How to structure a pool lesson?

Question

Hi, I have recently got PAT instructor certificate. However I have not tought before. Can somebody suggest some good sites for drills and also some advice on how to structure a lesson would be nice (For total beginners). Thank you.

Answer 1

Assessment: find out how much of a complete beginner they are. Set up a few shots a little off straight and check the basics of their bridge, stance  and whether they know how to line up a shot. Shouldn't take more than a few minutes

theory

technique

application

Answer 2

Hi Jim,

After searching high and low for the meaning of a "PAT instructor certificate", I came up empty --- finding NOTHING relating PAT to the game of pool .....until....."Johnny 4-stroke" shared some crucial information with me.

The *'PAT' is NOT a Pool Instructor Certification. PAT is the abbreviation for: Performance ability test. Passing this simple test, by no means, qualifies you as a certified instructor.  You still have a bit of learning to do before you earn your Level 1 ACS INSTRUCTOR Certification. You're not ready to teach. You must be taught first.

I was initially going to recommend Jerry Briesath's Pool School to you, but I couldn't find anything about the *'PAT' pertaining to Pool. So, I simply ignored your question.

Here's the scoop on the *'PAT' and what you need to do BEFORE you qualify to be a CERTIFIED INSTRUCTOR:

http://www.cuesportcollege.com/cuesport_...

All ACS (American CueSports) instructor/coaches – by using the Performance Ability Test (“PAT”) testing system, recognized by the world-governing body for the pool sport, the World Pool-Billiard Association - will gain accreditation recognized on an international level.

*Playing Ability Test (PAT): This test takes place on the first day of applicant applying for certification.

*Passing the 'PAT' and working your way up to just level 1 of being an actual instructor, are two completely different things.

Pool players might find this of interest -- I sure did:

ACS INSTRUCTOR / COACH PROGRAM OBJECTIVES Printable PDF Version

The aim of the American Cuesports Association (ACS) is to train and certify well-qualified Instructors/Coaches to serve the Billiard public. As the sport grows at record pace, there continues to be a need for qualified, personable Billiard teaching professionals.

Objectives of the American Cuesports Association (ACS) training programming:

To develop & certify qualified instructors.

To provide training techniques and requirements for becoming a Professional Billiard/Cuesport Coach accredited by the ACS and satisfying the World Confederation of Billiards Sports (WCBS) standard.

To develop instructional expertise and training techniques to run Instructor Certification clinics and standards for using the tools to perform Instructor evaluations.

To identify and recommend opportunities to attend a sports-minded (sports psychology) accredited performance coaches training program, as outlined by the ACS ( professional development in mental and emotional skills training for ACS instructors). As an applicant for the ACS National Level of accreditation, this could include the educational training and techniques required for training other professional coaches.

If you are an existing instructor, adding to any existing tools and techniques to allow you to efficiently train players (and possibly other instructors) to an ACS accredited standard.

To encourage the study of cue sports and its profession.

Upon successful completion of the course, candidates will be offered the opportunity to become an ACS certified instructor.

Experienced Billiard instructor/coaches will bring in-depth knowledge and additional expertise to the program. During the ACS course, it is hoped we will learn from each other, melding together our ideas and methods so that we end up as a team of professional instructor/coaches.

Special aspects of the ACS Instructor/Coach Program

Accredited ACS Instructor/ Coaches are not required to submit feedback forms to the national office.

An ACS Instructor/coach is encouraged to use or construct any training environment he/she chooses with no restrictions on the environment.

In the early stages of administration of the ACS Instructor/ Coach program, instructor/coaches with documented experience may be “grandfathered” into the ACS program by the ACS Instructor/Coach committee.

Instructors accredited at various levels in other instructor programs may enter the ACS program at the equivalent level of accreditation.

All ACS instructor/coaches – by using the Performance Ability Test (“PAT”) testing system, recognized by the world-governing body for the pool sport, the World Pool-Billiard Association - will gain accreditation recognized on an international level.

ACS Instructor/Coach annual fees to ACS are:

Level 1 - $35

Level 2 - $50

Level 3 - $75

Level 4 - $100

The minimum age to take the course is 18 and participants are required to demonstrate an intermediate skill level, scoring a PAT score of at least 800 at PAT 1 Level. (Note: PAT scores are a standard skill designation developed by our sister organizations around the world).

