Questions for potential instructors?

krupa

krupa

The Dream Operator
Silver Member
I used the BCA's website to find some instructors in my area. At least one is "recognized" by the BCA, most didn't seem to be.

Are there any questions I should ask a potential instructor to try and determine if it's worth my time seeing them? Is being listed by the BCA enough?

The closest instructors to me are about 1.5 hours away so if I go, I don't want to be wasting my time/money.

Thanks
-matthew
 
krupa said:
I used the BCA's website to find some instructors in my area. At least one is "recognized" by the BCA, most didn't seem to be.

Are there any questions I should ask a potential instructor to try and determine if it's worth my time seeing them? Is being listed by the BCA enough?

The closest instructors to me are about 1.5 hours away so if I go, I don't want to be wasting my time/money.

Thanks
-matthew
Click to expand...
Hi Matthew,
The list includes some instructors that have had no formal training from the BCA. That doesn't necessarily mean that they aren't good instructors. A certification level next to the name indicates the level of formal training.

Some questions to ask:
Will the lessons be one-on-one?
Will the lessons be tailored to my problems?
Is video analysis available?
Do you have handouts I can look at before the lessons?
Will you give me specific things to practice or ways to practice for the problems we find?

Not all students and instructors fit well together.

Good luck with your search.
Bob
 
The 4 levels of instructors in the BCA can give you an idea of the quality of instruction you can expect...but it is not carved in stone. Recognized simply means that they have worked with an Advanced or Master instructor who signed off on them joining the program. Their experience may or may not meet your needs. I usually suggest that newly recognized instructors work with beginning students until they become very familiar with the materials. However, it's possible that someone who has been teaching for years may decide to become a BCA instructor, and they would still start at the Recognized level. It simply means they are new to the BCA Instructor program.

Certified has some additional training requirements, and requires meeting a minimum number of hours spent teaching students, and working with Advanced or Master Instructors.

Advanced indicates that an instructor has worked with at least two different Master instructors, has met all the other requirements, and has demonstrated the ability to teach advanced level students.

Master has a few more requirements, and usually means the individual is teaching full time.

Bob's list of questions will certainly help you make an informed decision. I might add one more to the list...try to find out who they worked with when they joined the program, and ask for student references.

Hope that helps.

Steve
 
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Matthew....As pooltcher told you, a "recognized" label next to an instructor's name merely means that they are new to the program, and may or may not have the necessary skills to correct your problems. Video analysis is vital. Ask if the potential instructor uses it, and if they say no...go somewhere else. It's also vital that the instructor leave the student with something in writing, that allows them to track their progress, and review their instruction. Asking for references is also a good idea...check up on those to see if the instructor's students are satisfied. If you let us know where you live, we may be able to steer you someone in particular.

Scott Lee
www.poolknowledge.com

krupa said:
I used the BCA's website to find some instructors in my area. At least one is "recognized" by the BCA, most didn't seem to be.

Are there any questions I should ask a potential instructor to try and determine if it's worth my time seeing them? Is being listed by the BCA enough?

The closest instructors to me are about 1.5 hours away so if I go, I don't want to be wasting my time/money.

Thanks
-matthew
Click to expand...
 
Thanks for all the help. I live in Trumansburg NY (10 miles north of Ithaca.) I'm pretty much equidistant to Syracuse, Rochester, and Binghamton.

I've been playing pool off and on for the past 18 years but have never had formal instruction. So for all intents and purposes, I'm definitely a beginner.

At the same time, I'm going to Vegas in August (the beginning of the month) and was thinking of taking a lesson then as well. Any recommendations?
 
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krupa said:
Thanks for all the help. I live in Trumansburg NY (10 miles north of Ithaca.) I'm pretty much equidistant to Syracuse, Rochester, and Binghamton.

I've been playing pool off and on for the past 18 years but have never had formal instruction. So for all intents and purposes, I'm definitely a beginner.

