Here's some instructions on draining your pool. Keep in mind, you can only drain most pools until the water gets to the bottom of the skimmer (where the baskets are.) All pools are different, but there are basically two ways of doing it.
If you have a backwash valve.
Turn the pump off.
Push the handle down, and hold it down while you move it to "waste".
Pull it up, and turn on the pump. Water is now draining.
When finished, turn off pump.
Push down handle and move back to "filter".
Turn on pump.
This is the easiest way.
Most pools have a faucet on the pump.
Turn the pump on, and open the faucet.
The pump must be running in order to drain.
You can connect a garden hose to direct the flow away.