Coaching APA team

[Texas3cushion]

What do you team players love and hate to hear from your team captain?

Is there something you wish your captain would do that he/she doesn't?

Also team captains if you have something to offer that would help other captains. Chime in!

 

[Maniac]

Also team captains if you have something to offer that would help other captains. Chime in!

If you captain a team, do not: 1.) let a player insist they play first every week.
2.) have a player ever fail to play for more than two league nights in a row.
3.) let a player get in the habit of not paying for his/her match on league night.
4.) let a player (especially a low-skilled one) tell you that they do not want you to call time outs on them.
5.) let/insist a player sandbag.

Do this as captain: 1.) have/teach all teammates to keep score.
2.) let someone (especially a working person) know as soon as possible if that person won't be playing on any given night so they may go home at a decent hour.
3.) make sure your teammates understand the rules and play fairly and honestly by them.
4.) have your players practice good sportsmanship.
5.) make sure your teammates understand that winning an APA league match is not akin to winning the U.S. Open and act with accordingly after winning.


There is probably many I am missing, but this is a good start. You'll figure it out a lot quicker than you think you will.

 

[tonyboy59]

I was a team captain on multiple occasions (usually because the current team captain quit). Thankless job...drama like you would never believe from "adults". Now, I just show up and play my matches and watch the show without being the ring master.

Not to dissuade anyone from being a captain, just make sure you have thick skin, a lot of patience and extra money for those who can't pay.

 

[Texas Carom Club]

I captained a team for two seasons but I was super spoiled I had all dedicated players that had no issue showing up or otherwise
Man that was a great team

 

[Island Drive]

Have fun, learn the likes and dislikes of each 2-legged animal, groom em and go from there.
Make sure they all know the league, Rules.

 

[DeeDeeCues]

It's apa. Most teams don't have someone qualified to do much coaching.

When I was in the apa, I was by far the best player in my team. I was asked by a girl for coaching one time. She was basically screwed and looking for advice. I asked her what she thought her best option was, pointed out a couple of more, explained the pitfalls, then told her to have fun.

She told me that the 'have fun' was the best advice I could have given her.

Let's face it, apa has a ton of asshats, you won't make money playing, what else is there besides having fun?

 

[buckshotshoey]

It's apa. Most teams don't have someone qualified to do much coaching.

When I was in the apa, I was by far the best player in my team. I was asked by a girl for coaching one time. She was basically screwed and looking for advice. I asked her what she thought her best option was, pointed out a couple of more, explained the pitfalls, then told her to have fun.

She told me that the 'have fun' was the best advice I could have given her.

Let's face it, apa has a ton of asshats, you won't make money playing, what else is there besides having fun?

Yep. When I'm asked to give a coach, I first ask what are they thinking they should do, offer an alternative and tell them to do what feels comfortable.

 

[DeeDeeCues]

Yep. When I'm asked to give a coach, I first ask what are they thinking they should do, offer an alternative and tell them to do what feels comfortable.

I always laughed at the people who were trying to teach a player new skills during a timeout. Guess what, Steve? Jenny has never drawn a ball over six inches in her life, now you are asking her to draw three feet with left? All you've done is confuse her and added pressure. Brilliant!

 

[DeeDeeCues]

As for coaching in the APA, I would never stop a game to coach a player, that is a recipe for disaster.

Combine that with the fact that 99% of the time the shot someone needs advice on is the shot before they ask, and you might as well assume that you should never coach a player during a match.

 

[jokrswylde]

What do you team players love and hate to hear from your team captain?

Is there something you wish your captain would do that he/she doesn't?

Also team captains if you have something to offer that would help other captains. Chime in!

Maniac had some great advice. To piggyback here are a Couple of things I've learned from 20+ years of coaching athletics and almost 7 straight as APA captain:

1. Encourage each member to strive to improve to the level THEY want to be. No sandbagging BS. And let everyone know that timeouts are a part of the game and will be called if needed.

