Developing the New Generation of Pocket Billiard Players - What Can We Do?

CJ Wiley

CJ Wiley

ESPN WORLD OPEN CHAMPION
Gold Member
Silver Member
Last year I set a goal to freely help every young player that's interested in improving their game, both mentally and physically. They can develop quickly with guidance because they have the key ingredients - Enthusiasm and Dedication. We're trying to set the sample-example, and hopefully many others will join in - it's a good cause - our Game depends on cooperation to thrive in the future.

This post today on Facebook makes the time, and commitment worthwhile - if anyone has a teenager that's wanting to learn, my time is complimentary and I'm available several hours a week (for groups, and/or private instruction and coaching).

PM me if there's interest, I live in the Dallas/Ft. Worth area and have a private training facility.

What will you do to help develop the next generation of players?

Like the Pledge of Allegiance, it starts with I, and always ends with ALL.

_________________________________________________________________________

Well, guys... After a year of playing in pool tournaments... Lots of "2 and outs", frustration, and (even though I don't like to admit it) tears..:sad: I am FINALLY starting to see the fruits of my labor.

At the beginning of last year, I could barely run three balls and, until recently, I never finished better than 5th place.
Wednesday night I took 4th place at the Rusty's Fort Worth tournament.. And last night I took 3rd at JJ's.

Thank you to all of my billiards friends that have offered helpful advice and support. Especially CJ Wiley and Stephen John (Steve Game) who have both helped shape my game and helped me improve so quickly. Couldn't have done any of this without y'all.
Here are my winnings from the tournaments.. $20 and two free one hour pool cards. It's not much but it's a start!! — :thumbup: feeling proud.
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Cami Lane - Representing the New Age of Pool
 
Nice work, CJ.

I have already experienced that a love of pool is contagious. For every new person brought into it, they will most likely bring a few more on their own and so on. It doesn't take much from each of us to trigger a revolution.
 
In before the CJ haters. Thanks CJ for what you do for the game and I try to do the same type of thing. I'm not a great player nor do I ever claim to be but I love pool. I don't know what it will take to make it more "viewable" or get it on tv for more people to see the pro's play but I love bringing new people into the game. In the last 3 years I've brought 4 new shooters in that have fallen in love with the game. I don't know how long we will have pro pool but I'm dmn certain with people like you and everyone else that helps players get better or even just brings a new banger to the game pool will never die.
 
My enthusiasm for pool is higher than it's ever been and it's because of you guys

Dockter said:
In before the CJ haters. Thanks CJ for what you do for the game and I try to do the same type of thing. I'm not a great player nor do I ever claim to be but I love pool. I don't know what it will take to make it more "viewable" or get it on tv for more people to see the pro's play but I love bringing new people into the game. In the last 3 years I've brought 4 new shooters in that have fallen in love with the game. I don't know how long we will have pro pool but I'm dmn certain with people like you and everyone else that helps players get better or even just brings a new banger to the game pool will never die.
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We will get the "master game," back on a major television network. We are polishing it up and getting it ready for the spotlight right now.....the pool world will never be the same.

My enthusiasm for pool is higher than ever, and it's because of you guys.

Thanks and Play Well, we can do this together, and someday look back and smile with satisfaction. The Game can't promote it's self, however, we have all the necessary tools.
 
We have several young veterans at the American Legion Post that I shoot at that have expressed an interest in really learning the details of the game from the older veterans (I guess they got tired of getting spanked at the table by us...lol). Anyway, they are all doing great and are now interested in joining the local leagues (both in-house and outside). It's kinda cool to see how far these guys have come and see the confidence in their faces as they get down to shoot on the table.

Mentoring and instruction to a whole new generation of players is what it's about to promote this game...good job CJ!
 
Hi CJ,

We were just this Tuesday talking about this at the Hall I frequent. Where would an under age, alcohol wise, go to even play pool in The New Orleans Area? The only place we could come up with was The Fox & Hound as it is a Restaurant. But the rates there are $12.00 per hour. So how often is that going to happen for some?

