Giving lessons to an APA2, where to start?

hobokenapa

hobokenapa

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
The title says it all really. I'm going to be giving lessons to an APA2 who is keen to learn, but obviously has A LOT to learn. What is the best approach? Do I just concentrate on stop shots, technique, any ideas? It can't be too complicated or dull because as a new player, I have to keep it fun to maintain her interest.

Thanks!
 
I recommend the Byrnes videos to all beginners...even the book is good as well.

Just look up Robert Byrnes I believe is how you spell it. Great for every pool player I think.

Shorty
 
hobokenapa said:
The title says it all really. I'm going to be giving lessons to an APA2 who is keen to learn, but obviously has A LOT to learn. What is the best approach? Do I just concentrate on stop shots, technique, any ideas? It can't be too complicated or dull because as a new player, I have to keep it fun to maintain her interest.

Thanks!
Click to expand...

Shorty, it's "Byrne"...there's only one of him. :)

What is her major goal, re pool? Without knowing that, you have no idea where to start or where to go. Maybe she just wants to be good enough to attract men, for example.

You both can waste a lot of time if the major goals aren't set beforehand.

Jeff Livingston
 
chefjeff said:
Shorty, it's "Byrne"...there's only one of him. :)

What is her major goal, re pool? Without knowing that, you have no idea where to start or where to go. Maybe she just wants to be good enough to attract men, for example.

You both can waste a lot of time if the major goals aren't set beforehand.

Jeff Livingston
Click to expand...

Thanks Jeff...I was truly unsure...I just know his videos and book are a great starter for a person just getting into pool.

Shorty
 
I just finished a session with 6 2's on the roster so I can relate. This is definitely going to test your patience.
Make sure you start at the VERY beginning and help them develop a solid bridge hand of some sort. Then work on a reasonably solid stroke. Without these 2 things, your wasting your time and will go crazy trying to help them. Once they have that somewhat under control, you can start with stop shots and work your way into other things. And remember, they don't have to have a textbook bridge or stroke. Just something workable that is repeatable.
Also, make sure you get yourselves away from other people to avoid all distractions. Keep it simple and don't expect miracles right away. From my experiences, this plan of attack works pretty well with someone who wants to learn.
Good luck with this. If you pull it off, it will be very rewarding for you. It feels great to help those who really want the help.
 
set balls in the pocketsand have her try to make more than 1 per shot. Teaches to hit the ball on the correct side, as well as carom in/ out angles.
 
hobokenapa said:
The title says it all really. I'm going to be giving lessons to an APA2 who is keen to learn, but obviously has A LOT to learn. What is the best approach? Do I just concentrate on stop shots, technique, any ideas? It can't be too complicated or dull because as a new player, I have to keep it fun to maintain her interest.

Thanks!
Click to expand...

This is the first year I've been coaching(felt I needed to work being more confident in shot selection) you've got to remember skill level during matches and don't think they will see shots you see. Sometimes building confidence in the easy stuff will make them less unsure and more able to take instruction later on when they're actually comfy at the table.
Also nice to see a coach that doesn't want his 2s to stay 2s. :p
 
Start with the fundamentals: stance, grip, bridge, stroke.

Stance - find something comfortable, which allows the grip arm to swing freely and the head to be aligned. You may also have to take into account the "boob" factor (not trying to be funny, it's just a fact of life). Allow her head to naturally go where it wants to go - don't force her to have her chin on the cue, or under a certain eye. I've found that just playing with foot alignment will cause everything to fall into place.

Grip - again, find something comfortable, but avoid the "death grip" at all costs. Stress the importance of a loose grip, one which allows the wrist to move and compensate naturally to keep the stroke level. Proper grip location is dictated by height, arm length, bridge length, etc. Ideally, grip location will allow the cue to contact the CB when the forearm is perpendicular to the floor.

Bridge - an oft-overlooked fundamental. Make sure that she knows that, whenever possible, the entire hand should be on the bed of the table (lots of beginners like to have the heel of their bridge hand up, for whatever reason). Start with the open bridge, concentrating on a well-formed V, with a rock-solid foundation formed by full contact between hand and table.

Stroke - practice makes perfect. This is not something anyone is going to learn in a week or two. Concentrate on allowing the cue to flow naturally. Don't try to control the cue through the stroke (too tense). Allow the cue to come to a natural stop (no herky-jerky). There should be a defined transition from address, to backswing, to forwardswing.

