Skill and knowledge go hand in hand.
This might be true sometimes, but I don't think this is true as a general rule in pool. I guess it depends on how you define "skill" and "knowledge."
To me "skills" are things like: accurate and consistent aiming and alignment, a straight and consistent stroke, accurate and consistent speed control, ability to consistently generate power and accuracy with the break shot, ability (not knowledge) to execute skill shots like jump and masse, etc.!!! Skill comes easier to some people based partly on natural abilities (good 3D perception and visualization, good eyesight and vision, good eye-hand-coordination, good fine-motor control, etc.). But "skill" comes mostly from putting in lots and table time working on drills, practicing, playing, and shooting thousands of shots. A good instructor can also help a person work on and improve their skills. "Knowledge" can help some people develop some skills "faster" because "knowledge" can help somebody practice more efficiently, and better see and understand certain trends and ball reactions. A knowledgeable instructor can also help with providing this sort of insight. Also, with knowledge, some skills can be learned the "right way," possibly helping to reduce wasted time, frustration, and loss of confidence.
To me, "knowledge" includes stuff like: knowing the recommended "best practices" for technique (e.g., stroke mechanics); understanding the basic principles of position control (90-degree rule, 30-degree rule, think 3 balls ahead, leaving angles, cheating pockets, coming into the line vs. crossing a line, etc.!!!); understanding the basic principles of English (what type of English to use on different shots, the effects of outside vs. inside English, how to use English effectively with rail cut shots, the effects of squirt/swerve/throw and how they vary with speed, angle, and spin, and when these effects can help you and knowing how to compensate for them when they can hurt you, what back-hand-English is and when it works and when it doesn't, etc.!!!); knowing about all of the creative options that exist in different situations (e.g., knowing all of the ways to play safe and when, "seeing" carom and billiards opportunities, knowing when and how to use kiss-back and double-kiss shots, etc. !!!); knowing how to aim kick and bank shots and knowing how to adjust for the effects of speed, spin, angle, distance, conditions, outside vs. inside cuts; knowing how (even if you don't have the skill or physical ability) to execute various types of "skill" shots (proper jump shot technique, how to aim masse shots, how and when to use after-collision masse, understanding when and how to use quick-draw, etc. !!!); etc. !!!
I have met some players with incredibly "skill" who didn't "know" that squirt can vary from one cue to another, or that throw exists and that it is more for a stun shot than with a follow or draw shot, or how to control the CB with a rail cut shot by hitting ball-first vs. rail first, or that maximum slow-roll CB angle-deflection occurs with close to a half-ball hit, or how to aim two-rail and three-rail kicks using the Plus-2 and Corner-5 systems, or how spin-transfer affects bank shots, or how to aim a masse shot, or how elbow-drop affects a draw shot, etc., etc., etc.!!! To me, this is all "knowledge." I don't claim to have a lot of "skill" at the table, because my professional and personal commitments prevent me from putting in enough table time to develop and maintain those "skills," but I think I have a fair amount of pool knowledge, and I like sharing this knowledge as an author, instructional columnist, and instructor. It sounds like you and some others feel I don't have a right to share my knowledge and understanding because I don't play enough to have a high level of skill (i.e., "If I'm not 'better' than you, how can I teach you anything?"). If that's the case, nobody is forcing you to read my book, articles, or posts, and nobody is forcing you to watch any of my videos. I don't agree with your opinion, because I think everybody who loves and understands this game like I do, regardless of their skill level, can offer sometimes-useful advice, understanding, insight, and knowledge, provided they are willing to share the information. I am always willing to learn from others, even if they don't play as good as me, provided they have something useful to offer and can communicate their ideas effectively.
Having said all of this, "knowledge" cannot make you a better pool player if you don't put in time to develop the "skills" necessary to apply the knowledge. However, I think "skills" can sometimes be developed more quickly and with less frustration if a person has more knowledge. Now, once a certain level of "skill" has been achieved, knowledge can still help that person improve (e.g., by learning about advanced strategy you might not appreciate, or by learning how to make certain types of shots you still might not be aware of, or by better learning how and why you might be missing certain shots, etc. !!!).
Here's my summary: Everybody can benefit from "knowledge," regardless of their "skill" level, if they are open-minded and appreciate the value of the knowledge.
Regards,
Dave
