Suggestions for teaching younger kids

R

RAMIII

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
I've got a 7yr old and a 10yr old and have been trying to teach them about pool. I have a 9ft in our house that I play on regularly and they've started to ask about playing with me. This is great but I'm noticing that because they can't orient their bodies to the level of the table, they can't develop a balanced stroke. It's driving me a little crazy seeing them jack up and sidearm. They're having fun which is the most important part, but I'm wondering if anyone has suggestions for me? I'm fine to wait until they're old enough to stand over the table with a balanced stroke, but I also think they would appreciate it if I could offer them an easier way to hit the balls.
I welcome any feedback and guidance about coaching younger kids.
-Ryan
 
Hey Ryan ,

I'd suggest getting some milk crates for them to stand on or some wooden apple boxes something that won't slip out from underneath them .
I'd also try to find some kid sized pool cues then install a quality tip on it then start them out slow on a kids size table if you can find one .

First and foremost keep it fun and lite hearted when they get bored let them do something else for awhile with gentle nudges to keep them interested in the game .
 
Rusty in Montana said:
Hey Ryan ,

I'd suggest getting some milk crates for them to stand on or some wooden apple boxes something that won't slip out from underneath them .
I'd also try to find some kid sized pool cues then install a quality tip on it then start them out slow on a kids size table if you can find one .

First and foremost keep it fun and lite hearted when they get bored let them do something else for awhile with gentle nudges to keep them interested in the game .
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Yes, I agree on all fronts, but the problem is moving the milk crates around to each shot gets tiring for them. Maybe they're not big enough, which is ok, but wondered if there were other options. I've also thought about the bottle lesson to develop a smooth stroke.
 
If they like the game, they will do anything to play it. Don't make it like school -- leave to their own unless they come to you. Half the deal is the bridge and coordination of stroke which both require just doing it.
 
Biloxi Boy said:
If they like the game, they will do anything to play it. Don't make it like school -- leave to their own unless they come to you. Half the deal is the bridge and coordination of stroke which both require just doing it.
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Yes I want it to be fun for them. Have you seen the V-shaped bridge for disabled folks? I thought it might make a good tool for them, since the bridge is also difficult at this age. I'm also thinking about trying a croquet-like game on the carpet with pool balls so I can get them accustomed to a flat stroke.
 
RAMIII said:
I've also thought about the bottle lesson to develop a smooth stroke.
Click to expand...
Slow down. Set up a table full of balls and just let them hit them directly into the pocket.

Once they do that set up hangers in every pocket. If they have a leave where they can’t comfortably reach a shot, extend the shot line so they can make solid contact.

I’m lost as hell on the bridge. As soon as I try to have my son form a proper bridge he gets butthurt. I guess we all have our unique body shapes, so what would I do if I was less than 4 ft tall. Once he can properly step into and address a shot I’ll be more demanding, but for now I just want him to want to play.
 
I do quite a lot of kids training at my club and we use kind of a wooden palette, the smaller kids can step on to reach the table. We also use something like a plastic beer crate, because it is stable, but so light, that the kids can carry it around the table by themselves.

But my main advice is, to make everything a game. Don't do too much of "real" training. 5 to 10 minutes max for a bit of stance, bridge etc.
Try to have a lot of variety, for example build some Lego tunnels, they have to shoot through or put some action figures on the table they have to hit with the cueball, build an obstacle course they have to maneuver with the cue ball.
So they will practice the basics without realising.
 
RAMIII said:
I've got a 7yr old and a 10yr old and have been trying to teach them about pool. I have a 9ft in our house that I play on regularly and they've started to ask about playing with me. This is great but I'm noticing that because they can't orient their bodies to the level of the table, they can't develop a balanced stroke. It's driving me a little crazy seeing them jack up and sidearm. They're having fun which is the most important part, but I'm wondering if anyone has suggestions for me? I'm fine to wait until they're old enough to stand over the table with a balanced stroke, but I also think they would appreciate it if I could offer them an easier way to hit the balls.
I welcome any feedback and guidance about coaching younger kids.
-Ryan
Click to expand...
Instead of crates I used skates let them put on skates that Jacks them up a little bit higher
 
maybe get some kinda flat but really high heel shoes to get couple inch more tall feet. Also maybe you can lower the slate level from table feet to max low. And dont care about sidearm. Childs can learn anything fast. When they grow up they can develop proper stroke fast.
 