Having a solid foundation in the fundamentals is paramount. You don't want to work on a shot, then adjust one of the above - the player will have to re-learn the shot. Start with the basics, then work from there. It's a cliche, true, but before you can walk, you must learn to crawl.

-djb
 
hobokenapa said:
The title says it all really. I'm going to be giving lessons to an APA2 who is keen to learn, but obviously has A LOT to learn. What is the best approach? Do I just concentrate on stop shots, technique, any ideas? It can't be too complicated or dull because as a new player, I have to keep it fun to maintain her interest.

Thanks!
Click to expand...

It is very tough but also very rewarding to see them progress to the next level. I will say, this is one reason I don't like the APA, in that you want your players to do well and grow but then you have the dilemma of breaking up your team.
All I can say is, don't get discouraged if it seems like they are not picking it up. These things take time and all the hard work will eventually reveal itself.
Heck, one of my 2's last session actually took out a fairly strong 6. Absolutely won't happen all the time but I could definitely tell she listens and that's all I can ask for. She is now nicknamed "The 6 slayer". :)

Koop
 
dogginda9 said:
I just finished a session with 6 2's on the roster so I can relate. This is definitely going to test your patience.
Make sure you start at the VERY beginning and help them develop a solid bridge hand of some sort. Then work on a reasonably solid stroke. Without these 2 things, your wasting your time and will go crazy trying to help them. Once they have that somewhat under control, you can start with stop shots and work your way into other things. And remember, they don't have to have a textbook bridge or stroke. Just something workable that is repeatable.
Also, make sure you get yourselves away from other people to avoid all distractions. Keep it simple and don't expect miracles right away. From my experiences, this plan of attack works pretty well with someone who wants to learn.
Good luck with this. If you pull it off, it will be very rewarding for you. It feels great to help those who really want the help.
Click to expand...

Tim,

I couldn't agree more with what dogginda9 said. I wish someone had showed me a proper bridge, stance and stroke when I first started. It wasn't until I took a lesson in January that I learned this stuff. Then, it took me about 3 months to get used to it all and break my bad habits.

Another 'drill' that will help is to have her aim center cue ball and shoot it up table then have it come back to her tip. You'll be amazed at how many new players can't do it. This drill will help her consistently hit the center of the cue ball.
 
hobokenapa said:
The title says it all really. I'm going to be giving lessons to an APA2 who is keen to learn, but obviously has A LOT to learn. What is the best approach? Do I just concentrate on stop shots, technique, any ideas? It can't be too complicated or dull because as a new player, I have to keep it fun to maintain her interest.

Thanks!
Click to expand...
You also have to keep in mind that what is good for one player is not always good for another. I tried to teach a two for a while, and I had no luck. Finally I realized that I was putting him in a strain while shooting (he is very overweight). After I realized that, and let him do it "his way", he quickly became a three, and could possibly be a four someday soon.
There is nothing quite like the feeling of seeing someone draw the ball back, on purpose, for the first time.
Also remember, patience is a virtue. This is something that we all need to work on, especially when dealing with new players.
 
I taught a university pool class a while back that drew almost entirely complete beginners and have gotten a number of 2's up to 3-4 speed. Here's a few things I've learned. (I'm writing with a brand new 2 who's never really shot in mind.)

* Simple. Very simple. Only center ball hits (move on to a stop shot as soon as she's ready). Only teach her "shape" in the sense of which ball to shoot first. I.e. "If you hit the 3 you get stuck. But if you start with the 7 then you get natural shape for the 3, maybe even the 5 after that." By keeping it simple, you're setting attainable goals, which makes it more fun for her to achieve. (I think this is really important.) You'll ratchet those goals up over time, perhaps without her even realizing it.

* Bridge. Open or closed as she prefers, or whichever looks more stable. All else equal, open is probably better. Do teach her the rail bridge asap (i.e., cue slides along the thumb with a finger on either side of it.) Most 2's do best with the rail bridge and it makes what might otherwise be tough shots easier.

* Breaks: 2's can get really frustrated with them. I have them use the rail bridge, CB dead center, about 8" off the head rail. Tell them all that matters is a full hit on the front ball, not the speed. It's surprising how good a spread you can get with a fairly soft, but full, hit.

