1. Can you tell us about your experience working with overseas instructors and how you've contributed to the PBIA's global approach?
Instructors are the same everywhere. They’re enthusiastic about helping others improve their game. The PBIA, formerly the BCA Instructor program, has been in existence for over 30 years, and we have continually improved our program. We created the tiered system of instructors for pool - Recognized, Certified, Advanced, and Master. Other pool organizations have copied our idea because it makes sense.
I think what appeals to international teachers about usand I try to stress this as much as possible to my global constituents - is that we are a service organization that offers accreditation based on skills. We help people. We aren’t bound to politics. We don’t dictate how they must teach, or where they teach, or who they teach.
We train and test them; give them the credentials they need to market themselves as legitimate instructors. We also offer them marketing ideas and teaching guidelines.
2. What challenges have you faced in establishing the PBIA as a global brand, and how have you overcome them?
When your organization has a solid reputation, the challenges are minimal. These days, you can do almost anything
remotely, including training and testing instructors. Having conversations and offering guidance is easy now. A few decades ago, it would not have been so easy.
Of course, not everything should be done remotely, and there is travel involved. But again, travel today is a much easier endeavor than it was a few decades ago.
3. How do you think the PBIA's certification programs can benefit instructors worldwide?
We offer invaluable flexible teaching methods and help them in interacting with students of all different personalities and levels of play. We also help to improve their ability to quickly and efficiently troubleshoot a player who comes to them for help.
To be able to put the words ‘PBIA’ with their name means they have the skills and have passed the tests.
4. Can you share any success stories from your work with national federations and organizations?
As a former executive board member of the WPA, I have had extensive interactions with various national and continental federations. Depending on the country, many of these federations are government-controlled and must play by the rules set forth by their country’s government, which funds them.
I respect these organizations and what they do for their players in their countries and continents. But the PBIA is different in that it is a non-restrictive organization, because we are not government-funded and dependent on the government. You don’t have to be a U.S. citizen to be a member of the PBIA. So, I think that while we are open to working with other organizations, we will continue to maintain our non-restrictive status.
5. How do you envision the PBIA's global outreach evolving in the next few years?
Reputation is everything. Success to us is training an instructor who, in turn, helps a player to improve their game through lessons. A good instructor is the best advertising for us. That’s how I see us evolving globally - to continue to provide excellent guidance for teachers worldwide. The more successful our instructors are, the more people will want to become a PBIA instructor.
6. What role do you think the PBIA should play in promoting billiards internationally?
I think an important role we can play is in increasing the number of people who play pool. Our job is to help create instructors who can help players. Many players worldwide quit out of frustration due to lack of information. A good instructor can help someone stay in the game and enjoy the process. More players in the population helps to increase the demand for more events, so there’s that as well.
7. What advice would you give to instructors looking to expand their reach globally?
This is where reputation becomes important. Establish yourself locally and create a lot of successes. Then you can start to consider expanding globally. The world is a much smaller place than it was just a few decades ago. It’s much easier to connect with people in other countries. But always make sure to establish your credibility first. Be the real deal.
Crimi
1. Tell us about the success stories of players who have participated in the Junior National Qualifiers?
The success stories emerging from these programs speak for themselves. We're seeing kids who started as beginners develop into state champions. We're watching teenagers represent the United States on the world stage. But perhaps more importantly, we're witnessing young people develop bonds and friendships they never would have made otherwise.
They're learning to deal with adversity, to persevere, to win gracefully, and to demonstrate sportsmanship under pressure. Not every kid we work with aspires to become a professional player, and that's perfectly fine.
Through these competitions and instruction from PBIA members, they're learning these kids develop essential life skills: focus and concentration, composure under pressure, discipline and perseverance, strategic thinking and problem-solving, emotional regulation, resilience, patience, sportsmanship, integrity, and self-assessment. These lessons extend far beyond the table into their schools, relationships, and future careers.
2. How has the BEF's partnership with the PBIA impacted the growth of junior billiards?
As a PBIA instructor and Billiard Education Foundation
Board member, I've had the privilege of watching something truly special unfold in the world of junior billiards. I've witnessed firsthand how the partnership between the Professional Billiard Instructors Association and the Billiard Education Foundation has transformed opportunities for young players across the country and around the globe. What has emerged is a comprehensive network of learning, competition, and community that's growing the sport of junior billiards.
3. What role do you think programs like Break and Run play in developing young players?
The Break and Run program, developed by PBIA Master Instructor Roy Pastor, (Maine) is a program I am proud to be a part of. This program, in conjunction with the BCA, PBIA, and BEF, offers structured, individualized online coaching at no cost to junior players who want to compete. All the instructors in this program are PBIA instructors who donate their time to grow the sport and support junior pool. This program provides quality instruction from credentialed instructors globally, ensuring that geography doesn't limit access to quality coaching. As a lead instructor in this program, I have personally instructed many students across the country as well as South Africa.
4. How have companies responded to sponsoring entries for kids in State Championships?
I have had the pleasure of seeing local communities, pool rooms, friends, family, and businesses all come together to support these kids in organizing fundraisers, collecting donations, and doing whatever it takes to get their state champions to the national event.
5. Discuss any notable community involvement or outreach initiatives related to billiards?
With the popularity of the sport growing, particularly with junior players, the BEF and PBIA have both a tremendous opportunity and a responsibility to provide quality instruction and competitive platforms for these young players. From an instruction perspective, that's where programs like the Break and Run Premier Junior Instructional Academy come in. From a competition perspective, that’s where the BEF Qualifiers, state championships, regional tours, and National championships come into play.
6. How do you see the PBIA and BEF working together to build the industry?
PBIA instructors around the country also run junior clinics that provide junior players with the fundamentals and tools they need to enjoy the sport and compete confidently at any level. These programs are so important at the local level as they provide pathways for the next generation of pool players to enter the sport. The Sunday clinic I have been running in Arizona, by way of example, has introduced many new juniors to the sport. Some have gone on to compete in BEF state championship events.
7. What are some key takeaways from your experience building State Championships?
The competitive side of this partnership has been equally transformative. Numerous PBIA instructors host BEF National Qualifiers, State Championships throughout the country, with winners earning the title of State Champion and a paid entry into the BEF American National Billiard Championships—the most prestigious youth billiard event in North America. From
Steve Sherman is an Advanced Instructor for the Professional Billiard Instructors Association (PBIA) and the Vice President and a lead instructor for the youth Break and Run program at the Billiard Education Foundation (BEF).
there, top performers have the chance to represent the United States at the WPA World Junior Billiard Championships, competing against the best junior players from approximately 30 countries.
8. How can room owners and operators get involved in promoting junior billiards?
For PBIA Instructors, room owners, business, and future sponsors wondering how they can get involved, the answer is simple: you're essential to this ecosystem. Donating your time to these juniors, donating to the BEF, hosting state championships, or providing space for clinics and practice sessions makes you a cornerstone of junior development in your community. Beyond just providing tables, room owners can help promote these events locally, connect us with potential sponsors, and create welcoming environments where young players feel encouraged to develop their skills. Your facility can become the launch pad for the next generation of champions.
Room owners may contact PBIA Instructors Roy Pastor and Steve Sherman or the BEF for assistance. The BEF launched regional tours in the Northeast and Southwest, providing the kind of multi-stop competitive opportunities that were previously available only to adult players. The New England Junior American Billiard Championship Series now features six stops across Massachusetts, Rhode Island, New Hampshire, Maine, and Connecticut, while the Southwest Tour covers California, Arizona, New Mexico, and soon to be Nevada. We will continue to expand BEF regional tours across the country over time.
