Teaching pool to children

[breaknhobble]

I'm teaching my children to shoot and was wondering what length and weight cue to start them out on. Should they start with a shortie or should I start them out with 57 in. cues? Is there a certain weight I should consider? Any opinions? They are 52" and 59" tall.

 

[Mr. Wilson]

Need more info!

How old / tall is the kid?


My son started at 9 with a regular cue.

He'll be 12 in July and IMO, if he could play in APA he'd be a solid 3.

Not really sure a small cue helps, unless they can't manage a regular cue.

I would think a short cue would limit their reach too much.

 

[CaptainJR]

One other thing that is not thought about sometimes is to make sure they use a stool. Unless you want the to get in a habit of holding there elbow out to the side like Keith M.

 

[Scott Lee]

I'm teaching my children to shoot and was wondering what length and weight cue to start them out on. Should they start with a shortie or should I start them out with 57 in. cues? Is there a certain weight I should consider? Any opinions?

There's nothing wrong with starting with shorter cues for kids. The only difference is a shorter butt; the shafts are normal length. There's also nothing wrong with starting them out with a normal length cue, as long as they can utilize a normal stance and bridge. The key here, as mentioned earlier, is to use a stepstool or box, if the child is short. There is also an excellent book on teaching younger children (7+). It's called "Rack 'Em Daddy", by Jon Denn...published by Colburn Press, Montvale NJ. This book has been out for many years, and is a good place to start. I've worked with many kids, from age 5 up through High School & College. If you'd like some tips, PM or email me.

Scott Lee
www.poolknowledge.com

 

[dedapr]

Besides The Cue...

Besides the cue, I have found one of the best methods of teaching kids is to start them playing without using the cue ball! Have them shoot the object ball directly into the pockets, or to the rail for banks etc.

After a week or 2 introduce them to the cue ball and they will already know the aiming spot on the object ball. It works!

 

[Snapshot9]

All good suggestions

When I was 24-25, (early 70's) I worked in a Pool room while going to college, and I used to teach kids how to play. I usually had 4-6 kids taking classes. They usually ranged from 7 to 11.

My 2 'prize' students were as different as night and day. The oldest, 11, had straight shoulder length hair, and the other one, 10, a half head shorter, had dark curly hair, and they were very competitive with each other. I would every so often hold little tournaments between the students. These 2 would always be in the finals. My 11 year old did and was capable of running a 3 pack on a 9' table. The 10 year old did run a 2 pack. They were playing 9 ball. I was very proud of all my students, but especially those 2, and have often wondered how good they became later on.

 

[McKinneyMiner]

There is also an excellent book on teaching younger children (7+). It's called "Rack 'Em Daddy", by Jon Denn...published by Colburn Press, Montvale NJ. This book has been out for many years, and is a good place to start.

Another in a long list of pool books I should have picked up when they first came out. That baby is selling on the Internet between $80-$150.

Holds up my theory that if a book about pool comes out, buy it. Whether you want it or not. They increase in value more than any other group of books I have ever seen.

 

[breaknhobble]

Another in a long list of pool books I should have picked up when they first came out. That baby is selling on the Internet between $80-$150.

Holds up my theory that if a book about pool comes out, buy it. Whether you want it or not. They increase in value more than any other group of books I have ever seen.

Wow! That's pretty steep. I think they will have to learn on my somewhat limited knowledge for now. I don't know if I can get shorty to use a stool he's pretty hard headed. He is doing the sidearm swing and I am trying to get rid of that bad habit. I guess I will try to convince him otherwise. He's much more comfortable with the short cue so we'll go with that for now. Thanks for the replies!