I'm looking for advice on how to teach pool to kids. Specifically, different strategies for 7-9 year olds, 10-12 year olds and teens.
Teens seem to be able to be taught on a more adult level--teaching them english and tangent lines and such doesn't seem to be a problem. What I normally do is first get them to stay down on the ball and try to get them to have a smooth consistent stroke through the cue ball. Then I teach them the stop shot, then how the cueball reacts along a tangent line with a center ball hit, then follow, then draw. I then set them up with drills to use each to try to get from one shot to the next. Then finally I get them to throw a handful of balls on the table and look for patterns--take ball in hand and try to get out using just centerball, follow, draw, and speed control to set up the next shot. I've not gotten much into left/right english yet, as I want them to be very good at centerball hits before moving onto that stuff.
Anything I'm missing? For a next step I was thinking of then going to small rotation games, like running four balls in order, and then getting into 8ball patterns and such. Better ideas?
The 10-12 year olds on the other hand are very hit or miss. A few seem to understand the concepts as well as the teens, but of course don't implement them as well. And some just seem to nod their heads and then bang on the balls randomly just as they always did. What can I do to help teach them? What sort of expectations should I even have?
As for the 7-9 year olds, they basically just bang around on the table and are just happy if an adult is there giving them encouragement. Maybe one or two are willing and able to try to develop their game more, but most don't seem very receptive, and somewhat sensitive, so I'm not sure I should do anything other than say good shot the rare time they make a ball, good try the rest of the time, and maybe try to get them not to hit so hard.
Anyways, any and all suggestions are welcome, just wanted to share a summary of where I'm at. Thanks in advance.
Teens seem to be able to be taught on a more adult level--teaching them english and tangent lines and such doesn't seem to be a problem. What I normally do is first get them to stay down on the ball and try to get them to have a smooth consistent stroke through the cue ball. Then I teach them the stop shot, then how the cueball reacts along a tangent line with a center ball hit, then follow, then draw. I then set them up with drills to use each to try to get from one shot to the next. Then finally I get them to throw a handful of balls on the table and look for patterns--take ball in hand and try to get out using just centerball, follow, draw, and speed control to set up the next shot. I've not gotten much into left/right english yet, as I want them to be very good at centerball hits before moving onto that stuff.
Anything I'm missing? For a next step I was thinking of then going to small rotation games, like running four balls in order, and then getting into 8ball patterns and such. Better ideas?
The 10-12 year olds on the other hand are very hit or miss. A few seem to understand the concepts as well as the teens, but of course don't implement them as well. And some just seem to nod their heads and then bang on the balls randomly just as they always did. What can I do to help teach them? What sort of expectations should I even have?
As for the 7-9 year olds, they basically just bang around on the table and are just happy if an adult is there giving them encouragement. Maybe one or two are willing and able to try to develop their game more, but most don't seem very receptive, and somewhat sensitive, so I'm not sure I should do anything other than say good shot the rare time they make a ball, good try the rest of the time, and maybe try to get them not to hit so hard.
Anyways, any and all suggestions are welcome, just wanted to share a summary of where I'm at. Thanks in advance.
I still use this handicap but they must play 8 ball last pocket and I don't. They are improving faster from playing me then drills and its more enjoyable. Not to mention what has happened to my game
