Overcutting Balls And Then Not

BilliardsAbout said:
I've had private emails from AZ Billiards who are in my boxing corner and can see how mean and rude posters are to them and/or would be if they speak up here. God forbid they'd even say they read my book or found me through About because you'd say they were a weak player to begin because all good students must come to AZ.

Forums tend to have small blocks of people who post over and again. AZ is number one but is a drop in the billiards bucket and my bucket.

Feel free to debate aim, stance and stroke with me and stop hijacking the thread.
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You are going down the wrong path trying to predict my responses. I don't belittle people for the instruction they have taken. While I haven't given them heat other instructors on here have taken their share and to a man they have had students leap to their defense. Only you have a legion of private supporters.

If AZ is incosequential to you then why bother with it?
 
sfleinen said:
Matt:

(Apologies for my quiescence, and then suddenly coming back in "out of the blue" -- 'tis just the travails of a working man and his day job.)

I do have to ask you one question, and it relates to a recurring theme I see in how you post and reply to posts. You keep bringing up this "<insert a number in the thousands> words" thing when related to your responses, or your posts, or anything involving writing.

I'm a published writer (Google my name, if you like). Other than fulfilling the contract of a book engagement (where it is expected that content be of a particular size or length), I've NEVER seen an author or writer so focused (obsessed?) with "word count" of his content.

When I or any other helpful person compose a communique for the purposes of addressing a question or issue, we are never cognizant of the "word count" needed to do so. In fact, when I personally write, it's in "stream of consciousness" fashion; I do proofread myself to make sure there are no typos, grammatical errors, and that I've used language that is clear, but I NEVER count the number of words, or even *think* about the "word count" of the communique.

I have to ask you -- what is the deal with this? Are you this way because you get paid by the word or something? (You have to admit that the question and the observation are logical, from the readership [and authorship] here who are not focused on "word count.")

Thoughts?
-Sean F. Leinen <-- my full name, if you want to take me up on the Google exercise
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Sean,

I wrote 1,000 words yesterday to Roadie and was aware of the count as I checked in Word my count since my first response to pj was flagged for being over the acceptable limit in its thread and that response looked almost as long.

I am usually aware of word count in general. Old habit from putting one photo every X words and so on--comes from technical writing and desktop publishing and editing.

I think the real issue is photo count, though. I've been told I dumb down terms and then the same people criticize me for not having enough diagrams. Guess they like lots of pictures in the books they read. :)

Do you have an author's bio page up? I googled you, looked on Amazon, etc. and found you are listed as a semi-pro in skill and operator but I'd be interested in seeing more of your writing.

Thank you.
 
BilliardsAbout said:
Is this Instruction Outline representative of the "chaos" of my GuideSite? :) It's for beginners but is hard to find, being linked to every page of my site...



This is not the gentlemanly way to behave, sir. Dozens of editions of the BCA's basic primer show photos of stance that you disagree with and rudely attacked me for, not deigning to answer my responses to your comments on stance. By your own comments, you could not or would not certify as an instructor.

I've said my piece and showed you the courtesy of an almost 1000-word reply yesterday, which is longer than most of my articles! Discuss stance, aim and stroke with me and confine yourself or leave the thread, please.
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The thing is that I am not the one advertising myself as an instructor and writing articles from a bully pulpit. So whether I would or would not be able become a certified instructor is not the issue.

Regarding the stance. You say that the BCA guide shows a stance than you teach and yet you don't like what the BCA teaches?

The point I was making about that is that the type of stance you forcefully told your readers is absolutely wrong is exactly the same stance than most of the world's top player use. Using the BCA's basic primer is incredibly weak as a defense when images of professional player's were used to critique your instruction.

Sorry but if you're teaching to the level of the How To Play Pool booklet given out by the BCA then perhaps you should evaluate your assessment of your skills as an instructor.

