I recommend the water be brought below the jets but not below the top of light. If you can shut off your skimmer line and activate just the main drain line, you can quickly drain the pool using the waste on the filter system. As a pool tech who needs to move water fast, I use a large gas powered water pump with firehoses leading to the street. Take note that neighbors don’t want to be flooded, drain the water to the street. At this time, apply the winterizing Algaecide. You need to determine the size of your skimmer line. Most are 1.5 inches and some are 2 inch. You may have never noticed, but the skimmer hole has female threads and that’s important for this method of closing the pool.