9. Can you share any insights on how to attract new sponsors for billiards events?
These regional tours have revealed something profound about these young competitors. I've been genuinely moved by the dedication these kids show—traveling eight hours by car, staying in hotels, even boarding planes to compete at multiple tour stops. One thing has become crystal clear: these events matter deeply to them. But the impact extends far beyond the players
themselves. Watching social media posts from families, friends, and entire communities rallying around their young competitors has been truly moving. The support these regional tours and state championships receive from industry leaders and the community is so critical to making these events a reality. Premier companies such as Simonis, Brunswick, Pechauer, and Babushka have donated generously to my state events. Room owners who host these championships, local businesses, and individual community members all contribute to making these events possible. As PBIA instructors and tournament directors, we donate our time to organize and run these events, but we couldn't do it without this broader network of support. Looking ahead, we're actively working to expand sponsorship beyond traditional billiards companies, seeking partnerships that will provide even more funding for events and offer travel and equipment assistance to help more kids participate.
10. What are your goals for the future of junior billiards in the US?
This spirit of collaboration in billiards instruction has also gone global. PBIA Certified Instructor Galiek Saville launched an enormously successful school program in South Africa called Pool4Change. At the defining phase of this program, PBIA Master Instructor Roy Pastor helped in providing curriculum and learning tools from the Break and Run program & certifying numerous South African instructors to help Gailiek get the program started. Pool4Change now operates in 224 schools serving 14,000 students. Roy Pastor and I have also brought junior competition global through Roy’s unique International Junior Billiard Series. These online 9-ball ghost tournaments provide unique opportunities for kids of all ages and skill levels to compete internationally without the expense and inconvenience of travel. So far we have held successful online tournaments with United States, Slovenia, Poland, and South Africa. We are striving to expand these tournaments to other countries and other disciplines, such as 14.1 or skillsbased tournaments in the future.
1. Can you explain the German National Coaching requirements for coaching billiards?
The German coaching system is divided into the following sections: Assistant to the Trainer, Trainer C Popular Sports, Coach C Competitive Sports, Coach B Competitive Sports, Coach A Competitive Sports.
In the first two levels of the German coaching system, you start as an assistant to the trainer. This step requires 60 lessons (45 minutes each) total, split into 30 theoretical lessons and 30 practical lessons. You gain knowledge about laws (duty of supervision, child protection), diversity management, and gender mainstreaming.
In practical lessons, you get taught how to teach the right anatomical stance, types of bridges, and how to strike a ball. Of course, there’s much more you learn in the first 30 practical lessons, which include the ghost ball aiming system, draw shots, follow shots, and stop shots.
On top of that, you will have to play the Playing Ability Test - Level Start. You will learn about the construction of a billiard table and other materials like balls, cues, and chalk. In the end, you need to take a multiplechoice test containing 30 questions.
If you want to proceed further and become a billiard trainer (C-level), you will need to attend 120 more
lessons. It’s a much more detailed course. Of course, there are 30 practical lessons included as well. This time it’s about corrections, English, special techniques (reaching over balls, cue ball frozen to the rail, and much more.
I let my participants explain billiard drills as they need to learn in front of a group. This gets recorded and shared with this group, so they can see themselves and improve the way they teach. Every trainer must take a first aid course to be prepared for emergencies. After those 120 lessons, they have their final exam as a C-level trainer. It’s set up to be held at the weekend. Around 30 trainers-to-be come together and will have a verbal exam containing 30 questions, another multiple-choice test, and 10 drills you need to play (three attempts, you have the opportunity to correct yourself).
The highlight is a 20-minute practical exam. You draw your topic out of several, like a lottery. General topics are Pool Billiards, Snooker, Carom Billiards, History, Playing Ability Test and Material. These topics are divided into several subtopics, like cue purchase advice for parents, beginner lessons for 9-ball, introduction to snooker, and so on. Topics like high-speed video analysis, psychology, preparation for championships, as well as advanced technique training (jump shots, massé shots, banking and kicking systems, break shots).
2. How do you think the PBIA's training methods align with the goals of moving sport forward?
As I am a Coach A Competitive Sports and Head Instructor for the Deutsche Billard Union, as well as a PBIA Advanced Certified Instructor, I compare those two systems and see how they align. The PBIA goals align with the instructor’s goals. The PBIA instructors are connected in social media groups and share their knowledge. The instructors do this voluntarily to help other instructors get better and have more tools in their toolbox. Single drills are shared as well as whole workbooks, as well as techniques like working with line lasers to improve the visualization of errors. Senior coaches work together with new coaches as mentors to help them in several aspects of their coaching.
3. How do you see the International Certified Instructors Summit evolving in the future?
The yearly International Certified Instructors Summit is held, where PBIA instructors from all over the world can attend. In the past, this was an in-person meeting, but with the PBIA growing worldwide, we held a hybrid version with live streaming to share best practices.
4. What benefits do you think live streams can bring to sharing best practices among instructors?
From nutrition to billiard history, event planning to selfreflection, biology (heart-lung circuit) to how muscles work, didactics and methods, you get the complete package.
5. Can you tell us about any top instructors or coaches who might participate in the 2026 summit?
The summit will be held in July 2026, but as of today, we have not finished our planning on the final date or location.
6. How can US instructors benefit from learning about international coaching methods? Best practices
PBIA Advanced Certified Instructor
Patrick Hummel holds a certification from the German Olympic Sports Confederation as an A-Level coach and is also an affiliate instructor for the Billiard University.
1. Can you tell us about your role in promoting billiards in Japan?
I 've been helping Japanese professional pool players with their language barrier, tournament-related issues, travel arrangements, contracts for their sponsorship, and so on in the last 5 years or so. Also, in 2022, I put together a contract for CSI USA League Japan. The main goals were to expand the USA League overseas and to spread the Fargo Rate in Japan. There was incredible support from Ozzy Reynolds, Owner / CEO of CSI, Amy Kane, General Manager of CSI, and Mike Page of Fargo Rate.
2. How have you contributed to building the PBIA's brand in Japan and beyond?
During the COVID-19 pandemic, I saw so many pool halls closing, and so I wondered if there was anything I could do to help. I visited nearby pool halls and began distributing free promotional videos for social media. Furthermore, in July 2021, I became a Recognized Instructor at the PBIA (Featured in Japan’s Cue's Magazine November 2021 issue). During the Pandemic, no one was flying in to assess me for Certification, so I spent 1 year posting my runouts on social media and sent the link to PBIA. After approval for my playing skills, Bob Jewett trained me to become a Recognized Instructor. I cannot thank you enough for flying into Los Angeles during the Pandemic. He will be my
forever mentor. We are in the process of expanding PBIA instructors in Japan.
3. Can you discuss any notable successes or achievements among Japanese PBIA members?
“OkinawaRob” Moreno, PBIA Master Instructor, who owned 3 pool rooms on Okinawa, developed the strategic business model for the Okinawa Pocket Billiards Club (ONPC). Since 1998, they have sponsored orphans who lost both parents in car accidents by hosting their community event each year and raising over $8000 each year from the pool to build their community.
The PBIA is more than just teaching fundamentals; instructors build their communities and help room owners build returning customers.
4. How do you see the PBIA's global outreach impacting the sport of billiards in Asia?
I started helping Japanese professional pool players with their language barrier, tournament-related issues, travel arrangements, contracts for their sponsorship, and so on.
I also became a member of the Japan Billiards Association (NBA) in 2022. During 2022, I put together a contract for CSI USA League Japan. We will have more growth in education/training junior players for the future pros.
5. What are your thoughts on the PBIA's new direction towards global outreach?
It is a great exposure to the pool community for both teaching and learning perspectives. I played pool for six years during college, influenced by my older brother. The University of Northern Iowa had a great pool room on campus, and I spent some time playing there. Soon after graduation, I moved to Los Angeles, and I quit playing due to other priorities of my life: Job, marriage, and kids. After 22 years, I returned to playing once a week in 2018. Shortly after, I took the billiards certification exam when I visited Japan and passed with an S3 (featured in Cue's Magazine September 2019 issue). There are many players who enjoy pool and could become PBIA Certified around the world, gaining our shared best practices and helping build this sport globally.