2. If at all possible, nobody sits 2 weeks in a row.

3. Try and give everyone "winnable" matches as much as possible. No matter how the handicap favors you, no 2, 3, or 4 enjoys getting their brains beat in week in and week out by 6's and 7's.

4. Try and create a true "team" vibe. On our team chat, we celebrate birthdays, set up practice sessions, discuss and share links to pro events, in other words, we try to be involved with each others lives outside the pool hall.

5. Identify a strong co-captain, but even so, plan a few nights per session where you aren't there. Reach out to a different team member each time and ask them to run things for you. A. it helps give them ownership, B. It gives them a small taste of what you go through each week, and C. if your team is good it will likely split/change. Experienced captains help everyone in the league.

6. Try to let them know every week or so that you appreciate their dedication, hard work, and willingness to show up and grind every week. Many folks respond well to a simple, personal gesture of appreciation

7. If there is a problem or bad team member, get rid of them as soon as it is evident they aren't changing. Don't let them spoil everyone els's good time.

 

[jokrswylde]

As for coaching in the APA, I would never stop a game to coach a player, that is a recipe for disaster.

Combine that with the fact that 99% of the time the shot someone needs advice on is the shot before they ask, and you might as well assume that you should never coach a player during a match.

I disagree. Low level players don't know basic things like tangent lines in many cases. Time outs have prevented dozens of my folks scratching on th 8 ball. Timeouts are also useful in a match to point out defensive shots....most newbs are 100% offense all the time, rail contact points for kick shots and banks, etc.

I agree timeouts are not great for pointing out things like pinpoint positions. Heck I will call timeout and discuss entire runout patterns with my 7 before I have even taken a shot. Just to see if we are seeing the same things.

 

[Justaneng]

Do keep a good group text going for logistics and team building, but keep in mind some players may be annoyed if it becomes a 40 text per day meme thread.

Encourage SL-2 and SL-3 to use time outs when they have BIH and 3 or less balls left on the table (they have 2 time outs so they’ll still have one left). Similarly discoursge or refuse time outs when people are hooked so bad Fedor Gorst couldn’t kick his way out of it.

The different skill level groups are actually playing different games entirely:

For the SL-2 vs. SL-2 twelve inning slop off, both players will make it to the 8 ball, and 9 times out of 10 the winner is the one that cleans up after the first person to try the 8 rattles it. If your player is looking at a 6 foot cut shot for the win, it may be better just to teach them to bunt it to a rail.

For SL-3 through 5, these players will have obvious strengths and weaknesses, and your opponents weaknesses can be exploited. Some things to look out for: (1) Always lining up BIH with no angle, (2) Attempting a power draw with BIH, (3) Sinking the obvious key ball because it’s an easier shot, (4) Saving any clusters until last. The better they are as a shotmaker, the more their other weaknesses as a player will show up.

For SL-6 or 7: This should be more the traditional game where it’s just player vs table.

 

[Black-Balled]

I like to ask them if they aim

 

[DeeDeeCues]

I like to ask them if they aim

Or just have them reevaluate why they are even bothering to sully our beautiful game, then suggest they go home to play angry birds.

 

[Rickhem]

99% of the time the shot someone needs advice on is the shot before they ask

Those words are golden right there!
Can't tell you how many times I watch team mates work their way through the innings and bite my tongue on that last ball before the 8, only to watch them leave themselves hung up for the 8, and call the time out then.

And as captain of our 9 ball team too, where many of the same things apply, a principle that I can't seem to effectively communicate to the lower skill level players is to make sure BIH gets you more than one ball. As Justaneng said, lining up BIH with no angle, or only shooting to the closest pocket, often leaves them blocked for their next shot. A 2 or a 3 with BIH could really up their win rate by making 2 balls whenever that happens.

Another interesting phenomena is how a 2 or a 3 will win a couple games when you have them play a defensive shot, so they then shift their strategy to total defense. And after the other player gets beat that way, and decides to fight fire with fire, well there's your 18 inning snooze fest on deck.

Lots of really good tips here though. We have a group text for both teams, and I'll send out reminders for where we are playing that night, and who we'll be playing. It helps get everyone's mind going. Leads to a few responses, and better team camaraderie as well.

