So you’re thinking about taking lessons…
If you have not already, there will come a time in your game when what you’re doing alone is just not enough. It’s then that you will consider checking out a pool class or taking some lessons. If you’re fortunate enough to live in a town where there are free clinics and instruction available, jump on it! That’s a great place to start. More often than not, those instructors also teach privately and you can get a good feel for their teaching style.
If you’re not so fortunate or if you feel you need some more personal attention, you may want to consider private lessons. As a fellow player who has worked with a variety of instructors, here’s a list I’ve compiled with some things to think about when considering your new coach. Decide which are most important to you.
- What are your goals? What is your purpose for seeking instruction?
- Level of commitment? Are you looking for a coach/mentor or just lessons?
- Knowledge & Experience?
- Reputation / Referrals?
- Personality & Communication?
- Their own playing ability?
- Cost & Location?
What are your goals? Are you a beginner player, starting from scratch that needs help with the basic fundamentals? Are you an above average player that could just use some fine tuning? Or, are you an advanced player that would just like to work on patterns and strategy? If you don’t really know, a good instructor should be able to assess your game and prescribe the right medicine. To get the most out of your lessons, think about what you would like to achieve before you get in there. But remember to stay open-minded to learning new things.
Knowledge & Experience? It may be tough to tell sometimes how much knowledge and experience an instructor has until you’re already working together. “Reputation / Referrals” can help in this area. A great coach does not need to have previous coaching experience in order to do a good job. They may never have given one lesson before, but if they have the knowledge and the heart to see you succeed, it will work.
Reputation / Referrals? In the meantime, you can always ask around. As with any relationship, a coach that worked for one player may not work for another and vice versa. Do the research. If it doesn’t work out, try someone else. It’s not like you married them.
Personality & Communication? This was important to me, personally, because I understand my learning style and I would not be able to work with someone that could not communicate well. The best players may not always be the best instructors because they may not be able to articulate what they’re trying to teach you. Consider how effective an instructor’s teaching style is.
Their own playing ability? Like I mentioned before, the best player may not be the best instructor. However, is it important to you that your instructor be a better player than you? Will you still be able to learn from someone who may not be able to execute the shot they are teaching you? These are all important things to consider before committing to a coaching relationship.
Cost & Location? Will these two words bear any weight for you when considering your new coach? Only you can decide.
Only you can know what you’re looking for. My current coach/mentor works full-time as an architect who just happens to love pool and plays it incredibly well. He has a ton of experience and after months of picking his brain and playing together, I asked him if he would consider taking me on. We’ve always been on the same page about strategy and the mental side of the game. He’s organized and is a great communicator. We’re in touch on a daily basis and I feel very fortunate that it’s a good match. If you’re not so lucky, keep looking. Knowing what’s important to you will help.
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