Would a BCA instructor be able to help my game?

[Icon of Sin]

Hey guys,

I am currently a 6 in APA 9 Ball. I want to eventually get to that 9 level like a few guys I know in the area. Now would a BCA instructor be able to help me achieve that or are they more geared toward players of a lower caliber? There are a few in my area and I wanted to get your opinion before I contacted him.

 

[cgriffin5]

An instructor can help your game no matter what lever you currently play at. An instructor will see any flaws big or small in your game and will help you improve. They are very expensive though. I took lessons for 3 months once a week with a BCA certified instructor and it really helped my game. I learned alot about kicks, banks, the diamond system etc. My game became alot more consistent. I look at the table completely differently now.

 

[Nostroke]

Hey guys,

I am currently a 6 in APA 9 Ball. I want to eventually get to that 9 level like a few guys I know in the area. Now would a BCA instructor be able to help me achieve that or are they more geared toward players of a lower caliber? There are a few in my area and I wanted to get your opinion before I contacted him.

Playing as much and as long as you have, assuming that you watch and talk to better players- I don't think you will see much improvement.

 

[42NateBaller]

Oh yea!

I was an APA SL7 when I left.

A good billiards instructor is like a good teaching golf pro. They'll look hard at your fundamentals and show you things you may not have realized. Try to find someone who can tape the session for you; and knows how to tape the session to show the strength/flaws of your stroke. You'll love it!

 

[Icon of Sin]

Playing as much and as long as you have, assuming that you watch and talk to better players- I don't think you will see much improvement.

See this is what I am afraid of. I may go to a session or 2 with one of these guys and see how it goes. Thanks for the responses guys!

 

[pooltchr]

A good instructor can most definitely help your game, but only if you are willing to put in the effort. I was teaching with randyg last year and he made a comment that stuck with me. As instructors, we have the easy part of the job, to give the students the information they need. The student is the one who has to process, practice and apply that information to their game before they get any results.
By the way, we had students in that class at all skill levels, and every one of them was blown away at what they learned in the class.
Steve

 

[Cardinal2B]

Student of the Game

I am currently a 6 in APA 9 Ball. I want to eventually get to that 9 level like a few guys I know in the area. Now would a BCA instructor be able to help me achieve that or are they more geared toward players of a lower caliber? There are a few in my area and I wanted to get your opinion before I contacted him.

My last skill level was APA5 (for 8-ball) & I went to pool school for 2 days. It was a basics course, though an APA7 was also there. There was so much to learn about stroke mechanics for me that I couldn't process it all in the two days, and have instead been incorporating the "right" changes one at a time - I've got quite a list. Note - video recording & analysis is a MUST - can't believe what you'll see!

Point is - I think lessons can be very valuable, but it might take time to assimilate what you learn into your game to where you don't have to think about it. Try a couple & see what you think.

If they don't do video, find someone else who does.

 

[Snapshot9]

I'd be afraid ... very afraid ...

of what I might see on video, especially after getting told that I shoot with my mouth open most of the time! ..... lol It put me into shock for a week, and to think that my friends let me do that for years before telling me hurts all the more ...

 

[scottycoyote]

u might wanna do a search on pool schools........i was with pooltchr and randyg last year and i did a writeup on it. Ive been playing pool off and on for about 20 years, took a 10 year break in the middle when i got married and gave it up, playing seriously the last 5. I had read all the books, bought the videos, watched the pros....everything short of lessons. Wish i had done the lessons sooner because it made the biggest difference in my game.

 

[catscradle]

Hey guys,

I am currently a 6 in APA 9 Ball. I want to eventually get to that 9 level like a few guys I know in the area. Now would a BCA instructor be able to help me achieve that or are they more geared toward players of a lower caliber? There are a few in my area and I wanted to get your opinion before I contacted him.

I've had lessons from BCA certified and non-certified instructors. I have had good and bad experiences with both types. IMO, a good instructor helps even at the level you're at, but I don't think you can assume because somebody is BCA certified that it will be a good experience. I think word of mouth is a much better indicator of value.