 

[Justaneng]

And as captain of our 9 ball team too, where many of the same things apply, a principle that I can't seem to effectively communicate to the lower skill level players is to make sure BIH gets you more than one ball. As Justaneng said, lining up BIH with no angle, or only shooting to the closest pocket, often leaves them blocked for their next shot. A 2 or a 3 with BIH could really up their win rate by making 2 balls whenever that happens

Funny enough for me the SL-2’s will listen (and I’ve had one SL-3 that really wants to learn that’s been on a few of my teams).

The other SL-3’s though seem to think that since they can beat a few of their completely non-playing friends that they are good at pool and can’t use advice.

The worst I had was an SL-3 who was lining up BIH and it looks like he was going for a precision draw, where he would have needed to pull it back exactly 3-3.5 ft. I called time out and tried to get him to put an angle on it and follow it into a 2x2 Diamond open area, but he said “he was more comfortable with draw”. Lo and behold he draws it 6 inches and is hooked.

 

[smiling_Hans]

I know a lot of these fools love to captain teams more than playing.

Real life monopoly. It's like real life fantasy football. They love to matchup players but the fun part is building a team.

 

[Black-Balled]

Or just have them reevaluate why they are even bothering to sully our beautiful game, then suggest they go home to play angry birds.

Bullseye!

 

[justadub]

If you captain a team, do not: 1.) let a player insist they play first every week.
2.) have a player ever fail to play for more than two league nights in a row.
3.) let a player get in the habit of not paying for his/her match on league night.
4.) let a player (especially a low-skilled one) tell you that they do not want you to call time outs on them.
5.) let/insist a player sandbag.

Do this as captain: 1.) have/teach all teammates to keep score.
2.) let someone (especially a working person) know as soon as possible if that person won't be playing on any given night so they may go home at a decent hour.
3.) make sure your teammates understand the rules and play fairly and honestly by them.
4.) have your players practice good sportsmanship.
5.) make sure your teammates understand that winning an APA league match is not akin to winning the U.S. Open and act with accordingly after winning.


There is probably many I am missing, but this is a good start. You'll figure it out a lot quicker than you think you will.

All of this.

Some additional thoughts... Learn whether or not "playing up" or "playing down" bothers certain players on your team. Explain to them that many times it's unavoidable, but having it in the back of your mind allows you to put your players in the best possible situation. (If they go into a match already uncomfortable because of playing up/down, it won't help.)

Believe it or not, find out if your player has a block against playing ladies, particularly older men. (I have one guy on my team that subconsciously plays worse against ladies. He's not an ogre, just let's down some) That doesnt stop us from playing him against ladies, it is just another variable we use when deciding on matchups. All this stuff is a part of getting to know your players. There are likely many other quirks to be aware of.

I try and look at the roster of my opponents team before arriving at the pool room, and to have a basic idea of who I want to play. You can't be married to any plans, but if you have an idea going in, it takes less time to make a decision. Once I arrive, I immediately start to try and see how many of my opponents team are present, since that can affect who they throw. Obviously, players can arrive as the evening goes on, but if a particular player isn't present, that can affect your strategy.

Encourage your players to load the APA app on their phones and to create an account. Often they can get answers to many questions on their own there. They can see schedules, etc. And the rule book is available there, for everyone.

I'm sure there are a lot more things that I'll think of later.

Most importantly, try to insure that everyone knows its supposed to be fun. Yes, we can all be unhappy with our own performances, but we should all be having fun, playing pool, and enjoying the time there. If you're not having fun, why on earth would you spend the time and money? Construct your team with that in mind. If you have to deal with people who take away "the fun", then it becomes work, for all involved.

 

[tonyboy59]

As for coaching in the APA, I would never stop a game to coach a player, that is a recipe for disaster.

Combine that with the fact that 99% of the time the shot someone needs advice on is the shot before they ask, and you might as well assume that you should never coach a player during a match.

Man, that second sentence is soooo true....