These are an intensive but fun and rewarding three days of training and evaluation run and continually improved since 2013 by knowledgeable, experienced, and enthusiastic PBIA Instructors:

Randy

Randy Russell

Randy

Adam Bishop

Our goal is to help you raise your game to the next level. The Overview Course (see topics covered below) is open and appropriate to players of all ability levels from beginner to advanced. The Advanced Course (see topics covered below) is open only to those who have already taken the Overview Course or who have solid proficiency in all Overview Course topics. In both courses, the instruction is catered to each individual so you can learn at your own pace. BU and PBIA instructor certification and upgrade training is also available for those interested in teaching. The BU Boot Camp is a PBIA Accredited Instructor Training Academy, Dr. Dave and Samm are both PBIA Master Instructors, and Randy is a PBIA Advanced Instructor. Dr. Dave is also a PBIA Jerry Briesath Instructor of the Year recipient, and Samm is a four-time past national amateur female champion and also an ACS Master Instructor.

Upcoming Dates and Location

Overview Course – Fundamentals and Intermediate Skills

April 24-26, 2024 (9am-4pm on Wednesday and Thursday, and 9am-2pm on Friday).
# of spots still open: 0 (of 12)


Overview Course – Fundamentals and Intermediate Skills

April 29 – May 1, 2024 (9am-4pm on Monday and Tuesday, and 9am-2pm on Wednesday).
# of spots still open: 0 (of 12)


Overview Course – Fundamentals and Intermediate Skills

October 2-4, 2024 (9am-4pm on Wednesday and Thursday, and 9am-2pm on Friday).
# of spots still open: 0 (of 12)


Advanced Course – Fundamentals Checkup and Advanced Skills

October 7-9, 2024 (9am-4pm on Monday and Tuesday, and 9am-2pm on Wednesday).
# of spots still open: 0 (of 12)


The Boot Camps are held in beautiful Fort Collins, Colorado at The Emporium Sports Bar (925 S Taft Hill Rd).

We plan to offer future courses twice a year in late April (two Overview Courses) and early October (Overview and Advanced). If you sign up for both the Overview and Advanced Courses in back-to-back weeks in October, or if you sign up for an Advanced Course within 30 days of completing an Overview Course, you get a $100 discount off the total cost.

The next set of courses (April, 2025) will be announced in May, 2024

Private lessons are also available throughout the year
via Dr. Dave’s Pool School or Samm Diep.

NOTE – If you did not get a spot in the Course you wanted, you can e-mail Dr. Dave (at DrDave@BilliardUniversity.org) to ask to be added to the waiting list in case somebody cancels. You can also request to be added to our contact list so you will know as soon as we schedule and start accepting sign-ups for future Courses.

Photos From Recent Courses

BU instructors at table
students at tables
Billiard University Boot Camp instructors
BU course booklets

Goals of the Programs

  • Help bring your game to the next level (see “Topics and Skills Covered” below).
  • Provide complete video analysis of your stroke mechanics and other fundamentals.
  • Identify and work on the skills most important to improving your game.
  • Provide drills, resources, and know-how to develop and monitor improvement of your game over time.
  • Provide individualized instruction catered to your specific needs and wants.
  • Provide BU (at no additional fee) and PBIA (with annual dues) instructor certification and upgrade training for those interested. Some follow-up training through a private lesson (remote or live) might be required based on teaching ability and performance during last-day examinations.

Cost for Each Course

  • $1350 per person for the Overview Course, $1450 per person for the Advanced Course. FYI, there might be cheaper instruction available from others, but not better. You get what you pay for.
  • A $500 deposit (part of the $1350 or $1450 total price) is required to make a reservation and hold a spot. The remaining balance ($850 or $950) is due 30 days before the event. Here are instructions for paying the deposit.
  • NOTE: Meals, transportation and lodging are not included in the price of the course.

To Reserve a Spot

  • Contact Dr. Dave at: DrDave@BilliardUniversity.org to let him know you want a spot.
  • A paid deposit is required to hold a spot.
  • Each class size is limited to a maximum of 12 people.
  • There are no discounts for multiple reservations since all spots are usually filled.
  • We run both courses, regardless of the number of people who sign up, even if the number is well less than 12. If 8 or less students sign up for a course, there will be 2 instructors instead of 3 (with Dr. Dave always being one of the 2 or 3).

Topics and Skills Covered

Overview Course

For players of all ability levels:

  • fundamentals (stance, grip, bridge, stroke, pre-shot routine, visual alignment, aiming), with a complete video analysis of each student’s mechanics.
  • basic cue ball control (stop/follow/draw, 90 and 30 degree rules, trisect system).
  • basic shot planning, strategy, and defensive play.
  • basics of using spin and english.
  • basic bank and kick shot aiming systems.
  • on an individual basis, based on skill level:
    • alternative aiming systems.
    • jump, massé and break-shot techniques.
    • other topics from the Advanced Course.

Advanced Course

Recommended for people who have already taken the Overview Course, or those having decent proficiency in all of the topics listed above as demonstrated by a good performance on the BU Playing-Ability Exams, with a recommended total score of 85 or above on Exams I and II:

  • fundamentals check-up with a complete video analysis.
  • advanced cue ball control, and rail cut shots.
  • advanced shot planning, strategy, and defensive play.
  • aiming with throw.
  • aiming with spin and english effectively (using the recently developed SAWS technique).
  • advanced bank and kick shot diamond systems.
  • jump, masse and break-shot techniques.
  • racking and breaking strategy and secrets.

If you are unsure about which course to take, the “Overview Course” is probably the best choice.  We get people of all skill levels in that course and we cater the instruction to each individual.

If you choose to sign up for the Advanced Course without having taken the Overview Course first, please make sure you are familiar with all concepts in the CUE BALL CONTROL … Everything You Need to Know” video.

Additional Information

Recent Graduating Classes

2023 September Overview Course

2023 September Advanced Course

Past Graduating Classes


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