A Question for the Real Instructors who are on the Forum

CocoboloCowboy

CocoboloCowboy

Cowboys are my hero's
Silver Member
1. What are your qualification to instruct, like certification, or instructional courses completed?

2. What are your PERSONAL GREATEST ACCOMPLISHMENT in Pool. Like maybe being in the BCA Hall of Fame, or holding a World Title.

3. Have you ever produced a World Class Student like say a Nick Verner, Earl Strickland, Johnny Archer, Allison Fisher?

4. Are your currently the Coach for any World Class player like those mention above?
 
CocoboloCowboy said:
1. What are your qualification to instruct, like certification, or instructional courses completed?

I'm not quite sure why some of this is relevent, but I'll go along with it. I have over 200 hours of formal training with 4 BCA Master instructors, plus I have attended several continuing education classes designed for billiard instructors.

2. What are your PERSONAL GREATEST ACCOMPLISHMENT in Pool. Like maybe being in the BCA Hall of Fame, or holding a World Title.

My greatest accomplishment in pool is probably a collection of notes from former students thanking me for sharing the course information with them. Seeing my students improve is the greatest accomplishment an instructor can have.

3. Have you ever produced a World Class Student like say a Nick Verner, Earl Strickland, Johnny Archer, Allison Fisher?
Those players mentioned did not have any one instructor "produce" them. They have taken advantage of every opportunity to learn from many sources, so nobody could possibly take credit for their accomplishments. If you are interested in a partial list of students I have worked with, you can check my web site. You might see one or two names on the alumni list you recognize.

4. Are your currently the Coach for any World Class player like those mention above?
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Not at the moment, but I have worked with a few.

Steve
 
Hi Bruce. Good questions. Let me take a wack at some answers.


CocoboloCowboy said:
1. What are your qualification to instruct, like certification, or instructional courses completed?

After College I attended many Seminars on teaching (still do). My favorite was a class on Human Behavior. I also studied under two of the greatest Sports Physiologists in the USA. Another favorite class was how the human muscles operate, very interesting when applied to Pool.

Our Pool School has been the top ranked BCA Academy for about the last 20 years or so.

2. What are your PERSONAL GREATEST ACCOMPLISHMENT in Pool. Like maybe being in the BCA Hall of Fame, or holding a World Title.

Playing Scotch Doubles with my wife for 15 years. (we are still married).

I'm very proud of being part of the BCA (WPA) Rules Committee from 1978 to about 2005. These are the 8-Ball Rules that we all play under now.

Also how about authoring the Texas Express 9-Ball Rules. That was quite a treat to work with my two partners.


3. Have you ever produced a World Class Student like say a Nick Verner, Earl Strickland, Johnny Archer, Allison Fisher?

YES, many of them. A few of them have studied with me after winning a World Championship, that's even more immpressive.


4. Are your currently the Coach for any World Class player like those mention above?

Nope....too busy teaching.
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randyg said:
Hi Bruce. Good questions. Let me take a wack at some answers.


2. What are your PERSONAL GREATEST ACCOMPLISHMENT in Pool. Like maybe being in the BCA Hall of Fame, or holding a World Title.

Playing Scotch Doubles with my wife for 15 years. (we are still married). COLOR]

Still married after playing pool together. Now THAT'S an accomplishment! Just last night my girlfriend tried to take my head off with her cue... I guess I was supposed to miss the shot...
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And this after I put a nice Kamui Black soft tip on it for her. Sheese. At least I can still duck.
 
This is such a sad subject. A lot of players avoid lessons that can help them tremendously because they believe that the only ones that are good teachers are ‘pros’ or top regional players. They’re simply limiting their game with their ignorance.

It’s not how well you play or who you teach that makes you a good instructor. It’s your knowledge and how well you can transfer it to the student, and how well you can help them improve their skills on the table.

Would you agree that Mike Page and Dave Akiatore are knowledgeable and good teachers? Correct me if I’m wrong, but neither are professional players. Have you learned from them? Would you take a lesson from them?

I’ve studied as a player and as an instructor (books, videos, lessons, and the school of hard knocks). I’ve taken lessons from several BCA Master and Advanced instructors, and some pros, to both improve my game and to learn how to teach the game. I’ve also learned a great deal from those I’ve played with over the years. I’m a BCA Advanced Level instructor and have taught for ten years. I have a lot to offer a student that wants to improve their game.

Am I a pro? No. Do I teach pros? No. Could I teach a pro something, or help them with their game? It’s very possible. Can I learn from a pro? Sure. I have and will continue to. Can I take lesson from a pro that’s a waste of time and money? Yes. I’ve had one. Simply playing well doesn’t make you a good teacher.

There are a lot of amateur players that would benefit much more from lessons than the pros would, and that’s who I teach, and who’s games I improve. Can I teach an amateur something or help them with their game? I’ve been helping students significantly improve their game for ten years.

Am I a good instructor? My students tell me so, but you might ask them. Better yet, take a lesson and find out yourself. There really is no other way to know if an instructor is good for you or not.
 
CocoboloCowboy said:
1. What are your qualification to instruct, like certification, or instructional courses completed?

I am a certified instructor for pressure point control techniques. I was trained and certified to do that by the FBI. I also have a degree in psychology. This means I can inflict physical and psychological damage if my directions are not followed.

2. What are your PERSONAL GREATEST ACCOMPLISHMENT in Pool. Like maybe being in the BCA Hall of Fame, or holding a World Title.

2007 World Lagging Champion.

3. Have you ever produced a World Class Student like say a Nick Verner, Earl Strickland, Johnny Archer, Allison Fisher?

Produced... no. Assisted in their development process, yes. Owed money by some, also yes.