6. Can you tell us about any certified instructors or members from Japan who have made significant contributions?
Leslie Rogers is one of the four founding members of the PBIA and a Master Instructor living in Chiba Japan. His dedication to the technical side of learning helped build the former BCA Instructor program that led to the current PBIA program.
7. How do you see the addition of new countries to PBIA’s global membership impacting the organization?
These are the qualifications for “Coach / Instructor" in major industries. They all require some sort of "Skill test" or equivalent. Most sports coaches require other certifications such as CPR, Safety, First Aid, harassment course, abuse prevention, and teaching youth programs. Background checks are mandatory for all these organizations. The PBIA offers background checks for all, and on the www.playbetterbilliards.com website, those who have completed the background checks are listed at the top of each location with the verified badge on the profiles.
1. How do you envision the company's strategic direction evolving over the next 3-5 years?
Since 1993, the PBIA has moved forward in the instruction of pool and billiards and established instructors at various levels. The vision is to take the existing program and expand the mentorship with a quality focused on execution of best practices from all instructors, coaches, and professional players to increase the quality of instruction and bring the program into the online instruction age with accredited online courses added to our accredited in-person academies, traveling courses, and over 400 active instructors worldwide.
2. What are the top three risks you believe the board should be focusing on?
Top of the list: Confirmation of Ability during the certification process. In the past, it was very easy to attend and pass certification without teaching any students in person. One of our first changes with the new board members required that all new instructors submit an instructional video prior to the certification being approved by the PBIA board member and issuing the certification.
Second on the list, moving up the certification levels without performing the requirements. The grandfathered-in paperwork signature upgrades are no longer approved.
Third is retention, as we update a new system of dues and accountability. Since 1993, dues have been the same. To offer more services, we will implement new rates, and before we raised our dues, we started to implement improvements at the BCA/PBIA level.
As the Chairman, I have become available to assist all members with any situation and devote time and energy to helping members with resources and solving concerns. Adding more involvement in the International Certified Instructors Summit each year, we are showcasing best practices in developing our instructors’ skills, business, and tools for creating workbooks, handouts, articles, and helping those who want to showcase skills online how to develop their own online academies.
3. What key metrics do you use to evaluate the company's performance?
Are we growing the program? That answer is yes. Are the members understanding the value of membership? More instructors are starting to see value in the changes we have implemented and have shown support for our direction. Yes, and we will actively continue. Are we mentoring those who require additional assistance when we hear about concerns? I take calls each week and reach out more for mentorship when customers call me to alert me to situations, and our first job is to investigate and build a plan to improve. This goes for the
instructor and the certifying instructor as well, to avoid issues in the future. Are we building the brand with our industry members? We are active in welcoming best practices from global partnerships that will improve those who attend the ICI Summits or the BCA Expo and Trade Show, and improve how Advanced and Master Instructors teach certification courses.
4. What benefits do you think online training can bring to student learning?
Online learning is common today, and learning at your own pace is growing due to the ability of the student to process the information in smaller parts and rewatch the lessons until they understand and gain the questions, they need to work with the instructor to gain clarity before the next lesson. In a group course and limited timeframe, some students don’t have questions until they start understanding the material at a deeper level. When a volume of lessons is provided, you often forget what you covered in class and focus on the lessons you enjoyed or were able to perform.
5. What benefits do you think in-person certifications can bring to student learning?
Advanced and Master Instructors can watch you lead a class and should be assisting with your efforts in teaching students. When certifications are awarded without the applicant teaching a student both in person and/or online, the confirmation of ability is not displayed. Implementing our first change that requires new candidates to submit a video of themselves teaching will help to ensure the applicant has the ability to teach the material.
6. Tell us about what’s happening with the PBIA?
The PBIA is currently building the Learning Management Software platform for continuing education. Once launched, we will have lessons on display for each level of instruction from participating Advanced and
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Nominated and selected to become the 15th Master Certified Instructor with the PBIA in June 2013.
For over six decades, Randy Goettlicher has been a monumental figure in the world of billiards, not just as a player or promoter, but as a driving force behind the sport's professionalization and education. A true titan of the felt, Goettlicher—Master Instructor ACS/PBIA/ SPF—has dedicated an incredible 65 years to supporting and promoting the billiard industry, a journey that began in 1958 when, at the age of 16, he first picked up a cue. Born on June 4, 1942, Randy's impact stretches across rules, leagues, tournaments, and, most enduringly, the certification of instructors who now carry his expertise worldwide. His recent dual honor—being voted into both the American Cue Sports (ACS) Hall of Fame and the Texas Billiards Hall of Fame in 2024—is a welldeserved recognition of a lifetime devoted to the game.
The Early Blueprint: Leagues and Rules
Randy Goettlicher’s vision for a structured, professional billiards community began to take shape early. His first official contact with the billiard world’s establishment came in 1965. Seeking a reliable rule set to run a tournament in Minnesota, he reached out to the Billiard Congress of America (BCA). This call connected him with the late Mr. Robert Froeschle, Director of the US OPEN, who suggested a profound path: write a set of rules and send them in. This was the start of a deep and lasting relationship with the BCA and Froeschle, which continued until Robert’s passing in 1995.
This groundwork in organization led to the birth of a league behemoth. In 1983, Goettlicher created the Southwest Eightball League (SWEL). This league was a staunch supporter of the BCA and, for 25 years, reigned as the largest BCA Sanctioned Pool League in the USA. Even after rebranding, its spirit lives on. Randy’s entrepreneurial and organizational acumen didn't stop there; he was also the First VNEA League Operator in Dallas and the First APA League Operator in the State of Texas, effectively laying the league foundation for a massive state. Goettlicher’s influence extends directly to the game's core structure: its rules.
Serving on or as chairperson of the BCA/WPA Rules Committee for a span of over 30 years, he worked alongside legends like Willie Mosconi, Jimmy Caras, Jerry Briesath, Gary Benson, and Belinda Beardon. This committee is responsible for the current 8 & 9-Ball Rules and, crucially, introduced to the World the 1st "Ball-In-Hand" Rule Set for modern-day 8-ball. This single change revolutionized the game. Further cementing his rules legacy, his promotions group, Texas Express Promotions Group, co-founded with John McChesney and Robin Adair, gave rise to the Texas Express 9-Ball Rules, which became the standard for The McDermott National Nine-Ball Tour, a circuit Goettlicher ran for 15 years, crisscrossing the country for as many as 25 tour stops annually.
Randy also made his mark in tournament formats. Along with his wife, Karen, he developed the Scotch Doubles (Jack & Jill) couple’s format, featuring alternating shots. A testament to its brilliance, Scotch Doubles is still played and enjoyed worldwide! The couple unveiled this format for the very first time ever at the BCA Nationals in the early 80s.
The Birth of Instruction: CUE-TECH and the SPF IDEOLOGY
The bedrock of Randy Goettlicher’s instructional empire was established in 1982 with the co-founding of CUE-TECH in Dallas, Tx. This record-breaking Pool School quickly became the gold standard. Under the brain trust of four BCA Master Instructors, CUETECH's instructional and marketing framework gave birth to the SPF IDEOLOGY. From 1995 to 2005, the school's leadership saw hundreds of students a year— from all walks of life—come through their doors, along with aspiring instructors. Though rebranded in 2009 to (The Billiard Zone), the core mission of excellence in teaching remains.
Randy took CUE-TECH's mission on the road to support the pool community directly. During the BCA National Tournament in Las Vegas (1995-2005), CUE-TECH had a dedicated private room with two teaching tables, where instructors offered free hands-on lessons to anyone who walked in, averaging about 200 players a day. He continues to provide this vital opportunity for players at the ACS National Tournament in Las Vegas.
His commitment to education wasn't confined to the U.S. Goettlicher was selected from North America’s leading billiard authorities to travel to China. There, he worked with the Education branch of the Chinese government, where he developed a national standard for several pool teaching techniques and also how to build and maintain a pool league system—a crowning highlight of his international influence.
