Please Help! Need advice for teaching beginners

K

kingwang

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
Hi Everyone,

Recently one of my friends started a pool club at my school and he wants me to help teach/train the people in the club. Today was our first meeting and I found out that many of the members have never played pool in their lives. How should I start them out on pool? So far I have just been working on their stroke, but I'm not entirely sure how to proceed.

I'd appreciate any/all advice on what I should be teaching them. Drills, exercises, topics to work on, ANYTHING!
 
The BCA dvd on "how to play pool right" is pretty good. I think thats the correct name of the dvd. That will get you started.
 
teaching

I know this keeps coming up in different forms but I would say find an instructor (I prefer BCA with references) and get them to help. Basics are very important and if you have true beginners lets get them taught right to start with so they don't have to change bad habits. Best I can suggest.
 
First thing to learn in pool!!!

If they've never played at all, the first thing you should teach them is how to:


#1. Stance
#2. How to make a proper bridge

no. 1 & 2 go along way as to if one will learn anything

#3. Develope a stroke
#4. Practice shooting the simplest of shots, up close, then furtherway

#5. Cut shots , keep them simple, then more difficult
#6. Learn left and right hand english, (watch how the cue ball reacts after contact with object ball and what it does after coming off the rail)
#7. Teach stop shot, and draw shot
#8. Teach some simple banks, then make harder

#9. Watch by Observering better players!

this should keep you busy for awhile!

to each his own, but this is how I was taught!......

and I taught myself and #9


David Harcrow
 
As a president at a Billiards club myself I think I can give you a few pointers:

1. Establish the rules...there are so many misconceptions and different "bar rules", make sure your new players don't get overwhelmed by variations to the game whether it be nine ball or eight ball

2. Don't overinstruct; I have seen that a lot of new players in our club who just want to play for fun and are not interested in perfecting the game. Early just lead by example... just shoot your game and do it as fundamentally correct as possible....let them ask questions and show that they are interested in learning...once you have that, instead of coaching right of the bat, introduce them to media and interenet outlets like this forum where they can go and read for themselves.

If you are starting a club, don't feel obligated to coach, just have fun and be avilable for those who are interested in learning...when those few are wanting more..then focus on their biggest deliquencies and help them to correct them...in the long run you'll see that the ones that want to get better will do so mostly on their own time...help them when they just don't get it.
 
kingwang said:
Hi Everyone,

Recently one of my friends started a pool club at my school and he wants me to help teach/train the people in the club. Today was our first meeting and I found out that many of the members have never played pool in their lives. How should I start them out on pool? So far I have just been working on their stroke, but I'm not entirely sure how to proceed.

I'd appreciate any/all advice on what I should be teaching them. Drills, exercises, topics to work on, ANYTHING!
Click to expand...


Man, you have agreed to something when maybe you shouldn't have. If you don't have the first idea of what to teach beginners, you should not take on that kind of responsibility. If I were you, I would do ask recommended and seek the help of a professional BCA instructor. I'm sure he will be willing to give you a discounted rate and meet maybe once week for the first month. From there, you all can chip in and get a couple of videos like a Buddy Hall video or even Mika's new dvd. You can all sit down and watch it together and practice what you watch. Over time, you will find that your ability to teach will improve with your ability to understand on that level.

At that time, you should then take on the responsibility of helping beginners, because you will be giving them a solid foundation to start from. If you take suggestions from this forum and then pass it on, you will be hurting them more than helping them. If you are better than them, offer them what you know at a level they can understand. Teach them what you know, but when you run out of knowledge, seek a replacement. Don't try to exceed your skill level for the sake of short term success. Designate your position to someone qualified to do so. Your club will recognize your integrity and will hold you in higher esteem.
 
deadgearplyr said:
Man, you have agreed to something when maybe you shouldn't have. If you don't have the first idea of what to teach beginners, you should not take on that kind of responsibility. If I were you, I would do ask recommended and seek the help of a professional BCA instructor. I'm sure he will be willing to give you a discounted rate and meet maybe once week for the first month. From there, you all can chip in and get a couple of videos like a Buddy Hall video or even Mika's new dvd. You can all sit down and watch it together and practice what you watch. Over time, you will find that your ability to teach will improve with your ability to understand on that level.

At that time, you should then take on the responsibility of helping beginners, because you will be giving them a solid foundation to start from. If you take suggestions from this forum and then pass it on, you will be hurting them more than helping them. If you are better than them, offer them what you know at a level they can understand. Teach them what you know, but when you run out of knowledge, seek a replacement. Don't try to exceed your skill level for the sake of short term success. Designate your position to someone qualified to do so. Your club will recognize your integrity and will hold you in higher esteem.
Click to expand...

I understand where you are coming from but you must realize that College Clubs usually have liitle or no budget and are often very very leisurly... most clubs cannot afford to pay for any instruction. It is often up to us to do it ourselves.
 
@ Texas Prez and catpool9
Thank you very much for your input

@jtompilot and Race2-9
I'll be sure to check those things out, thanks!

@deadgearplyr
Thanks for your advice and concern. Unfortunately, I am by far the most qualified for this position and I think if I don't help, the results will be even worse. Like Texas Prez said, we have minimal budget and little infrastructure, so I'm trying to do as much I as I can. I've already contacted Scott Lee about suggestions for local instructors and hopefully we can get something like that.



Good replies so far, keep them coming!
 