ACS Instructor/Coach Levels

The basic requirements for the ACS Instructor are that they have have knowledge of fundamentals, billiard stroke instruction, basic billiard biomechanics, ball behavior, etc., and can transfer this knowledge to candidates and students.

The ACS permits Instuctors to use specialization clauses after their title, for example, ”Professional Instructor/Coach Level 2 - Specializing in artistic pool/billiards”, or ”Specializing in fundamentals and the discipline of 3-cushion billiards”.

The ACS Board reserves the right to select ‘Honorary’ Instructor/Coaches based on the ACS Instructor/Coaches committee recommendations.

The ACS recommends that instructor/coaches in the program be titled “Professional Billiard Instructor/Coach”. Four levels will make up the structure of the program, the levels designated as Level 1, Level 2, Level 3, and Level 4 respectively. The ACS is currently in the process of developing the following four levels of coaching courses.

To attain full certification, all four areas must be passed during the course:

Playing Ability Test (PAT): This test takes place on the first day of applicant applying for certification.

Written Test: This test on the 2nd day includes understanding of cue sports concepts (e.g. squirt) and rules.

Physical Teaching Test: This test on the 2nd day is based on applicant's knowledge in the detection and correction of billiard stroke errors, biomechanics, etc.

Application Teaching Test: This test on the 2nd day is based on applicant directly teaching and running Billiard clinics/classes to students under the evaluation of an ACS accredited instructor/coach.

Level 1 - ACS Certification Training... if required

Professional Billiard Instructor/Coach Training

The Level 1 course is the introductory course for the instructor program. It is a minimum of three-day, 8-hour/day Instructors training course. The course must be taught by a minimum ACS Level 3 lead instructor/coach.

The course covers the basic skills of pool, basic pool games, terminology, and etiquette, including:

Learning basic techniques for teaching the pool stroke and body mechanics.

Participants may also receive instruction on their own pool stroke and bio-mechanics.

Learning to effectively teach the Billiard stroke and mechanics to beginning or novice players.

Training to identify common faults and corrections.

Learn or review basic rules and effectively answer billiard questions.

Learn video taping and analysis techniques.

Level 2 - ACS Certification

Professional Billiard Instructor/Coach Training

The Level 2 Course is intended for instructor/coaches desiring to teach higher-skilled-level students. The minimum age to undertake the course is 19, and candidate must have been a Level 1 Instructor/Coach for a minimum of oneyear. Candidates are required to demonstrate a PAT skill level of at least 600 at PAT 1 Level.

The following requirements must be completed during the Level 2 Course under a minimum ACS Level 3 lead instructor/coach before an accreditation is awarded:

Demonstrate that all requirements at Level 1 are completed.

Review learning basic techniques for teaching the pool stroke and mechanics.

Participants will learn more in-depth topics including, for example, faults & cures, and complete game analysis.

Learn advanced, in-depth video analysis.

Participants receive instruction on self-analysis on their pool stroke and body mechanics.

Basic instruction on ball control/behavior and billiard physics

Successful completion of the written, physical teaching, and rules tests. [ Test may be verbally administered.]

All this material is taught and covered in detail during the course (or per ACS Manual – in development ).

Level 3 - ACS Full Certification

Professional Billiard Instructor/Coach Training

The Level 3 Course is intended for active, experienced instructor/coaches who are ready to advance in this profession. Candidates are required to demonstrate a PAT skill level of at least 500 at PAT 2 Level, have been at

Level 2 for a minimum of two years, and have reached the age of 21. This certification is recognized as an International Billiard teaching professional credential by the WPA. Fully certified members may run for the ACS Board player/business seat.

The following requirements must be completed during the Level 3 Course before an accreditation is awarded:

Demonstrate that all requirements at Level 1 and 2 are completed.

Can certify instructor/coaches to Level 1 and Level 2

To gain Level 3, Level 3 candidate must have worked with a minimum of two separate Level 3 or Level 4 lead instructor/coaches in past history

Teach advanced ball control mechanics and billiard physics concepts.

Advanced video analysis and bio-mechanics.

Advanced diagnosis of the pool stroke and cueing techniques.

Requires successful completion of the written, physical teaching test, rules test

To gain Level 3, a Level 3 candidate must have worked separately with a minimum of one (1) ACS Level 3 and one (1) ACS Level 4 lead instructor/coaches in past history.

L

Answer 3

Stuart covers it pretty well just see where they stand on the ladder and teach them how to climb from there

How did you get a cert.?

At least your not a doctor