Shaping the Teachers: The ACS/PBIA Instructor Programs
Perhaps Goettlicher's most enduring contribution is his pivotal role in creating and nurturing the billiards instructor certification programs that exist today. In 1992, he was one of the four Original BCA Master Instructors—alongside Jerry Briesath, Leslie Rogers, and Richard Rohr—chosen to format and start the growth of the newly formed BCA Instructors program. This initiative laid the foundation for professional, standardized pool instruction globally.
Randy has since certified more than 300 Instructors into the program over the years, disseminating his unparalleled knowledge and professionalism. His leadership in this field has been consistent:
• He served as the PBIA Instructor’s Committee Chairperson and remains a member & consultant.
• He formally chaired the ACS Instructor’s Committee
• In 2018, he was deservedly named PBIA “Instructor of the Year”.
Today, he continues to shape the future of instruction as the Director/Coordinator for the first-ever co-op (ACS/ PBIA) Instructors Summit in Quincy, Il., for 2023-24, fostering collaboration between the sport's leading educational bodies.
An Advocate for the Sport
Randy Goettlicher's service to the sport extends far beyond teaching. He spent 20 years working with the BCA during their annual TRADE SHOWS, hosting seminars directed toward Room Proprietors on Building, Maintaining & Sanctioning In-House Pool Leagues and Tournaments to bolster their businesses. He also served a term on the BCA Board of Directors in the early 90s, where, on the League & Programs Committee, he worked directly with Mr. John Lewis, during which time the BCA League system doubled in membership.
His dedication to the game’s future generations is also stellar. For 20 years running, he was the Master of Ceremonies for the awesome “CHALLENGE of the STARS”, raising tens of thousands of dollars to support the Junior Pool Programs under the BILLIARD EDUCATION FOUNDATION (BEF). He also served as the USA’s Juniors Team Leader three years running, with the notable highlight of traveling with the team to Borlange, Sweden, for the World Championships.
Goettlicher was even instrumental in standardizing the officiating of the game, serving as the Original Trainer of the BCA’s Referee program. During the 80s, he mentored under the late, great Gary Benson as assistant Tournament Director, even taking charge of the officiating crew.
Even today, in addition to his instructor roles, he is the Currently Chairperson of the ACS’s Hall of Fame Committee, ensuring the sport’s most important contributors are recognized.
From creating one of the largest pool leagues in the country to co-founding the national instructor program, developing world-famous rules and formats, and being honored with a dual Hall of Fame induction, Randy Goettlicher's impact on billiards is immeasurable. His statement, "Over sixty-five years in building & supporting our sport, and I’m just getting started!", is less a boast and more a promise that this Master Instructor's legacy will continue to guide the billiard world for years to come.
Every great pool player carries a few secrets—small, hard-earned lessons that separate the average shooter from the true master. Some secrets are about aiming systems, others about spin or position play. But perhaps the most valuable secret of all lies in something deceptively simple: the backswing.
In the game of pool and billiards, precision, control, and consistency are the true markers of excellence. Among the many elements that influence a successful shot, few are as underestimated as the backswing—the motion that draws the cue away from the cue ball before striking it. While most players focus primarily on the stops in the stroke or the forward swing, it’s the backswing that often determines whether a shot will hold up under pressure.
I’ll never forget something Nick Varner once told me. He said, “If the shot falls apart, it’s usually because of a fast or jerky backswing.” In fact, Nick had a clever way of keeping himself in check. When he was on the road playing tournaments, he trained his wife to watch his rhythm from the stands. If his backswing ever sped up, she would catch his eye and quietly mouth one word— “slow.” That one simple cue became his anchor, helping him stay calm, controlled, and perfectly timed even under championship pressure.
A slow, properly executed backswing fosters a straight stroke, promotes accuracy, and eliminates tension. It
gives you rhythm, balance, and the confidence to deliver every shot with purpose and precision. It may not sound like a big secret—but once you master it, you’ll realize it’s one of the most powerful fundamentals in the game.
Generating Power with Control
While some players believe that a faster backswing is needed to generate more power, this is a misconception. Power in pool and billiards comes from a controlled, smooth, accelerated motion in the forward swing, rather than a hurried backswing. A slow, steady backswing allows the player to store energy in the stroke, which is then released during the forward motion.
In contrast, a fast backswing can lead to jerky, uncontrolled motions that disrupt the timing of the shot. When the cue stick is rushed, the player loses the ability to smoothly transfer energy into the cue ball, leading to weak or inconsistent shots. A slow backswing ensures that the player can harness maximum control while still generating the necessary power for the shot.
Consistency in Your Game:
Consistency is crucial for success in pool and billiards. By incorporating a slow backswing into your routine, you develop a repeatable motion that you can rely on in
every shot. This consistency leads to fewer mistakes and allows players to become more confident in their stroke.
Over time, a slow backswing can become second nature, helping you to approach every shot with the same mindset and technique. This consistency breeds confidence, which is essential for players aiming to improve their game and perform under pressure.
Metronome
Pro players often use a metronome set to a 2-second beat to improve their stroke timing and rhythm. By setting the metronome to a steady 2-second interval, the player synchronizes their backswing and followthrough with the metronome’s clicks. On the first click, the player pulls the cue stick back to their full backswing (about 1.5 seconds), and then on the second click, they strike the cue ball. This exercise helps the player develop a consistent, smooth delivery for all of their shots, preventing rushed or jerky movements while building muscle memory for proper stroke timing. Practicing with the metronome encourages control and steadiness, which is crucial for making accurate, well-timed shots under pressure.
Anthony Beeler is the current Billiards Instructor of the Decade and is a former BCAPL National Champion. He has numerous “Top 25” national finishes and is the primary author of the ACS National Billiards Instructor’s Manual. He has also authored the book Unstoppable! Positive Thinking for Pool Players. Anthony currently has the highest established Fargo Rating of any Master Instructor. He has won over 300 tournaments and has defeated numerous professional players in tournament competition.
Drill: The 15-Ball Rhythm Challenge:
Purpose: Build precision, timing, and confidence using a metronome-guided two-second stroke rhythm.
Setup:
• Randomly throw 15 balls across the table.
• Set a metronome to 30 beats per minute (BPM) — this produces a click every 2 seconds, giving you roughly 1.5 seconds for the backswing and ½ second for the forward stroke.
Execution:
1. Choose any shot and get down into your stance.
2. On the first click, begin your backswing—take the full 1.5 seconds to draw the cue straight back in one smooth motion.
3. Deliver the forward stroke over the next half second, letting the cue glide effortlessly through the cue ball on the second click.
4. Stay down on the shot and pause briefly at the finish before standing.
5. Continue this rhythm on each of the 15 balls, staying perfectly synchronized to the metronome.
Pro Tip:
Treat the metronome like a drummer in a band—it keeps you honest. The rhythm won’t speed up or slow down, so it exposes any tendency to rush your backswing or jab your delivery.
Players with calm, deliberate strokes maintain better alignment, better control, and far fewer mechanical breakdowns. If your stroke feels rushed or tight, slow the tempo down until it feels almost too slow—then make that your new normal.
Goal:
Pocket all 15 balls while maintaining flawless rhythm with the metronome.
If your timing slips, reset your breathing and restart. Master this drill, and you’ll discover that slowing your backswing down is the fastest way to raise your entire level of play.
Conclusion:
The slow backswing in pool and billiards is an essential aspect of shot technique that offers numerous benefits. It provides greater precision and control, minimizes mistakes, generates power with consistency, and helps players develop a steady, repeatable stroke. Furthermore, it promotes mental focus and calmness, which are critical for high-level performance. Whether you’re a beginner or an advanced player, focusing on a slow and controlled backswing is an effective way to elevate your game and improve your overall shot-making ability. By practicing and refining this aspect of your technique, you’ll see noticeable improvements in your consistency and accuracy on the table.
Many people over the years have asked me why and how I got into teaching pool. My mom was a teacher when I was young, and I realized early that I enjoyed education. I knew I liked learning, and I knew I liked helping people.
