Nice! I'm only 2:16 into it and already love it--commentary very helpful, re what English, reasons behind shots and planning.
Thanks!
-Chris
Instructional Video Part II
- Thread starter 14-1StraightMan
- Start date
Nice! I'm only 2:16 into it and already love it--commentary very helpful, re what English, reasons behind shots and planning.
Thanks!
-Chris
Train them to rack up for you^^
Ingo:
The problem with that, is that they'll take the term "pile" to mean something differently. "Going into the pile at the correct angle" is not something I'd want to do with their "piles."
Mike:
I'm watching your video now, and to quote a famous burger chain, "I'm lovin' it!" I'll comment in detail in a bit, after I've watched it in full. Stay tuned...
-Sean
Well........ :>)
OK Buddy..... I'm waiting for my friend's comment...... Hope you enjoyed watching it.
Roxie & Sophie would never leave a pile on Daddy's table..... LOL
Ingo:
The problem with that, is that they'll take the term "pile" to mean something differently. "Going into the pile at the correct angle" is not something I'd want to do with their "piles."
Mike:
I'm watching your video now, and to quote a famous burger chain, "I'm lovin' it!" I'll comment in detail in a bit, after I've watched it in full. Stay tuned...
-Sean
OK Buddy..... I'm waiting for my friend's comment...... Hope you enjoyed watching it.
Roxie & Sophie would never leave a pile on Daddy's table..... LOL
Mike Grosso never realized he's got the instructor knack
Hi Mike:
Apologies for the slightly belated turn-around. I watched the video in full, and I must say, what a great job you did! This, by far (and I'm not blowing smoke up yer petut), is one of the best non-production-setting instructional videos I've seen in a very long time.
Here's why:
1. Your calm demeanor, that still exudes personality. A lot of the non-production-setting videos I've seen (especially the ones that originate out of the midwest / tornado alley / heartland of the country -- no offense) featured instructors that had about as much personality and charisma as a flattened skunk carcass on the side of the highway. You have a nice rolling tone to your voice ("rolling" meaning that you're definitely not monotone), that I find perfect for an instructor. You never lost my attention.
2. You have a wonderful "what if" approach to shot selection. That is, instead of doing the "this is the correct shot on the table, you shouldn't even be thinking of anything else" that I've seen other instructors enforce, you instead explain the various openings to shots, and their cue ball paths, that are available to the player. You also explain why one particular shot may be better suited to the particular situation at hand, and you explain *why*. You also explain why you might take a shot, for example, in leveraging your particular strengths, which may not be the same as other people (e.g. "I might not get as much action on the cue ball as some other guys... so I shoot this shot instead"). I can't tell you how invaluable this approach is, rather than the "my way or the highway" approach that a lot of other instructors use.
3. I like the fact you're human -- you show a little emotion when, for example, you made that shot that sent the cue ball right towards the side pocket (sidenote: I don't know how you didn't scratch on that one -- did you double-point the side pocket, or did the spin on the cue ball resist the point?), and you reacted to it just as a player would. You also explain, for example, what to do when your cue ball went just a little too far for position on the key ball for that penultimate rack (i.e. going three rails around the table to end up near the center of the table for the break shot). Then you went into explaining "what if" scenarios for different cue ball positions on that break shot -- i.e. you segued into "always leaving the table on a safety, rather than a missed shot." Which leads me to my next observation...
4. "Always leave the table on a safety, never a missed shot." An invaluable tip for those learning straight pool, as the temptation is to try and keep the run going, even when the run is technically over.
5. Your video leaves the viewer with the desire (motivation?) to go hit some balls. If nothing else, that should be the "in closing" feeling from any instructional video (a lot of instructors lose sight of that).
In summary, well done! I agree with Vahmurka that leaving the little thing in with the impromptu visit from your pets (Roxie) in the video is a nice touch -- a nice break. (I wish it were done in videos more often.) She looks like a cute Pomeranian (or Pomer-huahua mix?) with a nice enthusiastic personality. (I'm a pet guy myself -- I've a standard poodle [apricot-colored, including her eyes] and Lisa's West Highland Terrier.)
And as for "leaving piles on Daddy's table" -- I agree they'd never do that. They'd run-out instead. (Run-out the door to the backyard to do their business, that is. 
)
Great job, Mike. I hope to see more, when you're ready to do more. In the meantime, I'm going to bookmark/Favoritize these, and recommend them to anyone wanting to learn 14.1.
