Level Up

Training.

Professional billiards lessons with PBIA & ACS certified instructor Jay Ataka. Beginner through advanced coaching right here at Good Times.

Meet Your Instructor

Jay Ataka

PBIA Advanced Pool Instructor · ACS Level 3 Instructor

Jay Ataka is a highly respected Advanced Pool Instructor, certified by the Professional Billiard Instructors Association (PBIA) — a subsidiary of the Billiard Congress of America (BCA). He also holds ACS Level 3 Pool Instructor certification from the American Cuesports Alliance.

Since Spring 2022, Jay has been the house instructor at Good Times Billiards, where he conducts his popular weekly Pool Dojo sessions. His passion extends internationally as a member of the Nippon Billiard Association (NBA), working closely with Japanese professional pool players. Jay was certified as level S3 in the Billiard Ability Test by NBA in 2019.

In Los Angeles County, Jay stands out as the only Advanced-Level PBIA Instructor qualified to certify new instructors — making him a vital resource for aspiring billiards coaches and players looking to advance their skills.

✦ PBIA Advanced Pool Instructor

✦ ACS Level 3 Pool Instructor

✦ PBIA Instructor Program Board Member (2024)

✦ Only PBIA Advanced Certifier in LA County

✦ SoCal USA Pool League Champion — Spring & Summer 2024

✦ Team MVP Title — USAPL 2024

✦ Most Runouts — SOCAL USAPL Spring '24, Summer '24, Spring '25

✦ 70%+ Win Rate — USAPL & BCA Leagues

In the room

See how lessons feel at Good Times

Pace, detail, and the same tables you’ll be on with Jay — under our lights, not a studio set.

Watch on YouTube

Beginner

Billiard 100

10 lessons covering stance, aiming, shot routine, and basic position play.

$359

5 × 60min Sessions

101 Basic Stance, Grip, Bridge, Head Placement, Head Alignment (Vision Center)

102 Straight Shot: Short/Long Distance, Intro to Follow Shot, Eye Pattern/Shot Routine

103 Intro to Aiming Methods, Cut Shots, Intro to Throw Effect

104 Basic Bridge Variation and Rail Bridge

105 Rules: Play Games with Proper Rules, Etiquette, Choice of Pool Equipment

106 Intro to Stop Shot, Follow Shot, Stroke Difference

107 Intro to 30 Degree Rule

108 Intro to Side Spin

109 Basic Speed Control

110 Basic Position Play and Shot Selection

Intermediate

Billiard 200

20 lessons from draw shots to game analysis. Cue ball mastery.

$399

5 × 60min Sessions

201 Advanced Stop Shot, Dead Stop Shot, Draw Shot

202 Cue Ball Control: 30 Degree Rule, 90 Degree Rule, Draw Shot Angle Control

203 Variety of Bridges: Rail Bridge, Bridge in Tough Spots, Mechanical Bridge

204 How to Regulate Side Spin on Cue Ball, Bridge Length Differences

205 Intro to Inside Spin, Inside Spin Effect in Forward & Draw off Rail

206 Deflection, Squirt, Swerve, Throw, Spin Induced Throw (SIT), Skid

207 Bank Shot: Intro to Various Systems, Learning Speed and Rails

208 Kick Shot: Various Systems, Rail First, Learning Speed and Rails

209 Advanced Speed Cue Ball Control, Object Ball Speed

210 Standard Safety Shots

211 Kill Cue Ball Speed: Outside SIT, Inside Spin, Drag Shot, Stun Follow/Draw

212 Pocket Hanger, Cross Table Cue Ball Control

213 Position Play, Line Positioning, Planning

214 Break Shots for Different Games and Tables

215 Curvé, Massé, Jump Shot

216 Stroke Analysis on Different Shots

217 Shot Percentage Analysis

218 Game Analysis: 8-Ball

219 Game Analysis: 9-Ball

220 Game Analysis: 10-Ball

Individual Clinic

One-on-one focused training. Table time included.

$85

Per Hour · Table Included

Stroke Analysis Break Shot Shot Selection & Ball Layout Analysis Pocket Hanger / Cross Table Cue Ball Control Inside Spin

Become an Instructor

PBIA Instructor Certification Assessment

Want to teach pool professionally? Jay is authorized to certify new PBIA instructors — the only Advanced-Level certifier in Los Angeles County. Assessment and consultation typically takes 1 hour.

$85 Table time included · Non-refundable

Ready to Level Up?

Fill out the form and we'll get back to you within 24 hours to schedule your session.

Prefer to call? Reach us at (562) 420-9556