I became a billiard instructor firstly for my love of education. I love to learn, and I love to teach. Teaching holds a huge place in my heart as I have many teachers in my family. Secondly, I became a billiards instructor because I loved pool!
I started playing pool when I was 16, and by the time I hit 21, I was already a strong player. Dedicating 10 hours a day for 5 years will do that to you. By age 23. I decided to take the first step into becoming a billiards instructor by joining the American Cuesports Alliance (ACS). Three years ago (2023), I became a Master Instructor with the Professional Billiards Instructors Association (PBIA).
I wanted to thank SPM Magazine for the support of the instructors personally. Garret, Matt, and others do a lot behind the scenes, and the fact that they work to help get information out from us specifically to the reader means a lot.
Here is some material that I would like to offer you today, as someone who has studied the game for a long time and has taught many.
G1’s Five Questions Pool Players Should Know the Answers To
1 - Does becoming a billiards instructor make a player play better?
Answer:
No, becoming a billiards instructor gives the player proper information that, if practiced, can increase a player's ability.
2 - Does being a billiards instructor keep a player in “stroke”?
Answer:
Surprisingly… Yes! We talk about pool all the time, so it isn't easy to have an on and off switch. I often give lessons right before leagues and tournaments, and I often play pretty well and fairly consistently.
3 -Does a player need to gamble to get better?
Answer:
NO!!!!! Gambling is a completely different mindset from a tournament, they are different. Most tournaments are smaller races (5 to 9). If you are gambling, normally the minimum race is 7 to 9 games. The tournament player isn’t used to being at the table for that length of time as a gambler, which is also why gamblers don’t prefer tournaments as much as gambling.
4 - What does a player have to do to reach the professional world?
Answer:
Dedicate their life to playing the game. Many players will never achieve a 700 Fargo status due to the other things that come up in their lives. Family and work are two of the many things that can challenge a player’s improvement.
5 - Can an instructor teach a player something if the player's FargoRate, or any handicap, is higher than the instructor's?
Answer:
YES!!!!! People talk about instructors and FargoRate all the time. Whereas a high Fargo for the instructor shows they are a capable player, a high or low FargoRate does NOT mean that the instructor can’t teach a player anything. FargoRate has NOTHING to do with being a billiards instructor.
G1’s Five Questions/Statements Players
Ask A Billiards Instructor vs Five Questions/Statements Players Should Ask a Billiards Instructor.
Question Players AskWill you please check if my stroke is straight?
Question Players Should AskWill you please look over my fundamentals?
Answer:
In my opinion, 90% of stroke issues come from fundamental issues. This may have to do with stance and alignment. Going over the entire concept instead of just the stroke.
Statement Players SaysI want to learn better patterns.
Question Players Should AskHow can I improve my decision-making?
Eric Naretto is a two time State and National Champion. An instructor for 13 years, he is currently a Master Instructor with the PBIA and a Level 4 Instructor with the ACS. In July of 2025, Eric was awarded the Inaugural American Cuesports Outstanding Instructor of the Year Award.
Answer:
Decisions influence everything in Pool. Learning how to play percentages is key in pool. Players kick in specific ways because the percentage of hitting the ball is higher. Players move the cue ball in certain ways, which allows for different types of patterns. If a player wants to increase their pattern play, they need to increase their decision-making skills. In pool, most of the time this means learning how to move the cue ball better, which goes back to the answer of question 1.
If a player becomes consistent in sighting a shot, eye patterns, and entry, the player is more likely to be consistent with ball pocketing and cue ball movement.
Question Players Ask -
How do I become more consistent during the game?
Question Players Should Ask -
Can you help me develop a consistent pre-shot routine?
Answer:
The first question is actually a good question. I answer that question with a question and ask, “How consistent is what you are doing before you hit the cue ball? A preshot routine is extremely important in playing pool. Consistency starts before a player gets down on the cue ball. If a player becomes consistent in sighting a shot, eye patterns, and entry, the player is more likely to be consistent with ball pocketing and cue ball movement.
Question Players Ask -
How do I stop being a six ball hero?
Question Players Should Ask -
How do I stay mentally focused during the game?
Answer:
An ability block is caused by the player’s emotions getting the better of them during gameplay. These are the two pieces of advice I can give…
1. Know the difference between nerves and excitement. Being nervous comes with self doubt that you will not execute a shot well. Being excited is a positive feeling that the player must deal with as well. Both feelings cause adrenaline, which causes the heart to race, hands to clam, and the body to shake. Remember that the only pressure that is put on the shot is the pressure you put on the shot.
2. Embrace the shakes. Long story short, someone told me once that if you don’t shake, you don’t care. Shaking, whether nerves or excitement, is a sign that you have emotion in what you’re doing. To this day, I still smile every time I get down on a shot and shake, because this conversation pops in my head and I immediately take a step back, take a break, and work on creating a strong execution.
Statement Players SaysI need help with my speed control.
Question Players Should Ask -
How do I develop speed control?
Answer:
Speed control comes from the swing. The swing is composed of the backswing, the pause, and the followthrough. Most people believe that speeds change by speeding up and slowing down the follow-through, and whereas this is possible, it’s not consistent enough to play at a high level. High-level players change the pull-back amounts in their backswing and follow through at the same rate they pulled back, or they accelerate through the cueball. Very rare will a player have to decelerate a swing, but it does happen on occasion.
A little different article this month, but valuable information for a player to think about. If you have any questions, comments, or concerns, please feel free to contact me. One thing I love more than talking about pool is finding out more about the game. Until next time.
Get Your Shoulders Right
“The
Rifleman” Buddy Hall Did!
It was recently called to my attention that on an AccuStats video, the great Buddy Hall discussed that there was a difference in his alignment technique depending on “if I’m shooting over my right or my left shoulder”. As a favor, I was asked to shed some light on what Buddy was talking about.
I’m certain that I heard this very same conversation many years ago when Buddy was doing a commentary with Billy Incardona. I admit that Hall’s reference to shoulder aiming went in one ear and out the other, and I was clueless as to what The Rifleman was talking about. At the time, I wasn’t ready to digest anything about shoulders and shooting, but I’m all in with it now.
Thanks to Center-to-Edge Aiming (CTE), my vision has been completely reprogrammed, and my body knows how to really align. So I count this work as a golden opportunity to study and share what Hall could have possibly meant when he referenced his shoulders as being critical to his shooting style.
Let’s get down to some details about how awareness of the shoulders and their function for alignment can help any player play the game more correctly.
I have been quite vocal for the past two decades that top players do not move straight down into their shot lines. A constant in my comprehensive Center-to-Edge Aiming book is that players rotate or bend into their alignments. Did Buddy Hall use a combination of rotational and bending movements rather than moving straight in? Positively, absolutely, 100 percent! There can be no doubt that Hall’s standing visual alignments prompted specific physical movements that are synonymous with exactly how one’s body functions for the Center-to-Edge Aiming system known as PRO ONE.
Words alone will never convince anyone that Hall used rotations and bends as an integral part of his shooting system. What he and all the top players do must be experienced, so let’s make that happen.
The following diagrammed cue ball-object ball relationships set the stage for you to experience a rotation and a bend to a half-ball center. It’s the bending motion or the rotational movement that supports the focusing of your vision toward a specific half of the cue ball. For example, if your movement is to the right, your alignment to the center will be based on the right edge of the cue ball. Should your movement be to the left, your alignment to the center will be based on the left edge of the cue ball.
Two Setups (Four Shots)
SETUP ONE:
RIGHT-HANDED PLAYER, LEFT SHOULDER ROTATION
• Set up one, Shot A is a left cut to pocket three.
• Stand with your vision to the inside of the cue ballobject ball relationship as shown in the image. The nose is turned to the inside.
• Notice that the right eye is in charge of seeing the middle of the cue ball.
• It’s proper to stand in such a way that you’ll sense that your left shoulder will rotate to the left as you move into full stance.
