School Trip To The Pool Hall

Pidge

Pidge

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
My girlfriend is a school teacher, she teaches kids aged 10-11 and we were chatting about how she was getting on so far this term. She mentioned that she has to go through angles and physics with her class before the term is over so I said there's lots to learn about that kid of stuff when you play pool. She laughed and sort of shrugged it off as if I was bs'ing her. So I got to explaining a few things and she came up with the idea of a class outing to the pool hall and asked if I'd go through a few things with the class, show them how to play whilst making it fun for them to learn. At first I was a bit skeptical about it, I didn't want 20 kids running around the hall when guys were there playing so I asked the owner if he could let us in a couple of hours before they opened and he said sure.

So, this is the situation I've found my self in. I have absolutely no idea how to get 20 kids undivided attention for 2 hours so please, give me some suggestions on how to make it fun but at the same time touch on angles and physics slightly...remember, they're only 10-11 year olds so I don't want to confuse them with stuff from Dr Dave and Bob! Ha

Hopefully I can get a few of them to love the game, go home to their parents and nag them for a cue or a table and maybe, just maybe some of them may play the game the rest of their lives.
 
Pidge:

You should do fine sticking with the basics. Remember, the kids are there for syllabus reasons (i.e. learning about angles, etc.). They are not there to learn how to play pool, although that will be a side benefit from the syllabus. Stick with the basics -- talk about ghost ball (dummy ball) and how that solves the angle to pocket the ball, etc. Do not go into alternative aiming systems (i.e. CTE, etc.). While alternative aiming system enthusiasts will disagree, saying that the students would be immediately pocketing balls (and the other associated marketing blah blah), unless you can talk about *all* the math involved with said alternative aiming system, that's not why they are there. Remember, syllabus -- talk about the math, angles, etc. -- and demonstrate profusely, selecting a student as your control.

Of course, no pool hall outing with students is complete without some trick shots, so have some in your arsenal. You'll give them something to talk about when you set the balls up, and have a student (control) shoot the shot, "magically" sending multiple balls to pockets.

Most of all, make it fun! You'll do fine.
-Sean
 
Vectors come to mind (paths after collision) and maybe some friction stuff like setting up a frozen combination and getting them to predict where it'll go. Throw it a half diamond or more and explain why it happens.
2 hours is going to be pretty tough to fill, maybe give them some time to replicate some of the stuff you show. Have a couple of easy, reliable trick shots ready.
 
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sfleinen said:
Pidge:

You should do fine sticking with the basics. Remember, the kids are there for syllabus reasons (i.e. learning about angles, etc.). They are not there to learn how to play pool, although that will be a side benefit from the syllabus. Stick with the basics -- talk about ghost ball (dummy ball) and how that solves the angle to pocket the ball, etc. Do not go into alternative aiming systems (i.e. CTE, etc.). While alternative aiming system enthusiasts will disagree, saying that the students would be immediately pocketing balls (and the other associated marketing blah blah), unless you can talk about *all* the math involved with said alternative aiming system, that's not why they are there. Remember, syllabus -- talk about the math, angles, etc. -- and demonstrate profusely, selecting a student as your control.

Of course, no pool hall outing with students is complete without some trick shots, so have some in your arsenal. You'll give them something to talk about when you set the balls up, and have a student (control) shoot the shot, "magically" sending multiple balls to pockets.

Most of all, make it fun! You'll do fine.
-Sean
Click to expand...
Thanks for the advice Sean, I was going to draw some chalk marks on the table (line to pocket, line from ghost ball to rail, get them to measure the angle and draw a line as the 'angle out' and see if they can work out that the angle in is the same as the angle out. Then get them to do the same for 3 and 4 rails, banks, kicks etc. Then shoot the shots and see how they did, then get them to try shoot some. But that's really all I had! So thanks for the input, its appreciated :)

And of course...ill be watching a lot of venom trick shots from now until the trip!
 
