So am I totally wrong on this?

FranCrimi said:
Sometimes people forget that someone who is anonymous could be could be lying or just writing some bs junk. They have nothing to lose. Nice and comfy.

When you put your name on the line, you don't screw around like that.
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I often read opinions of different professionals and instructors. Sometimes, their opinions differ so significantly, I wonder if they're discussing the same subject. So how do I tell which one is lying and just writing some bs junk?

It's an internet forum. Sometimes you have to sort through a lot of coal to find the diamond. It is the nature of the beast. If that's a huge problem for you, perhaps you should develop and manage your own forum where you could filter out the lies and bs, at least as you define those two areas.

I can tell you this. Were I putting my name on the line, where people might choose to utilize me as an instructor based upon my posts here, I don't believe I would want to come across as unfriendly, arrogant and grouchy.
 
Not everyone has a personal financial interest in publicizing themselves on this forum. Those that do could be lying or conning people, and I have no doubt that some people do just that, considering some of the quackery and nonsense that gets peddled. In the end, whether anonymous or not, you still have to judge what people post based on the validity of its content.
 
FranCrimi said:
Would you trust the word of someone that you have no idea who they are, what they know or how they play? No. I don't think so.

You've chosen to be anonymous. You shouldn't expect to be treated as if your anonymous persona is a real identity. It's not. It's a fake.
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Well here I thought this was a place to exchange ideas about the game with other pool fans from around the world.

Even though many here are anonymous, there are several that have built up a solid reputation. I don't need to know how well they play, what their tournament record is or how much money they've won. I can tell through their posting that they've paid their dues to learn this game. They may be hackers, but I doubt it. All I know is they have a keen sense for pool and can explain their thoughts well. But, because they have this "fake anonymous persona", I should discount their views? I think I'd be missing something if I did.

CJ Wiley, you're the other professional in this group. What's your take on this?
 
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It's like playing a tournament where many of the players are wearing a mask

8ballEinstein said:
Well here I thought this was a place to exchange ideas about the game with other pool fans from around the world.

Even though many here are anonymous, there are several that have built up a solid reputation. I don't need to know how well they play, what their tournament record is or how much money they've won. I can tell through their posting that they've paid their dues to learn this game. They may be hackers, but I doubt it. All I know is they have a keen sense for pool and can explain their thoughts well. But, because they have this "fake anonymous persona", I should discount their views? I think I'd be missing something if I did.

CJ Wiley, you're the other professional in this group. What's your take on this?
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I like it this way, it's like playing a tournament where many of the players are wearing a mask, which isn't a big deal, many sport a "social mask" anyway.

I can tell pretty quickly how much a player knows simply by how they phrase their remarks/questions and the terminology they use. If they're too anal about the physics of the game they are probably not seasoned players.:shrug:
mask.jpg
 
I for one have gained more from anonymous posters on this site than i have from those who are so called experts in the field of pool instruction.

Many of the anonymous posters have gone through similar situations i have, given that there are a hand full of experts on here that talk sense and are willing give up info without asking for your bank account number most will put the question out to the public rather than in the instructor forum.

Fran has a chip on her shoulder for what ever reason. Thinking you are right isn't the same as being right.

The op has had some decent advice thus far from people who they don't know, will never meet.... Compare that to the people he does know at his pool hall who are giving him mislead advice.... I know what advice id rather go with.
 
Well, I've successfully hijacked this thread, and didn't mean to. Sorry OP. Most of the advice you got earlier seemed reasonable and I was enjoying the responses. Then I was stunned to see Fran give her spin on anonymous posters - a subject we've seen here more than a few times. For some reason I couldn't let it slide. My bad.
 