• The rotation to the left naturally draws your vision to the left half of the cue ball.
• The left shoulder rotates to a position that allows the player to feel that the aim is over the left shoulder.
• Your alignment to the half-ball center will be based on the left cue ball edge.
• Your visual alignment to the center is your choice. In other words, you will sweep from your outside eye while standing to your strongest line of sight for full stance.
SETUP ONE:
LEFT-HANDED PLAYER, LEFT SHOULDER/BEND
• Set up one, Shot B is a left cut to pocket three.
• Stand with your vision to the inside of the cue ballobject ball relationship as shown in the image. The nose is turned to the inside.
• Your right eye should be in a position to see the middle of the cue ball.
• It’s proper to stand in such a way that you must execute a bending motion to the left to arrive at the shot line.
• The bending movement will naturally move your vision slightly to the left to see the left half of the cue ball.
• In a full stance, you should feel that your aim is over the left shoulder. The alignment to the half-ball center will be based on the left cue ball edge.
• The outside eye is naturally dominant while standing. But for full stance, the player aligns to his personal line of sight.
SETUP TWO: RIGHT-HANDED PLAYER, RIGHT SHOULDER/BEND
• Setup two. Shot A is a right cut to pocket one.
• Stand with your vision to the inside of the cue ballobject ball relationship as shown in the image. The nose is turned to the inside.
• For this alignment, the left eye will be dominant for working with the middle of the cue ball.
• It’s proper to stand in such a way that a bending motion to the right is necessary for transitioning to the shot line. During the transition, the focus on the cue ball will be weighted toward its right half. The shot line center will be based on the right edge of the cue ball.
• The bending to the right will result in your vision moving minutely to the right. It’s during the bend toward full stance that your outside eye alignment changes to your personal dominance for aligning to the half-ball center.
• A right-handed player should experience a prominent feeling that the line of aim is directly over the right shoulder.
• Set up two. Shot B is a right cut to pocket one.
• Stand with your vision to the inside of the cue ballobject ball relationship as shown in the image. The nose is to the inside.
• The left eye will be dominant for seeing the middle of the cue ball.
• Stand in such a way that the right shoulder naturally rotates toward the right as you transition to full stance. During the transition to full stance the eyes will be drawn to the right half of the cue ball.
• The shot solution center will be based on the right cue ball edge. The outside vision line was dominant while standing. For a full stance, it’s the player’s personal dominance that aligns to the half-ball center.
CONTINUES ON PAGE 51
The secret to playing great pool is pocketing balls. And the secret to pocketing balls is always getting closer to your next shot. We do this by “playing position”. In this article, I want to examine the types of position plays we can make and the skills involved in making these plays. Understanding what skills you need to play great position and then what skills you need to work on will help improve your position play, and your win percentage.
The first kind of position that we can play is the simplest, stop-ball position. Here is a simple triangle of balls that we can take off by just using a stop shot.
As you can see from this diagram, all we have to do to pocket these three balls is shoot stop shots. The skill set here requires you to shoot stop shots at varying distances. A great way to practice this is to throw balls on the table and randomly shoot stop shots. You aren’t trying to pocket the balls, only to shoot stop shots at various distances. Not as easy as it sounds. The trick to finding stop shot patterns is looking for triangles. The idea here is that in a triangle, one ball leads to the next one, and you don’t need to do any cue ball work to get to the next ball.
For practice, remove the chalk from your tip and randomly throw a rack of balls on the table. Take ballin-hand and try to run three balls using only stop shots. Sounds super easy, but the minute you start thinking about a little draw here, some low left there, you will fail! Too much cue ball work! Learn to see the easy triangles, and your game will improve.
The next type of position is similar to stop ball position, but requires sophisticated cue ball manipulation. Punch forward an inch, draw back a diamond, hold the cue ball inside a certain line, etc. Here is an old-time exercise that will help you learn the types of skills you need. We will explore some of these skills later.
The object of this drill is to pocket all the balls and keep the cue ball in the center of the circle. This will force you to manipulate the cue ball in small amounts and keep the correct lines on shots. You must stay in the circle and not bump any balls when doing this drill.
The third type of position play is angles and speed position. Here, we need to get on the right side of the shot line, so all we have to do is pocket the object ball and roll the cue ball to our next position. The skill required here is having the ability to roll the cue ball a desired distance.
Notice in this diagram that we are on the wrong side of the one ball. To have a greater margin of error, we would rather be above the shot line here so that we can roll two rails and be coming down the line of the shot, giving us a much greater margin of error for speed control.
In this example, we need to be able to roll our cue ball to a much smaller target shown in the circle. Understanding the difference between coming down the line and how precise you have to be, and coming across the line is a key concept in using angle and speed position. Try practicing this shot as in the diagram to hone your ability to precisely control a rolling cue ball. It is always better to be coming down the line, but it is also nice to know that you have the skill set to roll to a precise spot when you have to.
And, the final type of position is execution position. That is when you have to make a heroic shot to bail yourself out of a jam. A table-length draw with inside spin or something equally ridiculous. You would be better off playing a safety when you have to do too much with a shot.
Good luck understanding these types of positioning. Know what you are weakest at and practice.
See you in the next article.
Pool is one of the sports that can be enjoyed for many years. If you can pick up a cue, you can experience the joy this game brings. We all have different beginnings. Some start very young, growing up in a house with a pool table. Some started a little later when they could start going to the pool room. Some first picked up a cue in college.
For others, it is later in life. The constant is that people enjoy playing when they do get started. People take breaks from time to time, but eventually they will come back. The game has that effect on people. Some people don’t branch out a lot. They may only play one or two different games, or they stick to league play
or tournament play. Whatever works for each player works for them. Some people, however, want to delve into this game as much as they can. Some want to play as many different games as they can and play as many formats as they can.
For over 50 years, Linda Carter has been immersing herself in all aspects of the billiards industry. She got hooked on playing this game in college on pool tables at the student union. Something about the game drew her in. She started playing on a pool league team that had never placed well before. Within a year, that team was first in their division. Her determination and grit to get better were evident and rubbed off on her teammates.
The will to get better drove her to take a lesson with world champion Dan Louie. Linda was a competitive State gymnast in high school, which contributed to her fighting spirit in pool. Even though you are on a team, gymnastics is a very individual sport. It’s just you competing with everyone else in the event you practiced for. It’s the same in pool. It’s just you against your opponent on the table. This drive led her to find success in all levels of play, from being honored by the VNEA, taking the Grand Master title, and 2 Queen of the Hill titles in the Western BCA, to qualify for both the WPBA tour and being the only one of 15 women on the IPT tour.
Just like in gymnastics, Linda wanted to learn all the different aspects of cue sports. This led her to not only play just 8-ball and rotation games, but also one pocket, banks, and even dabbling in artistic and speed pool. Her success led her to become the house pro at several different pool rooms, as well as running a very successful women’s tour in the Northwest. Today, Linda still enjoys the game as much as ever. Life is really busy as she not only publishes a local social emagazine and does a little caretaking, but also plays BCAPL and USAPL leagues, and a Women’s league in Grants Pass, and various weekly tournaments, as well as being house pro at Rack ‘Em where she runs tournaments and gives lessons.
Her next immediate goal is filming online casual lessons for the beginner to intermediate, with tips that you probably won’t find anywhere else, that she has picked up from some of the greatest players in the game.
When did you first come in contact with pool?
When I was 14, my stepsister had my brothers and me over to see her brand new pool table. I promptly ripped the felt. Not an auspicious beginning! Later, in my 2nd year of college, I was told I needed to learn the 5 P’s of the student union: Pool, Poker, Pinball, Pinochle, and Ping Pong. You have competed in many disciplines of cue sports. What are the pros and cons of that? Each one teaches you different aspects of the game. One pocket puts it all together: banking, kicking, caroms, shotmaking. I’ve even won at golf on a snooker table at the old 211 Club in Seattle.
