total game-changer for Justin, especially during the colder months when he can’t practice outside. The coaching sessions motivate him to break out of his bubble by engaging with fellow players from around the country.
If your child is looking to level up their baseball game, WIN Reality and their expert coaching knock it out of the park!