-Sean
Hi Mike:
Apologies for the slightly belated turn-around. I watched the video in full, and I must say, what a great job you did! This, by far (and I'm not blowing smoke up yer petut), is one of the best non-production-setting instructional videos I've seen in a very long time.
Here's why:
1. Your calm demeanor, that still exudes personality. A lot of the non-production-setting videos I've seen (especially the ones that originate out of the midwest / tornado alley / heartland of the country -- no offense) featured instructors that had about as much personality and charisma as a flattened skunk carcass on the side of the highway. You have a nice rolling tone to your voice ("rolling" meaning that you're definitely not monotone), that I find perfect for an instructor. You never lost my attention.
2. You have a wonderful "what if" approach to shot selection. That is, instead of doing the "this is the correct shot on the table, you shouldn't even be thinking of anything else" that I've seen other instructors enforce, you instead explain the various openings to shots, and their cue ball paths, that are available to the player. You also explain why one particular shot may be better suited to the particular situation at hand, and you explain *why*. You also explain why you might take a shot, for example, in leveraging your particular strengths, which may not be the same as other people (e.g. "I might not get as much action on the cue ball as some other guys... so I shoot this shot instead"). I can't tell you how invaluable this approach is, rather than the "my way or the highway" approach that a lot of other instructors use.
3. I like the fact you're human -- you show a little emotion when, for example, you made that shot that sent the cue ball right towards the side pocket (sidenote: I don't know how you didn't scratch on that one -- did you double-point the side pocket, or did the spin on the cue ball resist the point?), and you reacted to it just as a player would. You also explain, for example, what to do when your cue ball went just a little too far for position on the key ball for that penultimate rack (i.e. going three rails around the table to end up near the center of the table for the break shot). Then you went into explaining "what if" scenarios for different cue ball positions on that break shot -- i.e. you segued into "always leaving the table on a safety, rather than a missed shot." Which leads me to my next observation...
4. "Always leave the table on a safety, never a missed shot." An invaluable tip for those learning straight pool, as the temptation is to try and keep the run going, even when the run is technically over.
5. Your video leaves the viewer with the desire (motivation?) to go hit some balls. If nothing else, that should be the "in closing" feeling from any instructional video (a lot of instructors lose sight of that).
In summary, well done! I agree with Vahmurka that leaving the little thing in with the impromptu visit from your pets (Roxie) in the video is a nice touch -- a nice break. (I wish it were done in videos more often.) She looks like a cute Pomeranian (or Pomer-huahua mix?) with a nice enthusiastic personality. (I'm a pet guy myself -- I've a standard poodle [apricot-colored, including her eyes] and Lisa's West Highland Terrier.)
And as for "leaving piles on Daddy's table" -- I agree they'd never do that. They'd run-out instead.
(Run-out the door to the backyard to do their business, that is. )Great job, Mike. I hope to see more, when you're ready to do more. In the meantime, I'm going to bookmark/Favoritize these, and recommend them to anyone wanting to learn 14.1.
-Sean
PoolCat
Registered
Great job. You may have set a new standard in pool videos !
I am an 8-ball player who is asked to play straight pool by a good friend. To me 14.1 is very difficult to learn. It's hard to find a place to get started. But your video II has made my see the light. Your thought process is what sets this effort above the rest. Can you imagine how valuable it would be if a someone like SVB played a few racks of 9 - ball and shared his thought process.
I am an 8-ball player who is asked to play straight pool by a good friend. To me 14.1 is very difficult to learn. It's hard to find a place to get started. But your video II has made my see the light. Your thought process is what sets this effort above the rest. Can you imagine how valuable it would be if a someone like SVB played a few racks of 9 - ball and shared his thought process.
Mike: What happened to part III?
I hope we did not jinx you and that you are still hitting them good.
:smile:
By the way, did you say Leroy Kinman is a guy you play with. I saw a picture of him here in a 1973 US Open program.
http://www.charlesursitti.com/archive/programs/1973USOpen141.pdf
I hope we did not jinx you and that you are still hitting them good.
:smile:
By the way, did you say Leroy Kinman is a guy you play with. I saw a picture of him here in a 1973 US Open program.
http://www.charlesursitti.com/archive/programs/1973USOpen141.pdf
Last edited:
Leroy Kinman
Yes, what a great find. It that your program? Leroy also is the sports commentator for Wide World of Sports for that 1963 match between Mosconi & Caras held in Chicago. I had sent a few guys here on the Forum copies of it.