RAMIII said:
I've got a 7yr old and a 10yr old and have been trying to teach them about pool. I have a 9ft in our house that I play on regularly and they've started to ask about playing with me. This is great but I'm noticing that because they can't orient their bodies to the level of the table, they can't develop a balanced stroke. It's driving me a little crazy seeing them jack up and sidearm. They're having fun which is the most important part, but I'm wondering if anyone has suggestions for me? I'm fine to wait until they're old enough to stand over the table with a balanced stroke, but I also think they would appreciate it if I could offer them an easier way to hit the balls.
I welcome any feedback and guidance about coaching younger kids.
-Ryan
Click to expand...
Get them the correct cue length for starters. Don't make them suffer with a full length cue.
 
VarmintKong said:
Slow down. Set up a table full of balls and just let them hit them directly into the pocket.

Once they do that set up hangers in every pocket. If they have a leave where they can’t comfortably reach a shot, extend the shot line so they can make solid contact.

I’m lost as hell on the bridge. As soon as I try to have my son form a proper bridge he gets butthurt. I guess we all have our unique body shapes, so what would I do if I was less than 4 ft tall. Once he can properly step into and address a shot I’ll be more demanding, but for now I just want him to want to play.
Click to expand...
Sorry, I'm not trying to be overly eager or overly demanding, we do keep it simple. Close straight in shots. I like the hanger idea, they'll enjoy shooting around the table like that.
 
RAMIII said:
I've been using a J/B with a regular shaft and taking off the break section. Is there a good length you've found?
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Cue should come to about their chin. I see a lot of kids trying to use a 58" and it just is too long.
 
Oze147 said:
I do quite a lot of kids training at my club and we use kind of a wooden palette, the smaller kids can step on to reach the table. We also use something like a plastic beer crate, because it is stable, but so light, that the kids can carry it around the table by themselves.

But my main advice is, to make everything a game. Don't do too much of "real" training. 5 to 10 minutes max for a bit of stance, bridge etc.
Try to have a lot of variety, for example build some Lego tunnels, they have to shoot through or put some action figures on the table they have to hit with the cueball, build an obstacle course they have to maneuver with the cue ball.
So they will practice the basics without realising.
Click to expand...
Great suggestions! My kids love Legos so this will keep them busy. Now that you mention the platform, I have my wife's reebok stepup that would make an easy plastic platform the kids could move. Thank you!
 
RAMIII said:
Sorry, I'm not trying to be overly eager or overly demanding, we do keep it simple. Close straight in shots. I like the hanger idea, they'll enjoy shooting around the table like that.
Click to expand...
Here is a set of drills/practice routines that will give a little structure to their time on the table. It will let you track their progress:


You could add level 1A which is the same as 1 but with ten balls on the table.

Good luck with your kids.
 
Bob Jewett said:
Here is a set of drills/practice routines that will give a little structure to their time on the table. It will let you track their progress:


You could add level 1A which is the same as 1 but with ten balls on the table.

Good luck with your kids.
Click to expand...
Thanks! Yes, my playing time is greatly reduced now because they want to join in. I'd rather they learn to love the game with me than worry about my table time. I'm lucky they want to play with me at all, lol, but looking forward to growing up playing together.
 
In addition to my privious advice, I have to add some thoughts, that might help you with your kids:

The age of 6,7 is the time you should just do stuff that starts the interest in pool and it should be fun and never have the feeling of a drill. At this age kids should develop a feeling and coordination for their body. Running, balancing, climbing, throwing balls etc. being active develops a lot of the skills that are needed in cuesports.

Around 10, 11, 12(girls always tend to develop a bit earlier) is the time children start recognizing demonstrations and the meaning of verbal advice. They are very good at imitating and this is the "golden age of learning". They will make huge steps forward and are motivated to learn new stuff and practice. This is the time to bind kids to a sport.

After this stage puberty will kick in and during this time it will go downward for a certain time. Their body is changing and it can be very hard for them to move forward or even keep their level of play.
Main goal here is, to just keep them interested in the game.
If they have dived through this stage, they will have the second stage of big development. They get used to their new bodies, they stabilize, they get more powerful and have more stamina.
14,15,16 is the time they really can develop all their talent.

That said, this is the sports theory for kids pool (badly translated from an Austrian training seminar).
In the end, bring up two happy and healthy kids and if they enjoy playing pool, that is a bonus :)
 
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