Man, I can't even stand to look at the pages at About.com any longer, there are an unbelievable amount of ads surrounding very little content. Here http://billiards.about.com/od/styleetiquette/a/billiardsonline_5.htm
you take FIVE pages with only a few paragraphs on each page to give very little useful advice. On just one of the pages there are 17 advertisements and lnks to how to throw a baseball, and tennis among others. Continue to blow your own horn Mr. Sherman, you're doing very well.

And no, I don't prefer to talk about the concept that players undercut the ball when aiming at the contact point or whatever it is you said because I don't care about contact points. I aim using CTE and that works very well for me thanks. I did however go and read your article as you asked us to do and that lead me to the rest which is why I took the step of showing you my irritation with your attitude.

And so far you have not shown the slightest amount of humilty and have instead ramped up the hubris.
 
Roadie said:
You are going down the wrong path trying to predict my responses. I don't belittle people for the instruction they have taken. While I haven't given them heat other instructors on here have taken their share and to a man they have had students leap to their defense. Only you have a legion of private supporters.

If AZ is incosequential to you then why bother with it?
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You are going down the wrong path trying to predict my responses. I don't belittle people for the instruction they have taken. While I haven't given them heat other instructors on here have taken their share and to a man they have had students leap to their defense. Only you have a legion of private supporters.
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Roadie, I don't mind debating you but their is only bluster from you here, not facts.

*I am not trying to predict your responses. You are too emotional and random to do so with efficiency.

*You do belittle people for the instruction taken. You have belittled my readers, my site and me.

*I did not say I have a "legion" of private supporters. I have public supporters and have posted their comments and support not to show my wares but in response to non-fact based attacks.

*The fact you are ducking is that AZ includes very abrasive and abusive posters. I made a conscious choice not to write students and have them post here in support of me because 1) I'm an adult 2) I can defend myself 3) You would likely accuse them of being on the shill and me of faking them or paying them and THAT response is simple to predict. :) 4) I have already been supported by readers on multiple threads even this week who aren't taking paid lessons from me but merely opining that they read my About articles where you claim no intelligent AZ reader visits. Of course, your "wisdom search" on my articles this week is increasing my metrics, for which I am grateful. 5) Probably most people interested in AIMING have dropped from the thread by the time they read my (11th? 80th?) challenge to debate aim. You'll recall it began with the first POST.

If AZ is incosequential to you then why bother with it?
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*Just yesterday, I recommended someone on the telephone to visit AZ Forums. I never said or wrote "inconsequential".

You may have more knowledge of billiards than I and you may play better than I (here comes that spot, baby). But your "debate tactics" are little short of Hitlerian. Why don't I just say "Stop lying, sir, and quote some facts about aim or stance or hit the road."

God bless you.
 
Roadie said:
The thing is that I am not the one advertising myself as an instructor and writing articles from a bully pulpit. So whether I would or would not be able become a certified instructor is not the issue.

Regarding the stance. You say that the BCA guide shows a stance than you teach and yet you don't like what the BCA teaches?

The point I was making about that is that the type of stance you forcefully told your readers is absolutely wrong is exactly the same stance than most of the world's top player use. Using the BCA's basic primer is incredibly weak as a defense when images of professional player's were used to critique your instruction.

Sorry but if you're teaching to the level of the How To Play Pool booklet given out by the BCA then perhaps you should evaluate your assessment of your skills as an instructor.

Man, I can't even stand to look at the pages at About.com any longer, there are an unbelievable amount of ads surrounding very little content. Here http://billiards.about.com/od/styleetiquette/a/billiardsonline_5.htm
you take FIVE pages with only a few paragraphs on each page to give very little useful advice. On just one of the pages there are 17 advertisements and lnks to how to throw a baseball, and tennis among others. Continue to blow your own horn Mr. Sherman, you're doing very well.

And no, I don't prefer to talk about the concept that players undercut the ball when aiming at the contact point or whatever it is you said because I don't care about contact points. I aim using CTE and that works very well for me thanks. I did however go and read your article as you asked us to do and that lead me to the rest which is why I took the step of showing you my irritation with your attitude.