In the old days there were 2 to 4 sometimes 6 tables at the bowling alleys but how many bowling alleys exist today.

It seems the only other places we could think of were a few Country Clubs that have a ONE table & how often is a select few young people going to get on those tables.

The only answer that even seems remotely possible is schools but even that has problems.

I guess until a well to do individual that can afford it starts a loose money or break even franchise of youth centers it does not look good for the under alcohol age really young people that might want to play except for the residential tables that can get some use.

I don't mean to be a negative nelly but it's a tough issue. Maybe that spinning disc board can offer some early on solutions in an arcade environment.

I think it will take a diversified partnership to be built in order to advance the game for the truly young people.

In my hall, almost all of the older experienced players are willing to & even eager to help the young ones (21 & older) that come into the Hall or are playing leagues in the hall.

I see quite a lot of rather young people playing in the leagues but...they are 21 & over.

It's the really young ones that are left out.

Best Wishes for Success,
Rick
 
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Even check the retirement communities, they usually have a game room.

ENGLISH! said:
Hi CJ,

We were just this Tuesday talking about this at the Hall I frequent. Where would an under age, alcohol wise, go to even play pool in The New Orleans Area? The only place we could come up with was The Fox & Hound as it is a Restaurant. But the rates there are $12.00 per hour. So how often is that going to happen for some?


Best Wishes for Success,
Rick
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I wouldn't teach anyone in a public place that's under-age.

Many people have tables at their homes, where there's a will, there is a way to find a table. Even check the retirement communities, they usually have a game room.

Do what you can, no reason to discuss further, the action speaks louder than words.
 
Teaching a young girl that pool is about playing for money in bars? That's the "new generation of pocket billiard players"?
Thats not exactly what goes on when young people take golf or tennis lessons. Apples and oranges I guess.

CJ Wiley said:
Last year I set a goal to freely help every young player that's interested in improving their game, both mentally and physically. They can develop quickly with guidance because they have the key ingredients - Enthusiasm and Dedication. We're trying to set the sample-example, and hopefully many others will join in - it's a good cause - our Game depends on cooperation to thrive in the future.

This post today on Facebook makes the time, and commitment worthwhile - if anyone has a teenager that's wanting to learn, my time is complimentary and I'm available several hours a week (for groups, and/or private instruction and coaching).

PM me if there's interest, I live in the Dallas/Ft. Worth area and have a private training facility.

What will you do to help develop the next generation of players?

Like the Pledge of Allegiance, it starts with I, and always ends with ALL.

_________________________________________________________________________

10885232_10205956451975459_5556533529383795878_n.jpg
Cami Lane - Representing the New Age of Pool
Click to expand...
 
lost said:
Teaching a young girl that pool is about playing for money in bars? That's the "new generation of pocket billiard players"?
Thats not exactly what goes on when young people take golf or tennis lessons. Apples and oranges I guess.
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Playing in a tournament isn't the same as playing for money in bars..

FFS why do people have to piss on something good.
 
supergreenman said:
Playing in a tournament isn't the same as playing for money in bars..

FFS why do people have to piss on something good.
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Exactly! But as a nation we cheer kids playing for national championships in basketball and football, with full college scholarships (winnings). But a young girl can't cash in a tournament? Let's keep everything in perspective.
Great job, CJ!

In a few years this little guy will be looking for you.
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lost said:
Teaching a young girl that pool is about playing for money in bars? That's the "new generation of pocket billiard players"?
Thats not exactly what goes on when young people take golf or tennis lessons. Apples and oranges I guess.
Click to expand...

"Lost",,,, you truly are lost! With that said,,,, can you get lost??!!!
 
Cardigan Kid said:
Exactly! But as a nation we cheer kids playing for national championships in basketball and football, with full college scholarships (winnings). But a young girl can't cash in a tournament? Let's keep everything in perspective.
Great job, CJ!

