I am captain of an APA 9 Ball team, and I would like to get some info on hiring a coach to come down on a Saturday or Sunday and have a class/clinic for the entire team. With the new guy joining next session our skill levels are 7,5,5,4,4,3,1,1. A couple of players, myself included, have hit a plateau and I would like to get my 1's up to 2 skill level. We play out of Freeport in Brazoria County. This would most likely be in about a month but I'd like to start finding out who's available and what the price bracket would be.
Any coaches for APA team around Houston?
- Thread starter txironhead
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Buy everyone a cue that hits a ton (also needs to be a monster). Next, purchase and learn TOI, along with Perfect Aim :thumbup:. In addition, bring a laptop and watch some of Tor's videos (being serious now). Your guaranteed a championship in 3 yrs or less. Also, between these sessions you all need to be working hard on the HAMB technique.
An apa.captain who.is looking for help.in improving his team. Unheard of on this forum. Kudos to you .
I dont know how strong your 7 is but he should be able to give your 5's and 4's a few pointers to improve their game. A 7 is more than capable of coaching 1's. Good luck in your quest.
I dont know how strong your 7 is but he should be able to give your 5's and 4's a few pointers to improve their game. A 7 is more than capable of coaching 1's. Good luck in your quest.
Hillbilly. Charlie Bryant
I tell every person on my team if they sandbag they get one warning, then they're gone second offense. I have a couple of players that are comfortable at the level they are. The rest want to be the best they can. If that means having to let some people get higher levels and be forced to restructure and have them start another team, they understand that. I was a 3 in both 8 and 9 forever, now I'm a 5 in both after pushing myself to grow. Now I'm shooting for 6. I want my teammates to experience the rush of winning a MVP or Top Gun patch.
The 7 is new to the team, I'm the only one that has known him for a bit. We'll see how good a coach he is. I've had maxed number captains that couldn't coach low numbers because they couldn't "dumb it down" to a 1 or even 3 level. I saw one of my old captains the other night trying to get a 3 to do a hard curve masse shot....she missed and opened up the table for her opponent. I'm hoping this guy can pull it off as far as coaching a hard shot on a time out. But someone that knows how to analyze a player's potential and skill and spot their shortcomings and bad habits and teach them how to overcome them would be invaluable to my team.
Appreciate the input so far!
straightdraw65
Banned
Some captains who coach can be strange.
The following really happened in one of our games once.
The player had cueball in hand after the opponent scratched.
The captain had her shooting a shot, with cueball in hand, using the mechanical bridge. (she missed)
She didn't know any better and none of us made a sound because he was like a tyrant.
That's a true story.
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Your current team numbers gives you room to add a 8 or 9 even if alternating weeks.
Here in the Austin area it can be hard at times to find a team with skill level room for a 8/9; there may be a few available there.
Your current tournament line-up looks like 7, 5, 4, 4, 3; you have a backup 5 but if/when either of your 4s or 3 goes up, you have to play a one...got to get them ready.
As for coaching, like you mentioned, not all high skill levels coach well; additionally, not all lower levels receive coaching well.
So much can be learned by actually studying the game but they have to want learn. Personally, I always enjoy helping people that are willing to help themselves but it's less enjoyable dragging someone along.
I notice this every week; here are a few pointed questions:
* What are your lower skill level players doing on league nights while higher level players are shooting?
* How many of them are actually watching/learning vs playing on their phones, chasing shot specials, or forming the line at practice tables?
* How often do they ask questions about a shot or position; did they even see or make a note of a question to ask?
* Do they show up a early for a little practice, just in time, or late?
Years ago our team would challenge the non-shooting players to take at least one note or picture of a shot/position during a match to learn or teach, one snap shot where a defense would/should be a given vs a tough shot that would sellout the remaining rack (even if the opposing player didn't/couldn't). Something we still do from time to time and/or with new players.
When a table layout involves some strategy vs running balls, consider having yourself and your 7 use your timeout as coaching for your 1s/3s. Get them involved in the thought process, ask them what they would do, show them what you are going to do and why. Keep it really short as if you were in a tournament; 60 seconds during a rack well spent as long as you can handle the break in rhythm/routine... not always easy to do but there is a lot of potential benefit.
I guess what I am saying is that learning/coaching goes both ways, someone that has been playing many for years may need (or even want) to be asked the questions.
If you can find a 8/9 that also has a son/daughter that plays...they will know exactly how to help... all four of my adult kids play, two of them fell for it as I did many years ago.
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Yes, kudos for reaching out.
However, it is often better to have someone outside of the circle of teammates providing coaching or cueing instruction.