And so far you have not shown the slightest amount of humilty and have instead ramped up the hubris.
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You say that the BCA guide shows a stance than you teach and yet you don't like what the BCA teaches?
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No, I wrote that they teach a stance you don't like. Pot and kettle.

The point I was making about that is that the type of stance you forcefully told your readers is absolutely wrong is exactly the same stance than most of the world's top player use.
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I've already addressed the myths and facts in a previous page.

The rest of your thread is barely intelligible. Something about how my teaching is invalid because I have advertisements on my page.
 
BilliardsAbout said:
Sean,

I wrote 1,000 words yesterday to Roadie and was aware of the count as I checked in Word my count since my first response to pj was flagged for being over the acceptable limit in its thread and that response looked almost as long.

I am usually aware of word count in general. Old habit from putting one photo every X words and so on--comes from technical writing and desktop publishing and editing.

I think the real issue is photo count, though. I've been told I dumb down terms and then the same people criticize me for not having enough diagrams. Guess they like lots of pictures in the books they read. :)
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Matt:

Although I know you meant this humorously, I think you're skirting the reason for the criticism on this topic. It's not because of "coloring book" mentality, but rather for thoroughness on the part of the author imparting the knowledge. Those of us that are well-written find it EASY to pummel the reader with "thousands of words." Like I said, for some of us, it's stream of consciousness. However, it's quite another to take the time to graph or draw out a concept in a graphics program, or take a photo and mark it up, or use CueTable (pool.bz) -- or what-have-you -- and then write *to* that drawing/photo/CueTable.

Please do not mock the criticism that you do not adequately include pictures in your articles.

BilliardsAbout said:
Do you have an author's bio page up? I googled you, looked on Amazon, etc. and found you are listed as a semi-pro in skill and operator but I'd be interested in seeing more of your writing.

Thank you.
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For some reason (perhaps age of the publication?), Amazon removed my name from the tags and headline related to this work:

http://amazon.com/Windows-NT-Server-Administrators-Guide/dp/0761507515

I co-authored this book, and if you look at the Editorial Review, you'll see in the first review my name is in there. I literally wrote a third of this book (the chapters related to network administration, DNS, Internet security, etc.), so I'm surprised my name was removed from the list of headline authors by Amazon. I'll contact them and get that fixed.

I authored several more books around this time period, but sadly, they are out of print now, and I'm much too busy with maintaining my I.T. network security company to get involved in more publishing gigs at the moment.

-Sean
 
Please do not mock the criticism that you do not adequately include pictures in your articles.
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I understand your point and respect it. I'd responded earlier to others that I did many of them for my site, book and Inside Pool.

I was rather pointing out inconsistencies. Being told I am "too verbose" and "dumbing down" from the same people and that "my diagrams are wrong" and I better "use more diagrams" by the same people, and rudely, that's something the debater in me notices.

I authored several more books around this time period, but sadly, they are out of print now, and I'm much too busy with maintaining my I.T. network security company to get involved in more publishing gigs at the moment.
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The work you've done is tremendously impressive. One of my degrees is an A.S. in computer sciences and I wrote half a book on using MS Office that did not go to print yet, so that makes me still more impressed with your NT Server work. Good job.
 
BilliardsAbout said:
Roadie, I don't mind debating you but their is only bluster from you here, not facts.

*I am not trying to predict your responses. You are too emotional and random to do so with efficiency.

*You do belittle people for the instruction taken. You have belittled my readers, my site and me.

*I did not say I have a "legion" of private supporters. I have public supporters and have posted their comments and support not to show my wares but in response to non-fact based attacks.

*The fact you are ducking is that AZ includes very abrasive and abusive posters. I made a conscious choice not to write students and have them post here in support of me because 1) I'm an adult 2) I can defend myself 3) You would likely accuse them of being on the shill and me of faking them or paying them and THAT response is simple to predict. :) 4) I have already been supported by readers on multiple threads even this week who aren't taking paid lessons from me but merely opining that they read my About articles where you claim no intelligent AZ reader visits. Of course, your "wisdom search" on my articles this week is increasing my metrics, for which I am grateful. 5) Probably most people interested in AIMING have dropped from the thread by the time they read my (11th? 80th?) challenge to debate aim. You'll recall it began with the first POST.