Pidge said:
Thanks for the advice Sean, I was going to draw some chalk marks on the table (line to pocket, line from ghost ball to rail, get them to measure the angle and draw a line as the 'angle out' and see if they can work out that the angle in is the same as the angle out. Then get them to do the same for 3 and 4 rails, banks, kicks etc. Then shoot the shots and see how they did, then get them to try shoot some. But that's really all I had! So thanks for the input, its appreciated :)

And of course...ill be watching a lot of venom trick shots from now until the trip!
Click to expand...

Learning should be FUN!! Just make sure they have lots of fun and learn a little. Set up a cross side bank shot that cant be missed, then widen the angle a few degrees at a time. If anybody makes it, they will have fun and learn a little too.
 
the same thing happen when I was in school 40 od years ago the math teacher took us to the pool hall and he did about the same sfleinen posted and the class was highly motivated one of the girls went on to be a structural engenear and two of the boys worked for NASA when we had a class reunion a couple years ago all three talked about the class trip to the pool hall
 
If you are trying to make it class room like. Here are a couple of ideas.

Explain the basics of Eight Ball and explain what a stop shot is. Then setup a few different table layouts. Making them progressively more difficult. On table 1 you have just three object balls and the eight ball. Set it up to where there is only one way to pocket all the balls using stop shots. See if they can identify the proper pattern. Have them all write down the shot order.

Then have them move on to table 2, where it becomes more difficult.

Then finally table 3 -- which will be really difficult and see how many kids can find the pattern.

Maybe you show them how easily you can run the balls if you play the proper pattern.

That could easily take up 15-20 minutes.

You get a few more ideas like that and you could fill up an hour easy. Good luck. Sounds like a lot of fun.
 
DO IT!!!!

what a FANTASTIC idea! OMG, if my physics teacher had related pool - to school - i might be a "pro" by now....

trick shots.
my son is 13. he LOVES watching Venom & Luxury & Jeanette Lee. and then explain to them - WHY, it worked. he won't watch PPV matches, but he's fascinated with trick shots.

give them a goal.
remember they're kids - "whoever makes a ball, gets $0.25 for the candy machine".

have fun!
 
Some random thoughts....


Use those little 3 ring binder circles so everyone can duplicate a shot(s).

Transfer of energy, re the angle of hit on the ob.

Tangent line theory.

Angles coming into and off the rails and why the rails are not mirrors with perfect reflection.

Friction helping transfer spin.

Jeff Livingston
 
I remember when I was a kid, probably close to that age, I saw a cartoon...it may have been on the old Mickey Mouse Club show. Probably my very first exposure to the cue sports. Donald Duck playing three cushion billiards. I'm sure you could find better and lesser qualities of video but here is one:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HUoUZ2Wyt6g

If you could set this up on a laptop, let them watch, then recreate some of the simple three rail cue ball shots and if any of them seem to have the physical aptitude to swing the cue, let the kids make the hit. I would say that it's not important for them to truly understand the Diamond System as shown in the video.....rather, you are trying to demonstrate that mathematics and science is all around us. On the pool and billiard table, it is not just guesswork and luck that has us succeed; it is CALCULATION and EXECUTION.
I have taught my kids that mathematics is actually a language, but with a big difference that it is a universal language. My example is that I could put my American kid in a room with kids from China, and Europe, and an African and South American country, no one SPEAKS the same language, but if I write a simple mathematical problem on a sheet of paper, " 2 + 2 =__ ", they will all write down the same answer. Similarly, I could go to some other country, set up a rack of eight ball and play a game against someone even if we don't speak a word of the same language.

Emphasize the math.....the tangent line is a great example. Set up an OB on the center spot, CB at an angle and drive the OB to the center diamond of the short rail and pocket the CB in the side pocket EVERY TIME and explain why.
And emphasize the physics...use a "measle" CB and show how you can play the same shot and PREVENT the CB from going in the side by using draw or follow.

And you have to let the kids hit the balls, but FIRST, give them an appropriate lesson about respecting the equipment.

Good luck! It will be fun!
 
What a great opportunity and what a wonderful thing you're doing.

My suggestion is to go thru the very basics and fundamentals of angles and physics in the game, e.g. angle in=angle out, transfer of energy, etc. Then surprise them with how speed and spin affects those.