Many people have heard the term "House Pro" before. Can you explain what that means, what your role is as a house pro?
I run tournaments and give lessons. When I was House Pro for Jillian’s in Seattle, I also ran Corporate parties, and I would pair people from Boeing and Microsoft who didn’t work in the same departments, and we would do triathlons of pool, ping pong, and darts.
What is your favorite game to play?
8-ball on bar boxes, and also 10 ball, then probably banks and 1 pocket.
What is your least favorite game to play?
9-ball on bar boxes. Too much slop, and too easy.
What is a list of your favorite pool halls that you have been to?
Well of course, Rack ‘Em, where I currently house pro, and Jillian’s. The 211, Hard Times, and Plush Pocket in L.A.. My all-time favorite was the Casino Club/Nardo’s in Seattle, where my husband, Mike Zimmerman was House Pro, and I got to hang out privately with Efren and Luat. That was the heyday of pool in the NW.
How did you get into instructing?
I coached beginner to elite gymnasts in a private club, as well as at a college. I was very good at recognizing body positions in the air and where they needed to be at any given time, as well as how to break them down into fundamental slices that they could understand. Some people can only play and some can only teach. I seem to have an aptitude for both. There are secrets to pool that, unless you are shown or taught, you will never know.
What do you see as the main thing amateur players need to work on?
Fundamentals, understanding tangent lines, how the thickness of hit affects speed, and always play shape for your 3rd ball.
What is the best piece of advice you have ever received?
When I took my lesson from Dan Louie (I had just won a tournament and wanted to invest my win into my first lesson, because I was just learning 9 ball (late 70’s) and needed to know how to go off multiple rails, instead of zone shooting in 8 ball. Well, at the time, I thought it was the worst piece of advice and lesson I had ever gotten because he said just shoot a million of them and you’ll find out! Well, to this day, I give the same advice, because until it becomes muscle memory, with different English and speed, you’ll never get it ingrained into your body.
The best piece of advice I give to new players is to start a scrapbook of firsts – first runout, first break and run,
first wins, etc. because someday, you’ll be like me with my Sometimer’s Disease and forget just about all the dates and places.
If you could play one person, living or deceased, who would that be, and why and what game?
Willie Mosconi, straight pool, and then 8-ball. I loved his demeanor, his skills, and his long standing record. I’ve already played Cornbread Red, Shane, Allison, John Schmidt, Mike Massey, and Jayson Shaw, to name a few. Some I have won against!
You have been playing this game for over 50 years. What keeps you going?
This game never gets old. I like winning, lol. I like meeting newbies and introducing them to the intricacies of the game, which is why I joined the Grants Pass Women’s League.
With that long a career, what would you say are your top 3 career achievements?
Whoo, there are certainly a lot, some I can’t even remember, lol, and there’s certainly way more than five. I guess founding the Association of Cuesports (ACW) Tour in the northwest, which is now the NWPA, and we were able to send 14 players up to the pros. I myself won a spot in the WPBA on the ACW, then won one at Hard Times in Sacramento in the Northern CA tour, and a 3rd spot in L.A. in the Southern CA tour. That was enough to get me invited to get into the WPBA.
Being one of only 15 women playing in the International Pool Tour. I had a pretty good Break and Run record, considering you had to win a game to continue breaking. My high record of Consecutive Break and Runs was six in a row at McCorry’s in Woodinville, Washington, on an 8-footer with a big cueball.
Being invited to represent the US in China, and getting to hang out with Kelly and Allison Fisher, Wei Wei,
Rubilen Amit, and Chezka Centano. And then of course, professionally, being recognized as Greeter of the Year for my magazine by the Jackson County Chamber of Commerce. And non-professionally, raising two absolutely wonderful human beings, Shawn and Carina, who are very successful in their multiple fields.
We all had our 5 minutes of fame together when Mike and I were in 2 pool magazines for our finish in Atlantic City BCA Nationals, Shawn was on ESPN for aggressive inline skating, and Carina was on the inside front cover of People magazine, all in the same month.
Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
If my eyesight, stamina, and body hold together at 76, I’d say I’ll likely be doing the same things, poolwise. Going to Lincoln City and Vegas to compete in BCA events, leagues, and other weekly tournaments, and of course, teaching.
Pool players are athletes with less physical demands but more mental skill requirements than athletes in other sports. Once fundamental pool skills are mastered, pool primarily becomes a mental venture. So, the work you do on your pool mental skills is just as important as your time spent working on shotmaking and position play.
And yet, most pool players do not spend much time addressing the mental aspects of playing pool. The mental side of pool is often overlooked. It is more fun to play pool or practice running balls than to work on mental skills. But, fifteen to thirty minutes per week of mental training can significantly improve your pool playing abilities. This is because the words and images you put in your brain are what create your physical motions.
"Mental toughness is crucial. You have to believe in yourself even when things aren't going well. Stay focused and positive."
- Jeanette Lee
Mental Toughness
Pool player mental toughness is a critical attribute that distinguishes successful players from the rest. It encompasses various psychological skills and attitudes that enable players to perform consistently under pressure, overcome setbacks, and maintain focus throughout matches. Here are the key components of mental toughness for pool players:
1. Confidence and Self-Belief
• Unshakable Confidence: Trust in your abilities, even during challenging moments.
• Positive Self-Talk: Replace doubts with positive affirmations like “I can handle this shot” or “I am a skilled player.”
2. Focus and Concentration
• Stay Present: Block out distractions and focus on the current shot.
• Pre-Shot Routine: Develop a consistent routine to maintain concentration.
3. Adaptability and Resilience
• Adapt to Conditions: Adjust to different tables, lighting, and environments.
• Bounce Back: Quickly recover from missed shots or unfavorable situations.
4. Emotional Control
• Stay Calm: Manage nerves, frustration, and anxiety.
• Avoid Emotional Reactions: Do not let emotions affect your decision-making.
5. Patience and Persistence
• Long Matches: Maintain mental stamina during extended games.
• Stick to the Plan: Trust that consistent effort pays off.
6. Visualization and Mental Imagery
• See Success: Visualize success and positive outcomes.
• Create Mental Blueprints: Imagine executing shots with flawless position play on the next shot.
7. Resist External Pressure
• Ignore Spectators: Tune out distractions from the crowd.
• Focus on the Table: The game matters more than external opinions.
8. Learn from Mistakes
• Analyze Objectively: Learn from your mistakes.
• Adjust Strategies: Continuously improve based on feedback.
• Positive Environment: Surround yourself with supportive people.
10. Mindset of a Champion
• Believe You Belong: See yourself as a top player.
• Embrace Challenges: View pressure as an opportunity to excel.
Mental toughness is not about being invulnerable or unemotional; it is about channeling emotions, maintaining focus, and performing at one’s best even in challenging circumstances. Developing mental toughness requires practice, self-awareness, and deliberate effort. Cultivate these attributes to elevate your game and thrive in competitive pool!
Mental Training Plan
Creating a personalized mental training plan can significantly enhance your mental toughness, focus, and performance at the pool table. Following is a detailed guide to developing an effective mental training regimen:
1. Understand the Mental Game of Pool
• Mental Awareness: Recognize that pool is not just about physical skills; it is equally a mental game.
• Stress Management: Understand how stress affects your performance and learn coping strategies.
2. Goal Setting and Visualization
• Set Clear Goals: Define specific objectives for your pool game.
• Positive Environment: Surround yourself with supportive people who encourage your progress.
10. Learn from Pro Players
• Study Mentally Tough Players: Observe how professionals handle pressure.
• Adopt Their Strategies: Implement their mental approaches into your training.
Developing mental toughness, focus, and resilience can significantly enhance a player's performance. Mental toughness is a mental skill that improves with practice. By incorporating mental training into your practice routine, you can improve your confidence, concentration, and ability to handle pressure.
Remember, the key to success in pool lies not only in your shot-making abilities but also in your mental strength and preparation. Embrace the mental game, and you'll find yourself excelling in every match. Remember, mental toughness is a skill that improves with practice.
