Suggestions for teaching younger kids
- Thread starter RAMIII
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Dr Hanson in Mankato MN. Raised a couple of pro level players. Built plywood platforms around the table. Look it up, there are a few write ups about it
Wonderful wisdom, thank you!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
I'll take a look, thank you! However, my wife was kind enough to allow the take, not said whether she'll go for platforms.... But she's awesome so I'll see what these platforms look like. Thank you for the suggestion.
Learn some simple trick shots, and every week or so show them a new one.
boogieman
It don't mean a thing if it ain't got that ping.
High 8 is a fun game if they are wanting a game. You rack 8 ball, after the break you put the 8 on top of a chalk cube. If you knock it down you lose. Whoever gets all their balls in and goes for the 8 has to shoot it from on top of the chalk. Once it's off of the chalk it plays normally and stays off the chalk. It's a pretty fun game.
Golf tees also make an interesting target, either for points or for instant loss. They are actually pretty difficult to hit, make good targets for adults to practice tangent lines and caroms etc.
As long as they are showing any interest, let them have fun, even if it's just flipping balls around with their hands. They are enjoying the play part of playing pool. If you have drop pockets, let them do whatever, play with hotwheels on the table, set up army men to "mow down", dominoes on the table, whatever. This early love they get from play at the table is what goes into making them love the game later.
As for stance and holding the cue weird, kids are much shorter than us. I work with a guy who is less than 5' tall, he shoots side armed like how a kid does. He's actually good and will fool you if you just look at his stance. The only way to get them to a proper stance is to cut the legs off of your table or make a platform.
Golf tees also make an interesting target, either for points or for instant loss. They are actually pretty difficult to hit, make good targets for adults to practice tangent lines and caroms etc.
As long as they are showing any interest, let them have fun, even if it's just flipping balls around with their hands. They are enjoying the play part of playing pool. If you have drop pockets, let them do whatever, play with hotwheels on the table, set up army men to "mow down", dominoes on the table, whatever. This early love they get from play at the table is what goes into making them love the game later.
As for stance and holding the cue weird, kids are much shorter than us. I work with a guy who is less than 5' tall, he shoots side armed like how a kid does. He's actually good and will fool you if you just look at his stance. The only way to get them to a proper stance is to cut the legs off of your table or make a platform.
I know what you mean! My 6yr loves to play, but yeah side arm... our (Almost 2) also WANTS to play but he's a bit small. He watches a lot & occasional I'll hold him and shoot 1 handed so I bend down and he's eye level with line of sight on the shot. Other times I let him "herd" balls into pockets using a small "Toy table" cue.
Have you thought about getting a 5ft portable table they can use while you shoot?
Have you thought about getting a 5ft portable table they can use while you shoot?
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Guy Manges
Registered
Take wood 4" x shoe with and duck tape it to shoes, if they want to learn bad enough they will adapt, this worked for me about 75 years ago.
I would like to offer a suggestion I don't believe I saw in a brief glance through the thread. First, my complements to a number of great idea shared already.
I would recommend you research and find out what type of junior leagues exist in your area. While you are indeed fortunate your kids want to play with you, ultimately finding a way(s) to allow them to play with peers can potentially add a whole new world of experiences, enjoyment and motivation.
Encourage and support their interest in pool and they will have a sport for their lifetimes and you will have a sport to share in common with them for yours.
I would recommend you research and find out what type of junior leagues exist in your area. While you are indeed fortunate your kids want to play with you, ultimately finding a way(s) to allow them to play with peers can potentially add a whole new world of experiences, enjoyment and motivation.
Encourage and support their interest in pool and they will have a sport for their lifetimes and you will have a sport to share in common with them for yours.
The 10 year old should definitely be tall enough to learn a proper stroke, and the 7 year old might be able to if tall enough. If there's a junior league near that would be a great option. With kids it's important to learn the fundamentals of a good stroke piece by piece and it can definitely be done! There's just too much involved to learn it all at the same time. I have two kids who play seriously and compete in tournaments regularly with adults whenever they can. One started at 8 and is now 11, and the other started at 6 and is now 8. Both have learned through the BCA Break and Run Program which is a great program for kids (linked below at PBIA website).
playbetterbilliards.com
For my youngest we made platform shoes which he only recently stopped using. They allowed him to have a vertical stroke from the very beginning and have been worn in every pool hall he's ever been to.
Jr. Instruction
Break and Run Premier Junior Instructional Program Creating Tomorrow’s Champions With an estimated 5.8M junior players in the United States under the age of 24 participating in the game of billiard…
playbetterbilliards.com
For my youngest we made platform shoes which he only recently stopped using. They allowed him to have a vertical stroke from the very beginning and have been worn in every pool hall he's ever been to.
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Willowbrook Wolfy
Going pro
I picked up a used bumper pool table to teach my kids on. Get one under $100 and if it’s too tall chop some off the legs. And as mentioned. Definitely get them the correct length cues. When I was 8 all I had was a milk crate to stand on to get to table level. Used to play 3-4 hours a day like that. I don’t believe it but my parents have photo/video evidence.