*Just yesterday, I recommended someone on the telephone to visit AZ Forums. I never said or wrote "inconsequential".

You may have more knowledge of billiards than I and you may play better than I (here comes that spot, baby). But your "debate tactics" are little short of Hitlerian. Why don't I just say "Stop lying, sir, and quote some facts about aim or stance or hit the road."

God bless you.
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I missed where you posted the testimonials from your students? And the list of pros you have instructed? Where is that?

Hitlerian? Is that even a word? Are you sure you didn't want to say Hitleresque? And if so in what way?

I know that AZB has many abusive and abrasive posters. Never said that it doesn't. That has nothing to do with the fact that you tout yourself as a super instructor who is better than most other instructors.

I don't recall belittling your readers. How would I know who your readers are and why would I belittle them for getting trapped in your bubble? I am sure that most players reach a point where they don't put much stock in the about.com articles preferring to get their pool information from more credible sources. But certainly it's not the reader's fault when the quality of information isn't great. You have plenty of quantity and not much quality in my opinion. And that's just my opinion, an anonymous one. Maybe others see much more quality than I do.

Anyway you are certainly not going to change based on anything I have to say. You have a privileged position to be the gatekeeper of billiards information on a huge content mill. How you use it is up to you. So far I see a lot of words, not much substance, but at least you are writing a lot and that counts for something in keeping people interested in pool. And any interest is better than no interest.
 
I missed where you posted the testimonials from your students? And the list of pros you have instructed? Where is that?
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I posted testimonials on other threads from instructors and master instructors from all certifying bodies on threads this week (including BCA) in response to just that sort of question. Are you baiting me to post them again so that you can accuse me again? Since you've said I blow my horn as recently as this morning, why on earth would I post more testimonials?

And from someone who's "read" so many of my pages, I'm surprised. If you'd read them carefully you'd probably say I have too many comments from students on those pages praising me as an instructor!

I've already addressed your point regarding not posting pro lists. It's unprofessional and dare I say it? Boastful.

Rather than post a pro list, I'd rather send you names of pros and pro teachers I know who will all say, "Matt is a good Christian, honest, and a thoughtful teacher with his students." Would that help?

Hitlerian? Is that even a word? Are you sure you didn't want to say Hitleresque? And if so in what way?
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Hitlerian - Totalitarian mixed with Hitleresque.

I know that AZB has many abusive and abrasive posters. Never said that it doesn't. That has nothing to do with the fact that you tout yourself as a super instructor who is better than most other instructors.
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That is untrue. I've never said that on any thread, in my book or at AZ or anywhere else. I will repeat I am an excellent instructor and I did share with my wife recently that I've reached one of my life goals--to be one of the finest pool instructors and to work amongst other fine instructors. But the concept that I say I'm better than most instructors grates against my soul.

I am someone who was a sinner and was saved by the grace of Jesus Christ. I'm not better than anyone else.

Roadie, I'd like to share a thought with you and I hope you'll receive it. Humility is virtuous and you've extolled it to me frequently this week. But false humility comes when someone who wins Olympic gold says, "Gosh, no, I didn't work hard and I know nothing about my sport. I just got lucky." False humility is a kind of reverse pride.

I'm a good billiards teacher. I have arrived at the point in my career where to say differently would be false humility.

If you wanted to debate further, you might ask me, "How do you think that, Matt?" or "How are you a good teacher?" and then look for flaws in my reasoning rather than repeat the same groundless attacks.

I treat my students in a Christian manner. I guarantee in advance that they will improve and play better, and learn more. I then back that with the pledge of free lessons and free resources should they feel they haven't (an empty promise since everyone is satisfied with my help). I'm not lying, this is true.

I also say, "I'm not a chiropractor and you won't see me five times a week for life. I'll help you with concepts and fundamentals and teach you self-diagnosis. When we part, you'll be on a virtuous cycle of improvement." If I was really arrogant, I'd say probably my students don't come to AZ because they are so awesome at pool--but that would be amazingly arrogant to say, wouldn't it? Just kidding, bro.