Most importantly, allow them to explore and be challenged with applying the knowledge. Hopefully at one time during the session they can be divided into smaller groups to have table time and solve problems together. For example: Set an object ball at a corner pocket, the CB at another corner pocket - what are some ways for them to make the shot rail first? They can play around with one rail kicks, 2-rail kicks, or even more.

Good luck!
 
Post

I think they will need to learn the mechanics of holding and stroking a pool stick properly so that it contacts to cue ball straight/flat/level... If not your asking for some ripped pool table cloth.


Rob.M
 
dontlitethat said:
I think they will need to learn the mechanics of holding and stroking a pool stick properly so that it contacts to cue ball straight/flat/level... If not your asking for some ripped pool table cloth.


Rob.M
Click to expand...
I've not once in all my time playing cue sports ever seen a cloth rip. I've dug right into cloth with all my force on some shots and not even the slightest sign of tearing. This isn't meant to be a pool lesson, they can hold and stroke the cue as they wish, but I will ask them to respect their surroundings before anything else. I've mentioned to the owner id pay if anything gets damaged or what not.
 
let's keep it simple - cause they are only 10.

lineup the cue & 8B @ side pocket.
put backspin & sink the cue simultaneously.

then redo & use topspin.

ask them WHY....

(and yes, for God's sake, teach them how to NOT run the felt!!!!)
 
For some reason, kids get a kick out of this and it implies that everything
they will see has a logical explanation......

...Freeze 5 balls to a rail and each other....roll a ball at the combo...
...one ball goes in....take two balls and roll them at the combo...
..two balls go in......and so on.

It gives kids a respect for what's going on, and they want to learn more,
instead of just whacking them around.

I suspected you were a good guy, Pidge....kudos to you.

..but if one of them ends up giving you the 7 in a few years....
...serves you right.
:)
 
Instead of drawing chalk lines on the table.....why don't you get some colorful yarn and lay on the table and tape it down with scotch tape. The owner might appreciate that and the kids could see the yarn a lot better and see the angles better like that.
 
sfleinen said:
Pidge:

You should do fine sticking with the basics. Remember, the kids are there for syllabus reasons (i.e. learning about angles, etc.). They are not there to learn how to play pool, although that will be a side benefit from the syllabus. Stick with the basics -- talk about ghost ball (dummy ball) and how that solves the angle to pocket the ball, etc. Do not go into alternative aiming systems (i.e. CTE, etc.). While alternative aiming system enthusiasts will disagree, saying that the students would be immediately pocketing balls (and the other associated marketing blah blah), unless you can talk about *all* the math involved with said alternative aiming system, that's not why they are there. Remember, syllabus -- talk about the math, angles, etc. -- and demonstrate profusely, selecting a student as your control.

Of course, no pool hall outing with students is complete without some trick shots, so have some in your arsenal. You'll give them something to talk about when you set the balls up, and have a student (control) shoot the shot, "magically" sending multiple balls to pockets.

Most of all, make it fun! You'll do fine.
-Sean
Click to expand...
Good post Sean. I agree.

I would also show them the 90 and 30 degree rules and how stun/follow/draw work with a straight shot. You can talk about the spin and friction drag on the cloth or just let them see it.

Definitely use an Aramith measles ball for everything so the students can see the spin on the ball.

Here are some resources to help:

90 degree rule one-page summary
30 degree rule one page summary
stun, follow, draw one-page summary
basic kick and bank shot aiming system 2-page summary
famous and fun trick shots

Have fun, and report back to let us know how it went. Maybe you will have ideas for what others can do in similar situations.

Catch you later,
Dave
 
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Go to Melissa Little's website and contact her. She holds many clinics for kids and she has also incorporated pool to teach students.

Good luck!

Dave
 
yeah i am sure that would go over real good with their parents. Hey why not throw in a beer and a joint and ask them to play races to 3 for their lunch money....lol... and teach them math percentages by introducing them to the the local bookies....lol.... some things arent for kids, a pool hall would be one on my list. They could watch the old Donald Duck video and learn the banking angles and be good clean fun for a ten year old.
 
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