MY PROFESSIONAL JOURNEY AS A BILLIARDS INSTRUCTOR
Around 25 years ago, I decided to become a professional billiards instructor. Like many, I didn’t even know there was such a thing, and certainly never considered it as a personal career option. I was running a pro shop and playing in a league and on some regional tours. I enjoyed playing and being a part of the billiards industry.
Becoming a
professional instructor was the best thing I’ve ever done.
That all changed when I got the chance to attend pool school. Purely by luck, the school I attended was led by BCA instructor Randy Goettlicher.
Randy apparently saw something in me that I didn’t know was there, and took me under his wing. With his guidance, I developed the skill and knowledge needed to succeed as an instructor. And the course he was teaching gave me the best material available to share with my students.
It was the perfect formula for success that I could have ever imagined. I started teaching part-time, working with some of the lower-ranked players in my league. This is where I found my own style of teaching. And while I was doing that, I found myself learning more about the game, teaching, and helping others along that path.
As I continued to grow as an instructor, I began to get opportunities to teach and work alongside some of the best instructors in the country, including Randy, Leslie Rogers, Jerry Briesath, Roy Pastor, the late Scott Lee, and many others. Those opportunities gave me experience that allowed me to move up through the ranks of the PBIA and ACS instructors programs. And while I have been able to reach the highest levels of both organizations.
I still know there is more that I have yet to learn. I spend hours each week studying pool through books, videos, and working with instructors. Just this week, I conducted a school with another instructor who was working on upgrading to the next instructor level. Not only did I share information with him, but I learned some things from him that I will be using in future classes. Learning opportunities are always there if you remain open to new ideas.
My journey as a professional instructor has been unique. Every instructor has their own story, and no two are the same. Yet we all share something that can’t be found anywhere else. We all share a camaraderie that I can only equate to my time in the military, and the shipmates who all worked together to make sure we all thrived in our environment.
Becoming a professional instructor was the best thing I’ve ever done. Was it easy? Not by a long shot. It takes hard work and dedication. Has it been worth it? ABSOLUTELY! I have fun every time I find myself teaching this game to others.
How does all this affect you? If you love the game and want to share that with others, I would recommend considering a career teaching pool on a professional level. It’s not only fun, but immensely rewarding. There’s nothing better than going to work every day doing something you truly enjoy doing.
If you would like to explore the opportunities offered as a professional instructor, I encourage you to contact me directly (980) 253-0211 or any PBIA or Master instructor, or ACS level 3 or 4 instructor and find out how to begin your own professional journey.
Until next time
Steve Jennings ACS/SPF/PBIA Master instructor
Playing pool since the age of 10, first learning on a table at home, and into pool rooms a few years later, I won several base championships while in the service. After my discharge, I continued to play recreationally, and in several regional tour events.
I started coaching and teaching game strategies in the 90s. I worked with several Master instructors reaching Master instructor status in 2015. Now Director of Training for the Southeastern Billiard Academy, and teaching classes as often as I can. I train/certify new instructors and look forward to help every player achieve their fullest potential.
Why Kicking is Skill but also a Lot of Luck
Recently I had a discussion about if removing the jump cue from the game is a good thing.
The person argued that jumping makes it easier to make contact with an object ball. This is flawed logic. Just because contact is easier doesn’t mean the over all shot is easier. Control of the cueball to achieve a safety or get position after the jump takes years of practice.
One could argue that chalk makes it easier to apply spin and helps us kick better. Let’s make chalk illegal. A straight stick helps us play better. To the trash with them! Crooked sticks only! Break cues? You hit the break too well! Let’s ban them as well! Just because a shot is easier isn’t justification to ban them.
When a player kicks at a ball, the luck factor goes up dramatically. Was the rail over compressed when covered. Was the rail rubber a little loose? Did humidy change as someone opened the door? Did temperature change? You may think yes, this is why kicking is so difficult. No, this means the uncontrollable factors makes kicking unbelievably lucky.
We see Efren kick a ball in and the crowd cheers. He says he got lucky. People think he is being facetious but he means it. He’s smart enough to know that if he kicked a ball in, many factors went his way. They don’t show you the highlight reel when he misses the same shot 10 times in a row. I been in the room hundreds of times to see it.
Unfortunately, the highlight reels that we see on YouTube and Facebook give us a perception of false percentages. Take the greatest kicker in the world and bet them $1000 they can’t kick the shot in below in 5 tries (maybe even 10) and they won’t take the bet. They know they can’t control the luck.
Is kicking a great skill? Absolutely. But don’t forget the luck factor. Also, notice if the player below hits the wrong side, he gets the same safety except the cueball and object ball are switched. Of course, the crowd says look at that genius when really it had a built-in safety, regardless of which side of the ball they hit.
ADDENDUM: If a ball is close to a rail, the luck factor goes down dramatically for strong players. Calculations are more accurate because there is less of a telescope effect and less bending of the cueball.
CURRENT RATINGS
CURRENT RATINGS
FROM THE PBIA SERIES
FROM PATRICK HUMMEL - PG 13
Test is used as a best practice, and the PBIA Advanced Certified Member Jeremiah Gage (Colorado) created the Bullseye Billiard System for position play in a similar method. PBIA Members have created a community of sharing information to explore best practices and receive positive validation from peers on new ideas.
7. What are your thoughts on the future of billiards coaching and instruction globally?
Currently as the highest-ranking coach in Germany and the state head coach of two Germany states, Hessia and Thuringia, and the examiner for the Deutsche Billard Union, traveling to the United States of America at least twice a year meeting with other instructors and sharing documents with PBIA members will continue to build best practices that build future billiards coaching and ensure that all members have access to build better programs for better instruction to our global students.
FROM ROBERT MORENO - PG 17
Master Instructors that will allow a member to see how various instructors teach the same lessons and find best practices from the videos of past ICI summit presentations to ensure our PBIA members remain up to date with continuing education.
The BCA has agreed to provide more tables to events that allow instructors to educate the industry and room owners on the services we offer and how the PBIA can add value to a community.
The PBIA is planning to build the 2026 ICI Summit into an at-the-table learning experience and bring in more tables for instructors to work on execution and instruction skills. Our goal to invite international instructors via livestream and share information will be a welcome staple for future events.
The PBIA is building relationships with room owners who reach out to rob@pbia-instructor.com as we offer entry to the BCA Expo and Trade Show and helpful advice for growing businesses with our industry partnerships.
If you are interested in any of the PBIA directions listed in all five of the highlighted instructors, go to www.playbetterbilliards.com and select your state to find an instructor. If no instructor is available in your area, send me an email, and I will introduce you to those who offer online courses or intensive classes in person.
The right shoulder rotates to a final position that allows the player to feel that the aim is over the right shoulder.
We’re Dealing with a Phenomenon
The rotational and bending movements that can be observed from top players were not invented by man. What was invented by man was moving straight down for guesswork aiming. Top players do not move straight down into their shot lines. Over time, any player will evolve into using rotations and bends for connecting with the pockets on a 2 X 1 playing surface.
I have not worked with a single player over the last twenty years that moved straight into shot lines. Every student who has entered my Just Cue It facility has exhibited rotations and bends for moving into their alignments. What’s interesting is that they were not aware of the two movements. The time has come to put away the man-made idea that moving straight into the shot line is the correct way to play the game.
Stan Shuffett is the world’s foremost authority on Center-to-Edge Aiming. In 2011 and 2013 Stan produced two top shelf CTE videos: “Stan Shuffett Presents PRO ONE and Basic Centerto-Edge” and “Stan Shuffett’s CTE PRO ONE: The Final Chapter”. In 2021 Stan authored “Center Pocket Music: Using CTE PRO ONE to Improve Your Pool Game”. Shuffett is a master instructor and has been with the PBIA since its beginning in 1992. He specializes in individual instruction at his private teaching facility in Greensburg, Kentucky. Stan’s website is www.justcueit.com.
