• Home
  • Pro Shop
  • Events
  • ZR8 League
  • Billiard Academy
  • Player Reps
  • Photo Gallery
  • Bio



billiard academy



We offer billiard instruction thru our Billiard Academy and we can come to you!


Our course is designed to provide a solid foundation for the beginning pool player, enhance the abilities of the intermediate level players and take each player to the next playing level. Instruction is offered by the hour, by the session (6 hours) or an entire course (5 sessions).


Typically each session is completed over 2 days during 1-2 week(s), while the course is conducted over a 30 day period. Spreading the course length out with days between allows the student to take what they learned and practice it on their own time in their own environment and then discuss any issues at the next scheduled time period, thus allowing the student to feel more comfortable while practicing.


Training manuals that contain great details of each aspect of the lesson(s) are used during your training session(s). We have developed some unique training tools and aids that will make things a little more clear by creating a much better visual for many aspects of the lessons.



course content



  • Practice vs. Play
  • Mechanics
  • The Stroke
  • Firing Order
  • 6-Point Methodology
  • Position Play Zones
  • Choke Syndroms
  • Centergistics
  • Speed Control
  • Aim and Focus
  • The Stop Shot
  • Banking Systems
  • Kicking Systems
  • The Break
  • Jump and Masse
  • and many other aspects!


training aids and visuals



Over the years, many training aids have been available on the market for multiple training scenarios. I have created unique training aids to use during sessions at Zim's Rack Billiard Academy. These aids help in producing a much better visual of how things work compared to just reading and listening. Training aids may be purchased and used on your own table and on your own schedule.


MORE INFO COMING...





BECOMING A GREAT POOL PLAYER



The Fundamentals

Mechanicals skills like proper stance, bridge, stroke, grip and alignment provide the foundation upon which your game is built. Build a strong foundation with these fundamental skills, and you'll be well on your way to mastering the next stage of your pool journey. Don't forget to practice diligently. Be patient, and remember that pool isn't a sport that can be mastered overnight. Many of these skills will take you hours and hours of practice to bring under control.


Aiming

After you build a strong pool foundation, you're ready to start pocketing balls. To pocket balls consistently and effectively, you must first understand how to aim properly. Aiming the ball with precision will help you become a shot maker. Each and every professional pool player has a system he or she uses to aim and a training regimen they have used to become consistent and accurate shot makers.


Basic Shots

Shots like stop, draw and follow are the fundamental shots each pool player must master in order to advance to the next skill level. Basic shots will serve as your foundation for when you start to learn about playing position in the succeeding lesson plans. Understanding the basic shots will give you the basic foundation for controlling the cue ball and will introduce you to the concept of position play in pocket billiards.


Basic Position Play

Conquering basic position play will allow you to understand exactly how the cue ball will react after colliding with the object ball what path the cue ball will take after contact and how to control the cue ball to put it exactly where you need it to be for the next shot.
Side Spin (English)English is when you apply side spin on the cue ball. English affords you more options when it comes to shot making and/or position that can't be done by hitting the cue ball dead center.


Advanced Shots

Critical shots to advance your game to the next level. Before you learn these advanced shots, it is imperative that you are able to execute basic shots with consistency. Trying to learn these advanced shots without a knowing the basic shots would be an exercise of futility - trust me.


Bank and Kick Shots

Bank shots allow you to pocket the object ball in another pocket by using the pool table cushion to bounce the ball off of before it sinks into the intended pocket. Kick shots allow you to bounce the cue ball off of the pool table cushion and into the object ball.


Advanced Position Play

As you progress towards the advanced level, you will need to recognize and learn advanced patterns for position play. This advanced level position goes above and beyond the stop, draw and follow positions. Learning advanced position means learning how and where to position the cue ball for position on the next shot. This lesson plan will teach you some of the advanced level position concepts.


Safety & Defense

Sometimes the best defense is a good offense. Learn how to take control of the table back when you have no offensive opening.


Practice, Practice, Practice

There is no substitute for practice. The only way to improve your game is through quality practice.


Equipment

Having the right cue for your game style and understanding the intracasies of a pool table gives you a leg up on the competition.



billiard academy fees



Single Student Rates--

  • Hour: $40.00
  • Session (6 hrs): $200.00
  • Course (5 sessions): $800.00

2-3 Student Rates (each)--

  • Hour: $30.00
  • Session (6 hrs): $150.00
  • Course (5 sessions): $600.00

​4+ Student Rates (each)--

  • Hour: $20.00
  • Session (6 hrs): $100.00
  • Course (5 sessions): $400.00


billiard academy clinics



This is designed for small groups or teams of beginner and intermediate skill level that want to get a solid foundation of the basic fundamentals to help them improve both as a individual player and a team.


This is a group lesson that will last approximately 5 hours on either a Saturday or Sunday. $50 per person! Limited to 8 people $20 non refundable deposit to secure a spot.


NEXT SCHEDULED CLINIC-- TBD





MICHAEL ZIMMERMAN'S CREDENTIALS



  • nearly 20 years of pool experience as a player
  • 1994- Present: multiple MVP titles in ZR8 League, APA League, Teachers 8 Ball League
  • 2001: founder Zim's Rack, a billiards and bar sports promotional, sales and service company
  • 2002: co-founder of the Songtan-Si Pool League in South Korea
  • 2004: Certified Instructor through the Billiard Sanctuary Academy of the Cueing Arts (BSACA)
  • 2004- Present: taught several students in private lessons, video analysis and through clinics and helped numerous league players with troubled areas advance their skills
  • 2005: co-founder of Zim's Rack 8 Ball League
  • 2005: founder of the Gateway Amateur Tour


Zim's Rack



info@zimsrck.com | Phone: 618-409-4175