At the same time, I'm going to Vegas in August (the beginning of the month) and was thinking of taking a lesson then as well. Any recommendations?
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I wouldn't take a lesson before I went to Vegas, but afterwards.
I will try to find a good Instructor near by you.
randyg
 
randyg said:
I wouldn't take a lesson before I went to Vegas, but afterwards.
I will try to find a good Instructor near by you.
randyg
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Thanks!

I'm going to be in Vegas for a week for work-related conferences. I figured it would be a better use of my free time (and money) to hit a pool room and practice instead of just blowing it in the video-crack. You're saying, though, that a lesson at the same time wouldn't really be worth it?

-matthew
 
Potential instructors

I think it's great your seeking out an instructor.

I would have a few things in mind before you go into your lesson(s).

How much are you looking to improve?
How much time do you have to work on this outside of the lessons?

Also keep a notebook and before lessons keep up with what you would like to work on (list in priority) and also keep track of what drills you learn and what key points you learn.

I am not a certified instructor yet, but I have helped teach at the Georgia Billiard Academy. I have not had any disappointed clients. In fact over a few months I've had dozens of players come up to me to thank me because they are playing better than ever. I think some clients have gotten more out of it because we work better together. So finding the right instructor for you is important. The next most important thing is to take the time outside of the lessons to apply and really understand the concepts of what you learn in the lessons. The most confusing thing for me is the clients that come in week after week when they have not taken the time to work on the previous weeks information/drills.

Good luck finding a great instructor
Richard
 
krupa said:
Thanks!

I'm going to be in Vegas for a week for work-related conferences. I figured it would be a better use of my free time (and money) to hit a pool room and practice instead of just blowing it in the video-crack. You're saying, though, that a lesson at the same time wouldn't really be worth it?

-matthew
Click to expand...

I figured that you where going to Vegas to play. Work is another story. Get that lesson.
randyg
 
RWOJO said:
I think it's great your seeking out an instructor.

I would have a few things in mind before you go into your lesson(s).

How much are you looking to improve?
How much time do you have to work on this outside of the lessons?

Also keep a notebook and before lessons keep up with what you would like to work on (list in priority) and also keep track of what drills you learn and what key points you learn.

I am not a certified instructor yet, but I have helped teach at the Georgia Billiard Academy. I have not had any disappointed clients. In fact over a few months I've had dozens of players come up to me to thank me because they are playing better than ever. I think some clients have gotten more out of it because we work better together. So finding the right instructor for you is important. The next most important thing is to take the time outside of the lessons to apply and really understand the concepts of what you learn in the lessons. The most confusing thing for me is the clients that come in week after week when they have not taken the time to work on the previous weeks information/drills.

Good luck finding a great instructor
Richard
Click to expand...

Thanks for the suggestions. To answer your questions:
1) My long-term goal is a 100+ run in 14.1. My current best is 5 so I've got a ways to go.
2) I could play almost everyday but I don't right now because my practicing is not focused and often times more chore than fun. (in other words, I don't feel like I'm getting a lot out of it.)
 
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I would look for Max Eberle he is now located in Vegas. He has a real good reputation for being an instructor. He is now working as a night manager at Best Billiards LV
‎3740 East Flamingo Road, Las Vegas, NV

I would call them and see if you can get a lesson with him. Good luck!
 
Instruction

krupa said:
Thanks for the suggestions. To answer your questions:
1) My long-term goal is a 100+ run in 14.1. My current best is 5 so I've got a ways to go.
2) I could play almost everyday but I don't right now because my practicing is not focused and often times more chore than fun. (in other words, I don't feel like I'm getting a lot out of it.)
Click to expand...

If your high run is 5 and you'd like it to be 100+ (plus you have time to practice everyday) then I would find an instructor close to you. Get a video analysis and spend a few lessons getting your fundamentals rock solid and developing a pre shot routine. After you have all that down continue lessons maybe every week or every other week. At this point make sure you put in enough focused practice on each subject you cover with your instructor. About this time you will see your high run start climbing higher and higher.

Best of luck to you,
Richard
 
How close to Buffalo are u? Danny DiLiberto lives up there and should be available for lessons....
 
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