4. Are your currently the Coach for any World Class player like those mention above?
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Not at the moment, nor do I wish to be.
 
Spike8ball said:
randyg said:
Hi Bruce. Good questions. Let me take a wack at some answers.


2. What are your PERSONAL GREATEST ACCOMPLISHMENT in Pool. Like maybe being in the BCA Hall of Fame, or holding a World Title.

Playing Scotch Doubles with my wife for 15 years. (we are still married). COLOR]

Still married after playing pool together. Now THAT'S an accomplishment! Just last night my girlfriend tried to take my head off with her cue... I guess I was supposed to miss the shot...
Click to expand...



some chicks seem to think you should throw them a game every now and again. those are the ones that aren't hungry enough to work harder on their game!
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The funny thing is I recently was talking about a fellow in our community who was trained by one of the "better" instructors, instructors.

IMHO he honestly has knowledge, but few people skills, and his communication sucks.

He once in a great while finds someone who will pay him to teach them the game of Pool, but the student usually don't last long because of this person inability to communicate.

I think if you are a instructor IMHO I would judge you by you ability to communicate with a large group of people with different backgrounds, and abilities.

Then I would judge you by your former student success, no successful students, than imho you have failed as an instructor.

You either could not teach, communicate, or motivate the student to lean, and practice.

I recently did a seminar to a group of 15 older people on creative photography. I spent the best part of an hour explaining the one week assignment to be completed before our next class.

At the end of the class I handed each student a blank piece of 8-1/2” x 11” White Copy Paper.

I told each student this is your “subject”, you have one week to do something creative with it.

At the next meeting of the original 15, 11 returned. 8 had done something with the blank piece of 8-1/2” x 11” White Copy Paper.

One did something that was creative, the others failed. I told they why, and gave they ideas for other self assignments.

Apparently I was only able to communicate with one student, and I think half the class was there to kill time.
 
A good teacher must be able to impart knowledge of a particular subject to their students, as well as be able to show them how to apply that knowledge in a practical way. Knowledge without application is useless...unless you are on Jeopardy!

Steve
 
CocoboloCowboy said:
1. What are your qualification to instruct, like certification, or instructional courses completed?

I've been to Randy G's pool school for everything from Advanced/Expert classes, to instructor certification and have worked with at least 2 Master Instructors, both as students and as instructors. I've taught in travelling pool schools for Cue Tech from Charlotte to Idaho Falls and I've had a blast during every minute of it!

2. What are your PERSONAL GREATEST ACCOMPLISHMENT in Pool. Like maybe being in the BCA Hall of Fame, or holding a World Title.

LOL, Greatest accomplishment? Played 9 ball with David Matlock on a bar box for 2 hours and still owned my car when it was over! Matter of fact, lost less than 100 bucks, but I'll never tell how cheap we were playing!

3. Have you ever produced a World Class Student like say a Nick Verner, Earl Strickland, Johnny Archer, Allison Fisher?

No, I haven't! Just don't live in a place where I can get any students anyone has ever heard of. My favorite student was a gentleman that was a pretty weak player. He's worked with me several times over the past few years and just got moved up to an A rating in the Arkansas Pool Players Association. Maybe it's just me (and keep in mind, I don't teach pool for a living, I make fly rods. I can never make teaching pool what I can make building fly rods) but I'd rather work with someone who can't hit a bull in the ass with the barn door and have them get raised three ratings in their league than to work with someone like XXX or YYY. Randy has fun with those, I do not.

4. Are your currently the Coach for any World Class player like those mention above?
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No Way, No Interest, No Time... and like I said, I make fly rods full time (well, as a retirement income) and pool is a hobby for me, a fun pastime that I happen to be pretty fair at. I do NOT want to work at it as hard as a coach would have to.
 
CocoboloCowboy said:
I think if you are a instructor IMHO I would judge you by you ability to communicate with a large group of people with different backgrounds, and abilities.

Then I would judge you by your former student success, no successful students, than imho you have failed as an instructor.

You either could not teach, communicate, or motivate the student to lean, and practice.

I recently did a seminar to a group of 15 older people on creative
Apparently I was only able to communicate with one student, and I think half the class was there to kill time.
Click to expand...

Your questions are a little unfair. And how many world class photographers have you taught? Would you consider yourself a failure if none of your students are in the top 100?

Part of the problem is finding a good student. After 25 odd years of university undergraduate and graduate teaching about 5k+ students I have perhaps three students who are "world class" in their respective fields and I am only one of several people who contributed to their education. There are many with advanced degrees and highly successful in their chosen fields, world class -- well that is another matter.


Your first point is the more important one. The ability to communicate is what makes a teacher. Much of the rest depends upon the student's ability and interpersonal style.
 
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JoeW said:
Your questions are a little unfair. And how many world class photographers have you taught? Would you consider yourself a failure if none of your students are in the top 100?
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I was a you saw at one time a World Class Freelance News/Feature Photographer. I gave my time for free to the group, shared some of my expierences, and expected nothing in return except some effort.

Part of the problem is finding a good student. After 25 odd years of university undergraduate and graduate teaching about 5k+ students I have perhaps three students who are "world class" in their respective fields and I am only one of several people who contributed to their education. There are many with advanced degrees and highly successful in their chosen fields, world class -- well that is another matter.
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Well you have had some successes.


Your first point is the more important one. The ability to communicate is what makes a teacher. Much of the rest depends upon the student's ability and interpersonal style.
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If you say so, but when I was in the Military before the PC World. Our D.I.'s seem to get their point across to everyone in our platoon. Yes they were trained as D.I's and the training was very good , and not P.C., Fuzzy Wuzzy.
 
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