Highest pool-playing skill level Pool Instructor that you know.

JoeyA

JoeyA

Efren's Mini-Tourn BACKER
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Who do you think is the best playing "genuine" pool instructor you know of?

I'm talking about pool instructors who regularly provide pool instruction to students, not professional pool players who occasionally give pool lessons.

A couple of instructors come to mind even though I have only witnessed one of the three playing and teaching in person.

At the top of my list is Stan Shuffett with BCA certified credentials and his aiming system, called Pro One. Stan's pool playing skill level speaks for itself. Since I have taken pool lessons from Stan I can assure you that not only can he play well but he teaches at least as well.

Although I haven't seen either of the following two instructors in person (and I'm looking forward to it), Joe Tucker and David "BLACKJACK" Sapolis are up there as well. If you haven't seen any of Joe's youtube videos, you have spending too much time on AZ Billiards. Blackjack has been around for a long time and while his game apparently goes up and down, he has been known to play some very nice speed straight pool.

Do you have any other instructors who you consider very good players?

(Please don't include professional pool players unless they make a special effort to teach pool on a regular basis.)

Thanks!
JoeyA
 
JoeyA said:
Who do you think is the best playing "genuine" pool instructor you know of?

I'm talking about pool instructors who regularly provide pool instruction to students, not professional pool players who occasionally give pool lessons.

A couple of instructors come to mind even though I have only witnessed one of the three playing and teaching in person.

At the top of my list is Stan Shuffett with BCA certified credentials and his aiming system, called Pro One. Stan's pool playing skill level speaks for itself. Since I have taken pool lessons from Stan I can assure you that not only can he play well but he teaches at least as well.

Although I haven't seen either of the following two instructors in person (and I'm looking forward to it), Joe Tucker and David "BLACKJACK" Sapolis are up there as well. If you haven't seen any of Joe's youtube videos, you have spending too much time on AZ Billiards. Blackjack has been around for a long time and while his game apparently goes up and down, he has been known to play some very nice speed straight pool.

Do you have any other instructors who you consider very good players?

(Please don't include professional pool players unless they make a special effort to teach pool on a regular basis.)

Thanks!
JoeyA
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Joe T. plays very good.

Blackjack Sapolis does not play better than ur average amature.

Jerry Briesath, Mark Wilson, Tony Robles would B ur best examples :thumbup: :p :cool:

Brian
 
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APA7 said:
Blackjack Sapolis does not play better than ur average amature.



Brian
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I beg to differ.
The average amateur is prolly APA 5 at best.
DS can play much better imo.
 
JoeyInCali said:
I beg to differ.
The average amateur is prolly APA 5 at best.
DS can play much better imo.
Click to expand...

I disagree that DS plays much better. Maybe a little bit better. Have U actually scene him play?? :confused: :sorry:

Brian
 
Probably not a well known instructor name but...Roger Griffis is(was) acually a very good instuctor.

Dennis Hatch would be an example of some of his work.

EDIT: I should add that I have no idea if he still teaches but when he lived in Arizona he advertised lessons on a regular basis.

I also realize that Dennis Hatch IS a professional player, but IMO a good instuctor will probably have a few students that become professional players.
 
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Charlie Bryant plays jam up & loves to teach and while I haven't witnessed it first hand I'm sure its high quality instruction.
 
Dan Louie gives lessons at Parlor billiards being the house pro there. It's a 5 million dollar pool hall with 20 incredibly attractive cocktail servers wandering around. I think he's got a good gig myself.

Being a former world 9 ball champion makes him credible in the talent dept.
 
I should have mentioned Mika also. He's the only pro that I've been trying to get with in order to work on my own game. Not saying I don't want to spend time with any other pro because I'm sure to gain knowledge but I like Mika's style and have watched his consistency for years.
 
Mark Wilson has played on the Mosconi Cup team - strong credentials as a player; he is probably the strongest player of those who have completely dedicated themselves to teaching.

Two who have not yet been mentioned are Jeanette Lee (who has really applied herself to learning more about pool instruction) and Hunter Lombardo. Both are very strong players and have studied teaching as well.
 
A pretty good player and extremely knowledgeable instructor is Marty Herman. He is known as the Pool Guru back East for good reason. Had a lot to do with Mika's development, and spent quite a bit of time with Ralf as well. I know everyone is not a big fan of his, but he does know more about pool than most of us. And can play better than 90% of us on here too, whether we care to admit it or not.
 
Williebetmore said:
Mark Wilson has played on the Mosconi Cup team - strong credentials as a player; he is probably the strongest player of those who have completely dedicated themselves to teaching.

Two who have not yet been mentioned are Jeanette Lee (who has really applied herself to learning more about pool instruction) and Hunter Lombardo. Both are very strong players and have studied teaching as well.
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Thanks Willie. how do I leave Hunter off, he was just at my house all week:confused:
And let's not forget Steve Lipsky even though he's not a dedicated instructor, HE IS.
 
JoeyA said:
That's two very good playing instructors. Any others out there?
JoeyA
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Joey,

I would tend to lean towards any instructor that teaches the basic fundimentals. Bridge, Stance, Stroke etc. I'm sorry, but I have always been turned off by instructors who try to inject engineering principles and geometry into pocket billiards. If they had such "foolproof" theories, why aren't they ALL "top notch" players ? I really don't feel that a "by the numbers" instructor can impart the game of pool to a novice. JMHO.

Dick
 
jay helfert said:
A pretty good player and extremely knowledgeable instructor is Marty Herman. He is known as the Pool Guru back East for good reason. Had a lot to do with Mika's development, and spent quite a bit of time with Ralf as well. I know everyone is not a big fan of his, but he does know more about pool than most of us. And can play better than 90% of us on here too, whether we care to admit it or not.
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Without going into detail as to why, I would strongly disagree with you on this one Jay. And I have never heard anyone besides Marty refer to him as a pool Guru here in the east.
 
Jerry Briesath...

Jerry is definately one of the people who should be named in this thread. Top of the list for instructors and already mentioned that he is a former pro player. I have taken lesson from him and played him too. I am not too proud to say I lost, he plays really well.
 
JoeyInCali said:
I beg to differ.
The average amateur is prolly APA 5 at best.
DS can play much better imo.
Click to expand...

Joey,

Don't get into a pissing contest with Brian.(APA7) He only brings a dull pen knife to a gunfight ! ;)

Dick
 
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My, how quickly we forget...Randyg missed being BCA national champ THIS year...by one shot! 2nd isn't too shabby! I'd say that qualifies him at, or near the top of this list.

Myself...I've only finished a distant 5th, and 3rd the following year, in a national tournament. But that was decades ago! I have, however, taken a beginner all the way to becoming a national champion!

Scott Lee
www.poolknowledge.com
 
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