JoeyA
The student MUST have skin the game. Have them PAY for coaching lessons, don't just pay for them.
JoeyA
JoeyA
I would be available to come to Houston and work with your team. Cost for the team is $1000 for an 8-hr day (plus table time). This is for up to six team members. Everybody gets video analysis and personal instruction. You choose where the lesson will be, but there needs to be one table per team member. I have done many team lessons like this successfully all over the country, for teams playing APA, BCAPL, VNEA, and TAP. Your complete satisfaction is guaranteed. If you're interested, PM me with your name and phone number, so we can talk details.
Scott Lee
http://poolknowledge.com
Scott Lee
http://poolknowledge.com
One of my ones is struggling with babysitter issues but the other is married to one of the 4s, they both show up nearly an hour early and he is coaching her. He is improving, will probably be a 5 soon and has good fundamentals, and they both take coaching well.
The other 4, well......sigh. He'll pop up during a shot, or rush a shot, or not sight it out properly. I'll tell him what he's doing wrong, and he'll improve a couple of shots and go right back to whatever bad habit he has that night. He's been a 4 as long as I've known him, and I'm wondering if he isn't doing it to stay a 4. It's something that I've been watching.
I will definitely NOT be paying for the whole thing. The cost will be divided among the team. Every player but the one with babysitter issues loves the idea and is willing to pitch in, and she's just worried about affording it.
I will try to have my players watching the match for multiple reasons, but I also occasionally send a player to warm up on a table with one of the 5s to judge how they're playing that night or to teach them a little. Most of the time my entire team is there at least 30 minutes early. This is easily the closest-knit team I've ever been on. Every new member is voted on by the team, and I'm more concerned with how the person "fits" the team than anything. We have a good camaraderie.
While some of our players are parents, the oldest kid any of them has is about 13, so not a lot of help in the teaching department there.
I find it ironic that the 1s will ask for a timeout if they need it, as will the 5s, it's the 3 and 4's that I occasionally want to smack upside the head for either not calling or resenting when I call one.
straightdraw65, I have seen that exact thing happen. Takes all kinds I guess.
Scott Lee, thanks for the offer, I will toss the info at the team and see what sticks.
Have you read.it ?
Yes, I have read it., which is why I recommended it to the OP. AFAIK, this is the only book on the subject. If you're aware of another, then please share.
FWIW, I lent it to a former co-worker. As captain of his team he validated some of the strategies in the book. He learned on his own and spent 2 years refining. He picked up a couple of tips, which help his team beat out and win the coveted trip to APA Nationals in Las Vegas.
A topic that the book doesn't cover is how to pay to bring your family after you win the the free trip to Las Vegas. His team members spent on average $3k+ to bring their families.
FWIW, I lent it to a former co-worker. As captain of his team he validated some of the strategies in the book. He learned on his own and spent 2 years refining. He picked up a couple of tips, which help his team beat out and win the coveted trip to APA Nationals in Las Vegas.
A topic that the book doesn't cover is how to pay to bring your family after you win the the free trip to Las Vegas. His team members spent on average $3k+ to bring their families.
I understand the restraints, family commitments etc of players; that's why APA allows 8 players. I am well past the days of having school children but years ago it seemed every school play or special event was purposely scheduled on league nights...lol. Those cut into my BCA nights but I could always play late in APA.
As far as your player that pops up on his shots; that's a tough habit to stop. The best luck I've had is on play back of recorded matches; let him see it for himself vs being told.
The resentment you mention is a huge issue...especially for a (as you said) "close-knit team"...it's pointless and counter productive!
There needs to be a meeting of the minds here ASAP.
I would recommend to first always ask the player what their plan is and if your opinion defers from theirs, make the recommendation...i.e. "here is what I was thinking". Always attempt to add that you support what they decide.
As a 5 your best bet in a timeout is to provide help for the 1s/2s and options/advice for 3s/4s and up...
More to the point...
Them resenting your calling a timeout actually isn't a overly uncommon thing at mid skill levels but let's face it:
* it makes you potentially refrain from calling one when you should,
* or they simply don't think you are providing them value,
* and/or they believe they know better and thus (they think) you are only sharking them.
Neither of these are a good things; might consider a team meeting and get everything out on the table. If you intend to keep the team together and functioning well, it may even be better to let those players call their own timeouts or maybe they will be more inclined to make use of your new incoming 7.
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Charlie Bryant (Hillbilly) is a very good instructor in the Houston area. I also know people that have taken lessons from Ernesto Bayuya who say he teaches very well.
I have contact info for them both if you want it - just PM me.
I have contact info for them both if you want it - just PM me.