Ideas on how to become a English Pool coach?

[Andrew John Walker]

Hi all,

Im an avid English Pool and Snooker player, i've been playing for many years now. Also im currently a sports coach in the east midlands i was wondering if there is anyway on channeling my love for playing pool and coaching into becoming an English Pool Coach?

Do i need to be qualified to the highest extent or would my knowledge and love for the game be enough to coach young minds to our wonderful game?

Ideas and feedback would be grateful.

[SmokyOwl]

You absolutely do not need to be a professional player to be a coach. Did your parents have to be rocket scientists to help you with your math homework in the 5th grade? Of course not.

I coached my friend at a time when I had i think 8 or 9 years of experience myself. We played about 3 to 5 days a week for one to three hours each day for about two years, of course in that span there were a few months lapsed from time to time. We had that pool fever you could say. The bottom line was after those two years he was nipping at my heels in skill level.

One thing that I would recommend is buying, then loaning out the book: Byrne's Standard Book of Pool and Billards. There's one on eBay right now for real cheap. Theres another book with a similar title that's "advanced", I have the book around here somewhere I forgot the exact title; it's by the same guy Byrne. I read these books myself immediately when a friend of my mother's game them to me when I was 16, and by the time I was 18 I was the best in the very small pub where I played, and that was playing only once a week.

The thing is though is I WANTED to be good. Not all students are like that; lol, kinda like not all math students want to be mathimaticians. Some may want to learn as a passing fancy then they'll quit after a few years. I think there's a bit of psychology to teaching, read how they react to your criticism and support, and know when to take a step back.

Anyways, I hope I've been helpful.
--SmokyOwl