Pool Lessons for Beginners

L

lstevedus

One of the 47%
Silver Member
Recently I volunteered to teach a beginners class close to where I live at a senior center in central Ohio. It has been a learning experience for me. There is a lot of interest in learning to play, from especially women. In fact, I have only one guy out of 8 students, so far.

These people are total beginners except for maybe one man, and one woman who can actually pocket a ball, sometimes. I am keeping things really basic with the emphasis on having "fun". I have kept it to stance, grip, and forming a bridge so far with a little bit of SPF and fractional aiming, focusing mostly on the half ball hit.

The people in my class have all told me that no one wants to teach beginners for the most part. I think this is sad, because what happens to pool if no one has time for beginners? I drive 60 miles plus, one way, one to three times a week to play in a pool room because I like to play better players. I play in 9 ball tournaments on 9 foot tables, and 8 ball tournaments on bar boxes. I do ok. I've been playing for a long time and recently retired, so I have a lot of time I can devote to my obsession, pool.

I've been reading a thread in the instructors forum where there seems to be a controversy over who is qualified to teach pool, and who is not. I think that anyone that has been around pool for a while can sort out who the best people are to learn from and who aren't. I would like to see more emphasis on beginners learning to play well enough to want to play better, and maybe join leagues that, in my opinion, are what is keeping pool from dying out altogether.

Its really neat to see someone knock a ball in a pocket and think they are having a great time. I know that's what got me hooked.
 
I could not agree with you more! You are doing a great thing and for one, I love to teach and share what I love with others, so I know you are having a great time too.
 
I am retired and also "teach" pool at an assisted living center near my home. I am a beginner pool player, but I know enough to help people who know less than I do. I have six women and three men who often show up. None of them are physically able to do well, but it doesn't matter. It's all about having fun. And they love the attention.

I get more out of it than they do. Win. Win.

Rick
 
Good for you. Pool is perfect for seniors. This is untapped market. I know the senior center here in town has two tables. Not every town has a pool room, but retirement/ seniors centers do.

It refreshing to see someone that has taken action on exposing a new group of people to the world of pool.

Keep up the good work. If you feel you bring enjoyment to yourself and to others through your teaching about pool, don't worry about what anyone thinks. No one has a lock on learning about pool and being able to pass this along to others.

Babe Cranfield said that one way to improve your game is to teach.
 
My experience was just the opposite so to speak. I learned almost everything I know about pool starting as a 13 yr. old boy from a senior gentleman. But I had to 'steal' it from him as he would not teach me anything.

I now give out whatever info I can when I'm out playing. I would love to be able to pass my pool knpwkedge on to the next generation.

The two of you have opened my eyes to another option as seniors need to have as much fun as possible.

Kudos to both of you! Good on You!
Rick
 
lstevedus said:
The people in my class have all told me that no one wants to teach beginners for the most part. I think this is sad, because what happens to pool if no one has time for beginners?
Click to expand...

Kudos to you.

Generally speaking beginners and/or bangers are looked upon with disdain in the pool community. Even in this forum people make direct rude comments about them and seem somehow to feel it is reasonable and OK. It seems the same people often wonder out loud what is happening to the sport.

As soon as a beginner logs on here with questions a certain part of the community immediately advises they save up for a custom cue because a mass produced one isn't good enough to be a toilet plunger handle, and they must absolutely sign up for classes with a certified official credentialed and accredited instructor. All of which is complete and utter horse shit of course.

The same crowd does not seem to believe that there is any such thing as an A player that is not fully certified and credentialed in the National I Am A Pro Pool Player Association....with a patch on their sleeve or cue case and a product endorsement.

Then they log on and with a straight face say they are soooo good....but want to know why the guy at the local pub whips their ass with a house cue...regularly.



Please teach the game to anybody who wants to learn, do it with a smile, and please let them have fun.



.
 
Everyone was a beginner once.

Except me... I was born on a 9' Gold Crown and popped out looking for action. :wink:
 
I'm actually teaching my girlfriend to play right now as well. Until a month ago she had never picked up a cue and had no idea about anything. I've just been focusing her on proper bridge, stroke and alignment and learning to pocket balls. Less than two weeks into it she had already racked up her first league night win!

Sent from my BlackBerry 9650 using Tapatalk
 
Good for you Steve......

Now you know why we teach.

If it was just for money there wouldn't be very many teachers because there isn't much money. But the big smile and the fun you create is huge.

Try to teach some of them Perfect Aim. If you have any trouble just give me a call and I'll help you through a few of them.

Keep up the good work. Geno......
 
Chopdoc said:
Kudos to you.

Please teach the game to anybody who wants to learn, do it with a smile, and please let them have fun.



.
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i agree completely:)
but i woud say encourage beginners to seek a qualified instructor if they can afford it so they learn good mechanics from the beginning
 
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Istevedus-

Good for you-helping this way.

I hope this goes well for everyone involved.

If all senior centers are similar in skill levels-cover the concept of double-hit fouling and 'spearing' through a stack of balls.:eek:

They may have to get another table for the room, with the increased female participation.

Have fun-take care

ps- I sometimes 'show' someone a concept, a shot, a stroke, etc. if asked, while stressing that I'm not teaching, I'm showing-as it was shown to me. It's a distinction I make in my own mind. For me-I don't have a good enough understanding of the 'why's' to teach, but a good enough skillset of the 'what's', to show them to someone else.:confused:
 
THANK YOU for introducing more people to cue sports!
When I bring a new friend to play with me, it's always a great experience because it is so satisfying to know that there will be another billiards player in the world, a representative of this game, and someone that will continue it. Granted, I am in no way qualified to teach. However, I do like many different games and like to introduce all that I know (even if I am not really good at any). Then they can find which game they like best. That said, I am very grateful for all the people that teach me as well. They teach me on their own time, and I can see how much happiness it gives them to simply teach me. When I make improvement, it is not only me that is happy.
And of course, you are doing everyone here a big favor by bringing more people into the game.
 
Thumbs Up

lstevedus said:
Recently I volunteered to teach a beginners class close to where I live at a senior center in central Ohio. It has been a learning experience for me. There is a lot of interest in learning to play, from especially women. In fact, I have only one guy out of 8 students, so far.

These people are total beginners except for maybe one man, and one woman who can actually pocket a ball, sometimes. I am keeping things really basic with the emphasis on having "fun". I have kept it to stance, grip, and forming a bridge so far with a little bit of SPF and fractional aiming, focusing mostly on the half ball hit.

The people in my class have all told me that no one wants to teach beginners for the most part. I think this is sad, because what happens to pool if no one has time for beginners? I drive 60 miles plus, one way, one to three times a week to play in a pool room because I like to play better players. I play in 9 ball tournaments on 9 foot tables, and 8 ball tournaments on bar boxes. I do ok. I've been playing for a long time and recently retired, so I have a lot of time I can devote to my obsession, pool.

I've been reading a thread in the instructors forum where there seems to be a controversy over who is qualified to teach pool, and who is not. I think that anyone that has been around pool for a while can sort out who the best people are to learn from and who aren't. I would like to see more emphasis on beginners learning to play well enough to want to play better, and maybe join leagues that, in my opinion, are what is keeping pool from dying out altogether.

Its really neat to see someone knock a ball in a pocket and think they are having a great time. I know that's what got me hooked.
Click to expand...


"Hats off to you" my friend. Thank you for helping out those seniors.
 
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