Tell them to take up golf....=) kidding of course

If you could put the money together I'd bring in a BCA Ins. to do a group lesson on stroke I dont agree with their "everybody should play like Allison" mentality. But some say I have a nice stroke and I got it from things I learned from a BCA guy I know. It all starts with a straight stroke...

drills are easy to find (books videos). I think the L drill is a really good drill. I was going to start a thread asking who claims they can to the L drill with 15 balls on a snooker table, that isnt going to be just anybody beleave that...
 
I just did a short into-to-pool video that you might want to check out.

www.youtube.com/fargobilliards

click on "Learn to play pool in ten minutes."

kingwang said:
Hi Everyone,

Recently one of my friends started a pool club at my school and he wants me to help teach/train the people in the club. Today was our first meeting and I found out that many of the members have never played pool in their lives. How should I start them out on pool? So far I have just been working on their stroke, but I'm not entirely sure how to proceed.

I'd appreciate any/all advice on what I should be teaching them. Drills, exercises, topics to work on, ANYTHING!
Click to expand...
 
Basics, basics and more basics. Get them practicing one thing per session over and over. Approach, stance, stroke and shoot. Take it very slow and drill the fundamentals into there heads. Teach them that you don't need to shoot hard to make a cue ball do what you want it to. Watch their aim point as they stroke and the strike point as they hit the cue ball as one of the main reasons for missing is hitting the CB at a different point than you are aiming. Stay away from left and right english and stick with top, center and bottom. Also encourage them to get books on billiards at the library as there is a wealth of information there.
 
Mowem down said:
Tell them to take up golf....=) kidding of course

If you could put the money together I'd bring in a BCA Ins. to do a group lesson on stroke I dont agree with their "everybody should play like Allison" mentality. But some say I have a nice stroke and I got it from things I learned from a BCA guy I know. It all starts with a straight stroke...

drills are easy to find (books videos). I think the L drill is a really good drill. I was going to start a thread asking who claims they can to the L drill with 15 balls on a snooker table, that isnt going to be just anybody beleave that...
Click to expand...


Dear Mowem down: Where the heck does that statement stem from?????? Please try not to group all BCA Instructors together because it ain't so. Their's only one person I know that can play like Allison....Thanks...SPF=randyg
 
If you already spoke with Scott, you are on the right track. If your budget doesn't allow professional personal instruction, invest a few bucks on Scott and Randyg's dvds. Study them and notice how they present the fundamentals information in very easy to understand ways.

You will get two good things. Not only will you see some great fundamental information, but you will learn how professional instructors present that information.

Steve
 
kingwang said:
@ Texas Prez and catpool9
Thank you very much for your input

@jtompilot and Race2-9
I'll be sure to check those things out, thanks!

@deadgearplyr
Thanks for your advice and concern. Unfortunately, I am by far the most qualified for this position and I think if I don't help, the results will be even worse. Like Texas Prez said, we have minimal budget and little infrastructure, so I'm trying to do as much I as I can. I've already contacted Scott Lee about suggestions for local instructors and hopefully we can get something like that.



Good replies so far, keep them coming!
Click to expand...

Good move contacting Scott. I can understand how your options may be limited, but that is not a reason to not go about it the right way. There is always a way.

If you guys are short a little money, I can ask Buddy Hall to stop by the next time he goes through. Scott Lee, from what I understand is a knowledgeable instructor and I'm sure that any instructor with a heart will give you a hell of a deal making your situation easier.

I would pool together and seek to acquire the free resources available and go over them with Scott so that he can point you in the right direction.
 
pooltchr said:
If you already spoke with Scott, you are on the right track. If your budget doesn't allow professional personal instruction, invest a few bucks on Scott and Randyg's dvds. Study them and notice how they present the fundamentals information in very easy to understand ways.

You will get two good things. Not only will you see some great fundamental information, but you will learn how professional instructors present that information.

Steve
Click to expand...

This is good advice.

Check out "Play Better Pool: Mastering the Basics, Vol I" which can be found at www.sportvideos.com
 
Best advice if you are not being paid to teach, make the student accountable for what you teach. Make them show you progress before you become Mr. Show Me!
zipmouth.gif
 
Fun

Teach them to have fun..everybody is right that posted here fundamentles,show them easy trick shots.But like I said they have to have fun before thy get any better..Hell why did you start playing
 
wolfcookie said:
Teach them to have fun..everybody is right that posted here fundamentles,show them easy trick shots.But like I said they have to have fun before thy get any better..Hell why did you start playing
Click to expand...
I agree, let them have fun, after a while you'll figure out who's really interested in learning to improve. Work with those, they're only a few.
 
Tye...Instructing never-played-before people is not as daunting as it seems.
Of course, you need to know what you're doing, if you're going to show someone else (without showing them bad habits). The BCA video by Jerry Briesath was mentioned, and is a great starting point. It can be found online for about $15. Randy and my videos are also very helpful, as is Robert Byrne's Standard Book of Pool & Billiards. There are good books & videos available from many sources...Mueller's has most of them in their catalog (www.poolndarts.com). Get at least one of them, and have a meeting where everybody watches the video. Try to do it in the gameroom, so that you can immediately go to the tables and practice what you just learned. Hands on instruction will be your next step, to reinforce what was on the video. As mentioned, it is important to make it fun, and not a competition.

As I mentioned in my PM to you...there is money available to your campus organization. That's what your student activity goes towards. Your club can get funds from student government, which can be applied toward having a qualified instructor come work with the club members. I've done this many times, at many schools.

Scott Lee
www.poolknowledge.com
 
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