I need to go back and read all the print. That is so interesting. There are some great heavy hitters in that tournament.
Reading the comment under Leroy's name about winning the Alaska State Championship. He told me that he won it two years in a row and the promoter of the tournament asked him not to come back there any longer.
The local players were complaining that he was too good and they were going to stop playing in any future tournaments.
Thanks Dennis for posting this.
Yes, what a great find. It that your program? Leroy also is the sports commentator for Wide World of Sports for that 1963 match between Mosconi & Caras held in Chicago. I had sent a few guys here on the Forum copies of it.
I need to go back and read all the print. That is so interesting. There are some great heavy hitters in that tournament.
Reading the comment under Leroy's name about winning the Alaska State Championship. He told me that he won it two years in a row and the promoter of the tournament asked him not to come back there any longer.
The local players were complaining that he was too good and they were going to stop playing in any future tournaments.
Thanks Dennis for posting this.
Yep. Waiting....
Mike - dittos re your Part 2 video. It is a fantastic learning resource for those of us attempting to improve at straight pool. I am particulaly impressed with your ability to discuss your strategy in easy to understand language while maintaining your concentration to complete each rack and achieve virtually perfect position for your break shots. Don
Big Thanks
Once again, Thanks for all the great comments & PM's.
Steve, Dennis & Melinda.....
The paint on the film wasn't even dry on Video I & II and you all were asking about a third one....... LOL
I really was not thinking about making any more videos but after all the great comments & PM's, it has me thinking about it. "Poolcat" suggested in a PM that I walk through a rack of 8 ball. I like that idea b/c I like 8 ball and it has such a strong 14.1 connection.
PS: Dennis, if that 1973 program is yours. Can you make me a copy of just the two player pages. I would really appreciate it.
Once again, Thanks for all the great comments & PM's.
Steve, Dennis & Melinda.....
The paint on the film wasn't even dry on Video I & II and you all were asking about a third one....... LOL
I really was not thinking about making any more videos but after all the great comments & PM's, it has me thinking about it. "Poolcat" suggested in a PM that I walk through a rack of 8 ball. I like that idea b/c I like 8 ball and it has such a strong 14.1 connection.
PS: Dennis, if that 1973 program is yours. Can you make me a copy of just the two player pages. I would really appreciate it.
Mike: That isn't mine. It is on a great site put up by Charles Ursitti. You can just go to the link and download the whole thing if you want and print out a copy.
And if you wanna just print specific pages go to the file menu and hit print and put in the page numbers that you want !!!
Dennis did you try to open it up on the iPad ? It's pretty cool if you have the iBook app. It will add it into your collection of books and PDFs . Neat feature there.
Steve
Dennis did you try to open it up on the iPad ? It's pretty cool if you have the iBook app. It will add it into your collection of books and PDFs . Neat feature there.
Steve
Thanks
A special Thanks to Sean for that wonderful comment.
Thanks so much.
A special Thanks to Sean for that wonderful comment.
Thanks so much.
Video
Bumping my video.
Bumping my video.
cosmicpimp2
Registered
Hi guys I haven't posted in years and more like to read but I have to put something up. It's a great video and I can't believe how good your cue ball control is. I love playing straight but it's tough to find people to play. I really learned a lot in this video that would've took forever to learn just playing by myself.
This is a great idea! PLEASE!
That Magic #
Well, we were just talking about that "Magic # of 100" earlier today.
I had stated how hard it is to do. I just ran 99.
Missed on a hard shot that skidded on me. I do believe that it would of gone if it hadn't skidded but a miss is a miss. Nothing that anyone can do about it.
That stuff happens in matches all the time, it just hurts when it is the 100 ball.
Yes.... Stevie. I had the video going for once and got it on tape.....LOL
I will try to get it down loaded soon.
Well, we were just talking about that "Magic # of 100" earlier today.
I had stated how hard it is to do. I just ran 99.
Missed on a hard shot that skidded on me. I do believe that it would of gone if it hadn't skidded but a miss is a miss. Nothing that anyone can do about it.
That stuff happens in matches all the time, it just hurts when it is the 100 ball.
Yes.... Stevie. I had the video going for once and got it on tape.....LOL
I will try to get it down loaded soon.