New shooter - son

[guelphdad]

Took my son out to play a bit of 8 and 9 ball for the first time on Friday. He made a few, missed a few, let him push out from the rail so he could practice shooting without having to shoot off the rail right away.

I told him to work on technique lining the balls up and not hammer everything, make a good bridge etc.

After missing one shot he looks at me: "I suck, I can't make any shots. How come everyone else in here is better than me? They're not professionals right?"

I reminded him that I haven't played seriously in about 15 years myself and didn't even make a four ball run.

Think we played 5 games. Overall he enjoyed things, and I tried not to "teach" him on every shot.

Just reminded myself that we're all beginners at some point and expect to be great right away!

 

[D_Lewis]

How old is your son?

I know juniors are allowed to play TAP in Guelph, it may be a good option if he gets into the game. Plus they dont always play in the evening, so you may be able to find a Sunday league during the day?

 

[guelphdad]

How about St. Catharines (that's where we are now, I just kept my old handle)?

He's 13, what age is Juniors?

 

[D_Lewis]

A good person to talk to would be dognit26, he has a son in the junior age group. He may have a bit more info.

Also, if you look in this forum there is a new junior and am tour starting up, that may be something to look into for him if he's interested. Even going to check out one of the stops might get him hooked on the game.

 

[guelphdad]

Thanks for the info.

 

[seether]

better then the 1970's

Thanks for the info.

Jee why didnt they have that when we were young at 10 or eleven years old,back in the 70's.I was told at the time that know one could go in a pool hall unless you were at lease 16 years of age,or 18 years of age.I think that leagues like jaccs and other leagues like it is a good idea especially fore our young kids to learn the game.

 

[D_Lewis]

Jee why didnt they have that when we were young at 10 or eleven years old,back in the 70's.I was told at the time that know one could go in a pool hall unless you were at lease 16 years of age,or 18 years of age.I think that leagues like jaccs and other leagues like it is a good idea especially fore our young kids to learn the game.

I believe Brittany Bryant used to play in a weekend TAP league at Tonys Place in Guelph. Hard work pays off!

 

[guelphdad]

Jee why didnt they have that when we were young at 10 or eleven years old,back in the 70's.

I think the pool halls/billiard lounges/clubs were still stuck with a hard edge image, people would be mortified to find their kids were in there and any that hung around at a slightly older age were probably already labeled as do-nothing, layabouts anyway.

I started out playing at my local legion when I was 19 but certainly played a few times in other places before then, but none of my friends played.

I'm looking at it as a distraction from video games my kid is always playing, and he has a competitive streak in him so if he starts to get better hopefully he will work at that and get out of the house more.

 

[samurai]

I think the pool halls/billiard lounges/clubs were still stuck with a hard edge image, people would be mortified to find their kids were in there and any that hung around at a slightly older age were probably already labeled as do-nothing, layabouts anyway.

I started out playing at my local legion when I was 19 but certainly played a few times in other places before then, but none of my friends played.

I'm looking at it as a distraction from video games my kid is always playing, and he has a competitive streak in him so if he starts to get better hopefully he will work at that and get out of the house more.

Please check out the new Diamond A Tour it sounds like it is right up your son's alley. We are welcoming juniors to participate for a $10 membership and free entry into our 4 event tour. The finale will be in February. If you have any questions, all contact information is on the website.

sincerely,
Grace Nakamura-Babcock