The student and teacher relationship is very important to me personally. I have taken many of hours of lessons. Let me share some of the problems I have encountered over the years. Instructors not starting at my current skill level - I felt I had to pay for the information in all the lessons just to receive what I needed. Instructors that do not play any high level competition - it was always hard for me to believe someone that has never been under the "BIG" pressure. Being told there is only one way to do something. Low rated handicapped instructors. Being told you have to practice 8 hours a day and if you do not improve, it is not their fault, you did not practice enough. Here are some of the ways I try to help (not) make those same mistakes when I teach. I "test" my student in the first half an hour of the lesson to see their current level. I go forward from there. The students playing ability dictates what level the training relationship will begin. I personally play at a high level of competition with large entree fees and highly skilled opponents (Semi-Pro). This has helped my game develop in the "pressure spots". There are tricks I have learned to help deal with the pressure. I pass these tricks on to my students. If you take a lesson from me, you will find that I believe no two people are built the same. My current handicaps in their respective formats: Arizona Rating System - Skill Level - 9 APA, TAP - Skill Level - 7 Over the last few years, I have seen the hourly rates charged by instructors increase in the billiard-training world. My rate structure has changed over the years and I have found a simple hourly rate works the best. My current hourly rates for inside Tucson City Limits are $45.00 an hour with a $10.00 an hour discount for all league members APA, TAP, BCA, etc. Please call for rates outside of Tucson city limits. Update:   New hourly rates for a completely PRIVATE billiard lesson experience in my training studio. Please contact me @ 520- 834- (POOL) 7665 azbilliardacademy@gmail.com Let us get together and improve your pool game. Thank you for your time, Carl Stewart