In a few years this little guy will be looking for you.
20141108_222111.jpg
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Kid,

In the OLD days an underage 'child' was allowed to be in a bar as long as he of she was with one of their parents, at least in New Orleans.

At some point in time that changed.

My Dad took me to bowling alleys first & then to a hall that had a couples only room & the owner let us go into that room.

I think it would really be nice if High Schools had Billiards Clubs for competing against other schools sort or like the Chess Clubs. Even the rugby teams & bowling teams are classified as clubs in the N.O. area.

Maybe if CJ gets it back on major TV it will snowball.
 
CJ Wiley said:
Last year I set a goal to freely help every young player that's interested in improving their game, both mentally and physically. They can develop quickly with guidance because they have the key ingredients - Enthusiasm and Dedication. We're trying to set the sample-example, and hopefully many others will join in - it's a good cause - our Game depends on cooperation to thrive in the future.

This post today on Facebook makes the time, and commitment worthwhile - if anyone has a teenager that's wanting to learn, my time is complimentary and I'm available several hours a week (for groups, and/or private instruction and coaching).

PM me if there's interest, I live in the Dallas/Ft. Worth area and have a private training facility.

What will you do to help develop the next generation of players?

Like the Pledge of Allegiance, it starts with I, and always ends with ALL.

_________________________________________________________________________

10885232_10205956451975459_5556533529383795878_n.jpg
Cami Lane - Representing the New Age of Pool
Click to expand...

Awesome job CJ! The game could get so much bigger if the pros could mix it up with the lower level players! (Not talking about taking them for$$$) I've been saying this for many years now, if the better players help those that can barely hold a cue and get them to play just a tad better, you can suck people in!

I remember a few years ago I was practicing at a bowling alley where I used to play out ofand I remember there was this young couple who played 2-3 times a week there. One day they watched me doing my straight in stop shot drill. After 20-30 shots they came up to me and asked me why I was doing the same shot over and over? I told them this is how you practice! So we started talking and I showed them a couple things and I saw a couplemore times after and I helped both of them!:)

Well, about a week ago, I saw them at the bowling alley, they noticed me doing my straight shots and came over to say hello:) I asked how they were doing and of course if they are still playing. Well, they are, he is an apa skill 3 and she is a 4 breaking into the 5's! That made me feel so good:) I've helped many people and most did something with it! Joined a league, by a cue, and take a lesson with or 2 with some local pros!

If I was a great player,,,,, I would be like the biggest drug Lord in the world! I would have so many people addicted!

Again, good job CJ!!
 
Coaching young people on the game a passion of mine. I have learned that the mentor needs to patient with the youth of today. These kids have many options to keep their interests and I will be the first to admit pool is not the funnest thing that young folks can choose to occupy there free time with.

When I was growing up in the 60's and 70's the game was fascinating to many but internet, cell phones and video games have stole the show.

Many kids who show interest in the game early will often lose that interest later and often regain it in their early to mid twenties, then they are hooked:cool:
 
liakos said:
"Lost",,,, you truly are lost! With that said,,,, can you get lost??!!!
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Really? Kids playing for money...say in a summer baseball babe ruth league would strike you as fine? How about a trophy? You do know if this was anything besides pool, your status to play the sport in college would be done and over with, especially posing for a picture with a handful of cash.
 
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lost said:
Really? Kids playing for money...say in a summer baseball babe ruth league would strike you as fine? How about a trophy? You do know if this was anything besides pool, your status to play the sport in college would be done and over with.
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Your name suits you perfectly;)
 
I have about 20 kids we can send over to you. Send them back when they are pros and/or are done with college :)

https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=10202112038629773&set=vb.197627246955868&type=3&theater

Our Jr Worlds fundraiser for the two kids that qualified from our pool room
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/...48747157045.1073741889.197627246955868&type=1

Jr Nationals fundraiser

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.748055508579703.1073741877.197627246955868&type=1

Both events raised about $3,000 each for the kids. My son is in there playing piano :)

If you are ever traveling through East coast, stop by Ayer, MA where our junior league plays on Sundays.
 
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