I back that I will follow-up with more help in person or by e-mail and phone. We all know the temporary effects of a fun lesson where we play better for a few days and then it goes away. I back my work to help the lessons stick.

I give free lessons to people in need and enjoy teaching more than playing. I love to teach and help others.

**What are you looking for from me, Roadie?**

You critique my style and find it grating. I've been selected from among many Guides before at About national meetings for being engaging and writing in innovative ways. I'm not going to write much differently going forward.

You say I'm not humble. If I was arrogant, I would have stopped responding to you days ago at all. Instead, I've asked you to debate aim but you seem upset that I won't debate CTE because I think it can be a good system.

What do you want from me? I will respond as honestly as I can when you tell me. We can then let the forum readers judge my responses.

And frankly, you have a great eye for details. Even though your phenolic accusation was off base--I didn't say they were banned and I didn't say they weren't--a student asked me in a question and I discussed the merits of the tips--I could use someone like you to proofread my work. I'd like to invite you to post to my site and even write articles for it. Why not?

Thank you.
 
BilliardsAbout said:
I posted testimonials on other threads from instructors and master instructors from all certifying bodies on threads this week (including BCA) in response to just that sort of question. Are you baiting me to post them again so that you can accuse me again? Since you've said I blow my horn as recently as this morning, why on earth would I post more testimonials?

And from someone who's "read" so many of my pages, I'm surprised. If you'd read them carefully you'd probably say I have too many comments from students on those pages praising me as an instructor!

I've already addressed your point regarding not posting pro lists. It's unprofessional and dare I say it? Boastful.

Rather than post a pro list, I'd rather send you names of pros and pro teachers I know who will all say, "Matt is a good Christian, honest, and a thoughtful teacher with his students." Would that help?



Hitlerian - Totalitarian mixed with Hitleresque.



That is untrue. I've never said that on any thread, in my book or at AZ or anywhere else. I will repeat I am an excellent instructor and I did share with my wife recently that I've reached one of my life goals--to be one of the finest pool instructors and to work amongst other fine instructors. But the concept that I say I'm better than most instructors grates against my soul.

I am someone who was a sinner and was saved by the grace of Jesus Christ. I'm not better than anyone else.

Roadie, I'd like to share a thought with you and I hope you'll receive it. Humility is virtuous and you've extolled it to me frequently this week. But false humility comes when someone who wins Olympic gold says, "Gosh, no, I didn't work hard and I know nothing about my sport. I just got lucky." False humility is a kind of reverse pride.

I'm a good billiards teacher. I have arrived at the point in my career where to say differently would be false humility.

If you wanted to debate further, you might ask me, "How do you think that, Matt?" or "How are you a good teacher?" and then look for flaws in my reasoning rather than repeat the same groundless attacks.

I treat my students in a Christian manner. I guarantee in advance that they will improve and play better, and learn more. I then back that with the pledge of free lessons and free resources should they feel they haven't (an empty promise since everyone is satisfied with my help). I'm not lying, this is true.

I also say, "I'm not a chiropractor and you won't see me five times a week for life. I'll help you with concepts and fundamentals and teach you self-diagnosis. When we part, you'll be on a virtuous cycle of improvement." If I was really arrogant, I'd say probably my students don't come to AZ because they are so awesome at pool--but that would be amazingly arrogant to say, wouldn't it? Just kidding, bro.

I back that I will follow-up with more help in person or by e-mail and phone. We all know the temporary effects of a fun lesson where we play better for a few days and then it goes away. I back my work to help the lessons stick.

I give free lessons to people in need and enjoy teaching more than playing. I love to teach and help others.

**What are you looking for from me, Roadie?**

You critique my style and find it grating. I've been selected from among many Guides before at About national meetings for being engaging and writing in innovative ways. I'm not going to write much differently going forward.

You say I'm not humble. If I was arrogant, I would have stopped responding to you days ago at all. Instead, I've asked you to debate aim but you seem upset that I won't debate CTE because I think it can be a good system.