* Safeties: most 2's are going to have a hard time controlling their speed, so will often not safe well even when they try. So I think they're better off pocketing balls whenever they can. They'll pick up on safeties over time from watching matches and your coaches. Another reason I wouldn't tell a 2 to look for safeties is that it's one more possible source of confusion.

* Stroke: This is a tough one. A lot of 2's will have a side arm stroke or curl their wrist a lot. If you fix those, they'll be going through a checklist on every shot (back arm pointing down? check. wrist straight? check.) This is probably a good thing, but it can really slow the match down and suck some of the fun out of the match for the new player. If her goal is just to get decent (3-4 speed), I would probably let that slide and just focus on getting her to stay down on the shots and have a relatively smooth stroke, but not worry about the mechanics too much.

* Aiming: Ghost ball seems to work pretty well for beginers. Have her place the ghost ball so she'll start seeing the lines. Then have her get down on the shot and when she's ready, you remove the ghost ball and then she shoots.

Good luck.
Cory
 
Tell Darren to first stop playing with a bridge with the claw broken off and try using a cue instead. :D

In all seriousness, help them develop their bridge hand and get them in the habit of staying down through each stroke. Stuff like that is hard to fix later.
 
hobokenapa said:
The title says it all really. I'm going to be giving lessons to an APA2 who is keen to learn, but obviously has A LOT to learn. What is the best approach?
Click to expand...

start at $2 a game and after the 2nd month, move to $5.
 
DoomCue said:
Start with the fundamentals: stance, grip, bridge, stroke.

Stance - find something comfortable, which allows the grip arm to swing freely and the head to be aligned. You may also have to take into account the "boob" factor (not trying to be funny, it's just a fact of life). Allow her head to naturally go where it wants to go - don't force her to have her chin on the cue, or under a certain eye. I've found that just playing with foot alignment will cause everything to fall into place.

Grip - again, find something comfortable, but avoid the "death grip" at all costs. Stress the importance of a loose grip, one which allows the wrist to move and compensate naturally to keep the stroke level. Proper grip location is dictated by height, arm length, bridge length, etc. Ideally, grip location will allow the cue to contact the CB when the forearm is perpendicular to the floor.

Bridge - an oft-overlooked fundamental. Make sure that she knows that, whenever possible, the entire hand should be on the bed of the table (lots of beginners like to have the heel of their bridge hand up, for whatever reason). Start with the open bridge, concentrating on a well-formed V, with a rock-solid foundation formed by full contact between hand and table.

Stroke - practice makes perfect. This is not something anyone is going to learn in a week or two. Concentrate on allowing the cue to flow naturally. Don't try to control the cue through the stroke (too tense). Allow the cue to come to a natural stop (no herky-jerky). There should be a defined transition from address, to backswing, to forwardswing.

Having a solid foundation in the fundamentals is paramount. You don't want to work on a shot, then adjust one of the above - the player will have to re-learn the shot. Start with the basics, then work from there. It's a cliche, true, but before you can walk, you must learn to crawl.

-djb
Click to expand...

David: I will be around Raleigh all next week. Where's a great place to play pool??...randyg
 
davidhop said:
You also have to keep in mind that what is good for one player is not always good for another. I tried to teach a two for a while, and I had no luck. Finally I realized that I was putting him in a strain while shooting (he is very overweight). After I realized that, and let him do it "his way", he quickly became a three, and could possibly be a four someday soon.
There is nothing quite like the feeling of seeing someone draw the ball back, on purpose, for the first time.
Also remember, patience is a virtue. This is something that we all need to work on, especially when dealing with new players.
Click to expand...

David: Did you get the info about School in Charlotte???..randyg
 
randyg said:
David: Did you get the info about School in Charlotte???..randyg
Click to expand...
Yes I did. I am trying to see if I can get off work. I will let you know as soon as I know something. In the meantime, if you have someone else in mind, feel free to let them have the spot. I am easy to get along with, and I can always catch it the next time around.
 
randyg said:
David: I will be around Raleigh all next week. Where's a great place to play pool??...randyg
Click to expand...
Hands down, the best room is Babineau's. All the tables were just recovered 2 weeks ago with 860, and all but 4 of their 16 tables are GC IVs. Be warned though, get there early. It's tough to get a table after 5:00 pm, especially on Wednesdays (28 league teams). PM me, maybe we can exchange numbers and meet up to hit some.

-djb
 
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