… private individual or small-group lessons and coaching to raise your game to the next level

Dr. Dave

Dr. Dave Alciatore, PhD
Professional Billiard Instructors Association (PBIA) Master Instructor
Jerry Briesath PBIA Instructor of the Year Award recipient
Billiard University (BU) Co-Founder and Dean

Dr. Dave also offers BU Boot Camp courses.

Location

  • Fort Collins, Colorado. (beautiful town close to Rocky Mountain National Park).
  • Lessons are with Dr. Dave in a private and quiet setting (not a pool hall) at: 2453 Reception Ct.
  • Sorry, but I do not travel to give lessons or teach courses. I already have too much demand from people willing to visit me.
  • Here are useful travel and accommodation recommendations for your trip.

Curriculum

  • Session and course outlines are customized specifically for the individual.
  • Topics offered include: fundamentals (stance, visual alignment, grip, bridge, stroke), pre-shot routine, aiming systems, spin and english, cue ball speed and position control, shot planning, strategy, defensive play, bank and kick shots, jump and masse shots, the break, anything else on the following list of topics.
  • The approach is based on the instructional resources and products available at billiards.colostate.edu and DrDaveBilliards.com.
  • If not doing a full-day or multiple-day lesson, 2-4 hours is a good length for the first lesson to check on fundamentals, diagnose potential issues, and identify things to work on.
  • Instructor certification and upgrade training is available upon request ahead of time (see more info under “Personalized Instruction” below).

Personalized Instruction

  • complete diagnosis of the things that are hurting your game the most and identification of the things that will help you the most.
  • complete video analysis of stroke mechanics and other fundamentals.
  • “best practices” check-sheet evaluation.
  • drills and resources for improving your game and monitoring your progress over time.
  • working within any physical limitations you might have, finding the best approach for you as an individual.
  • Billiard University (BU) and PBIA instructor certification and upgrade training is available for those interested in teaching. The course is two full back-to-back days charged at the rate shown in the “Schedule a Lesson” section below. Alternatively, the training can be provided through either BU Boot Camp.

Video/Phone/E-Mail Lessons and Coaching

If you don’t want to travel for a lesson or coaching, you can instead post videos online for evaluation and to get all of your questions answered via e-mail or phone:

  • For an initial session, please video record stroke video analysis shots 1-5, with the view as close-up as possible on the player from each direction. Make sure the entire shooting arm and the CB is in view from each angle (the OBs don’t need to be in the view).
  • I charge for my time (for all communication and video review) at my standard rates listed below.
  • You must pre-pay for the amount of time you want to reserve (using any of the accepted payment options), and then we can get started. There is a 1 hour minimum. 1 hour ($200) is usually sufficient for a basic fundamentals analysis with starting recommendations, but 2 hours ($400) is recommended for a more thorough analysis.
  • For a purchase of 3 hours or more, please also record a full-table view of one or more rack run-out attempts of your favorite game, continuing to shoot after any misses (dropping the missed balls if desired).
  • You can post videos via YouTube, Vimeo, Google Drive, DropBox, or any other online large-file sharing platform.
  • For help with posting videos on YouTube, see: how to create a new Channel and how to upload videos. You can post the videos as “Public,” so anybody can view them, or “Private” (shared with drdavebilliards@gmail.com) so only I can see them. You can also create a “Playlist” with all of your clips in one place. Then you just need to send me a link to the playlist.
  • You don’t need a fancy video camera. A smartphone camera is fine if somebody can hold it still for you. You can also get a cheap tripod with a phone camera mount.
  • I provide a thorough analysis of your technique and recommend changes that can best help you improve your game.

After you send payment and make the videos available, I will do my evaluation and report back via e-mail. We can also do a follow-up phone call if necessary. We can also plan follow-up video evaluations and coaching if desired.

Sorry, but I no longer offer live remote online video lessons or coaching. The technique is not nearly as effective or fun as in-person lessons, and I already teach enough in-person lessons to keep me as busy as I want to be. If you want to schedule an in-person lesson, see the info below.

Schedule a Lesson

Contact Dr. Dave at:

  • e-mail (preferred): DrDave@DrDaveBilliards.com
  • phone: 970-482-8229 (if you send a text or leave a message, please provide your name and an e-mail address so I can follow-up).
  • gift certificates available.
  • I prefer giving lessons (especially long sessions) on Mondays and Wednesdays. Two-day lessons are preferred on Monday-Tuesday or Tuesday-Wednesday.
  • Full-day session are 9am-3pm, with a short break for lunch.

NOTE: I do not give lessons on weekends or holidays.

Rates and Pricing

For an individual or two people, the total price is:

  • 2 hour session: $400 ($200/hour)
  • 4 hour session: $780 ($195/hour)
  • 1 full-day (6 hour) session: $1140 ($190/hour)
  • 2 back-to-back full-day sessions: $2220 ($185/hour)

FYI, there is cheaper instruction available from others, but not better. With Dr. Dave, you get what you pay for.

For a group of 3 or 4 people, the price per person is the same as the two-person rate above. For example, a 2-hour session is $400 for 2 people ($200 per person), $600 (3 x $200) for 3 people, and $800 (4 x $200) for 4 people.

For a group larger than 4 people, the lesson would be in a pool hall or club instead with 1 or 2 people per table, and the total price would be the same as the 4-person rate plus any charge for use of the facility. For example, for a 4-hour session (price per person = $780 / 2 = $390), the total non-facility charge would be $1560 (4 x $390).

If you are local and want Dr. Dave to drive to you, driving time is charged at the standard base hourly rate ($200/hour). Sorry, but I do not travel outside of northern Colorado to teach lessons or courses.

Payment is due in full before the beginning of the lesson (see payment options).

Other Information