What do you want from me? I will respond as honestly as I can when you tell me. We can then let the forum readers judge my responses.

And frankly, you have a great eye for details. Even though your phenolic accusation was off base--I didn't say they were banned and I didn't say they weren't--a student asked me in a question and I discussed the merits of the tips--I could use someone like you to proofread my work. I'd like to invite you to post to my site and even write articles for it. Why not?

Thank you.
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What do I want from you? Haven't thought about it but I guess we could start with being more like Jesus since you invoke him a lot. I'd like to see you linking more to outside sources to help promote the billiard web. There are a lot of excellent writers who are blogging about pool as well as lots of other resources for pool news. Would be nice if you used your position to provide some pathways to those places.


I stand corrected, it was your reader who incorrectly identifed the BCA as the organization that banned phenolic tips. My apologies.

As to the offer thank you but I am not interested. After we are done here I doubt our paths will cross unless I happen to be coming to where you are and decide to meet you. I am sure you are a decent person and you are passionate about the game. You writing demeanor rubs me the wrong way is all. I am sure that in person you are fine fellow as most of us are.
 
What do I want from you? Haven't thought about it but I guess we could start with being more like Jesus since you invoke him a lot. I'd like to see you linking more to outside sources to help promote the billiard web. There are a lot of excellent writers who are blogging about pool as well as lots of other resources for pool news. Would be nice if you used your position to provide some pathways to those places.
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I appreciate your request although I am a Christ-like person. I find that links pages are of limited use and I prefer individual reviews. I should probably do a review of AZ's forums at my site--those have been helpful to products and people I've reviewed before. I do use the site to promote resources, products and other teachers. I also send people to other teachers online as often it's a hardship for a student to pay for my travel, too.

Thank you very much.
 
BilliardsAbout said:
Now now, child.

Jesus and I tell the truth. Listen to Him if you don't want to listen to me.
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He just told me to tell Matt to shut up. Don't believe me, just ask him. He said something about casting judgement and throwing stones and said you would know what he meant.

Don't shoot the messenger.
 
Roadie said:
He just told me to tell Matt to shut up. Don't believe me, just ask him. He said something about casting judgement and throwing stones and said you would know what he meant.

Don't shoot the messenger.
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Heh-heh. Not bad, Roadie, not bad.

But do not take me for some conjurer of cheap tricks... I'm here to help you.

Ian-mckellen-gandalf-220x165.jpg
 
BilliardsAbout said:
Hi, Dogs:

Are you one of Roadie's followers or pool students? I never wrote anything close to "no one ever dared to put out there".

Roadie is using hyperbole so that instead of just calling me on the phone to talk pool or ask about my lessons, he can attack me for saying I'm a skilled instructor.

As if he's met a lot of pool teachers who advertise, "I'm a bad instructor! Come pay me for lessons!" :)
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Chill, dude. I was just trying to lighten things up. My only contribution to this thread was posting that I would have thought most amateurs under-cut shots rather than over-cut them. I've no interest in locking horns over any of this. :grin-square:

BTW, I still think most bangers under-cut.
 
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DogsPlayingPool said:
Chill, dude. I was just trying to lighten things up. My only contribution to this thread was posting that I would have thought most amateurs under-cut shots rather than over-cut them. I've no interest in locking horns over any of this. :grin-square:

BTW, I still think most bangers under-cut.
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If you want to lighten the mood, perhaps attacking the poor sucker under attack from everyone was not a great choice!

Thanks for the note. I'd encourage you to watch the bangers and ask a few questions. I think you'll come to agree with me after some observation.
 
Patrick Johnson said:
LOL. And you wonder why people react negatively to you here?

Hint: it's not because you're so like Jesus Christ.

pj
chgo
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An excellent observation, Patrick.

Jesus was God and told people of His love. He was gracious and marvelous and no one I know, not even Atheists who deny His Godhood, will say anything bad about Him.

Yet He was slaughtered as a lamb. Why do you think that was?
 
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