There's wisdom and there's crap on this site WRT technique and improvement. I take it ALL in, give it a fair try and keep what works and discard what doesn't. I've been playing this game a very long time, but the better I get (and I still do improve) the more I realize how little I actually know. It's like climbing out of your little valley and realizing how big the world is. New avenue open up all the time. This site (even with anonymous posters) has opened my eyes to things I was stuck on and didn't even realize it was holding my game back. Anonymous posters, pros, and established instructors all please do continue to rave on! :thumbup:

I'm not very huge on drills myself, but I do stop what I'm doing when I miss and shoot the shot over and over until I don't miss. I think competition against stronger players is what gets me to move up my game. When I play weaker players, I tend to play down to their level, taking flyers I wouldn't normally take, bank when I should cut, over juice the CB just to see what happens, etc. When I play stronger players, I bear down. I agree with the posters that say play a tournament as often as you can...it's the fire that forges your steel. Drills are the anvil that you shape your foundation with.
 
So I won't contribute to dragging this on, this is my last word on the subject of anonymous posters: They should not be trusted. They are anonymous.

When a person has the guts to stand behind their name, then it is a different story. You don't have to agree with what they are saying but at least you know that they are making a sincere effort and are willing to publicly stand behind what they are saying.

Actually, it's a very simple concept to grasp: Anonymous posters are afraid, otherwise they wouldn't be anonymous. Can you think of another reason why a poster would be anonymous that doesn't involve some sort of fear?
 
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FranCrimi said:
This is my last word on the subject of anonymous posters: They should not be trusted. They are anonymous.

When a person has the guts to stand behind their name, then it is a different story. You don't have to agree with what they are saying but at least you know that they are making a sincere effort and are willing to publicly stand behind what they are saying.

Anonymous posters are afraid, otherwise they wouldn't be anonymous.
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That's a crock. Your business is pool, so you want your name out there. You're not out there with a business running searches on your name. Besides, people on the internet are crazy. I've put my name up before, but what does it prove? It proves that people don't care. Does it really matter to me or most others that you go by Fran Crimi or SpotFrog or BlueFriday or anything? Not really.

Hell, people know who Thomas Scott is, but that doesn't mean squat either. Sure as hell doesn't make him a good guy or trustworthy.
 
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As a lot of people have pointed out already it's a balancing act between developing/maintaining one's fundamentals/form and the competitive edge together in parallel.

IMHO you have to develop your stroke and fundamentals, but you also have to condition yourself to be able to consistently execute those fundamentals during situations of intense pressure. All the fundamentals in the world won't help you if you can't keep your head on straight and keep your focus from shot to shot throughout a rack. On the flip side of that coin, constantly competing without improving your fundamentals can be self-defeating and lead to a long plateau in your improvement overall. If it were me I'd recommend keeping your training somewhere in the ballpark of 60-70% practice and 40-30% actual play in the beginning. As you get consistent with your fundamentals adjust that ratio to incorporate more play and less solo practice.
 
FranCrimi said:
So I won't contribute to dragging this on, this is my last word on the subject of anonymous posters: They should not be trusted. They are anonymous.

When a person has the guts to stand behind their name, then it is a different story. You don't have to agree with what they are saying but at least you know that they are making a sincere effort and are willing to publicly stand behind what they are saying.

Actually, it's a very simple concept to grasp: Anonymous posters are afraid, otherwise they wouldn't be anonymous. Can you think of another reason why a poster would be anonymous that doesn't involve some sort of fear?
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That is one of the more ridiculous things I've read. The vast majority of people who participate on internet forums use a handle. 99% plus I would wager. So you're stating that the opinions of 99% of the posters on here are lies and bs? Are you saying randyg is telling lies and bs? randyg is essentially anonymous since that isn't his entire name. Someone who just came onto the site and wasn't familiar with the pool world wouldn't know who randyg is by reading that handle.

Regardless, who died and made you king such that you can call all the rest of us liars and spreaders of bs? With all due respect, even though you use your entire name (at least I'm guessing that is it), you're still anonymous to me as I've never seen you play on TV or seen your name mentioned among the all time greats of female pool players. Sorry, I'm showing you the same level of respect that you're showing everyone else.
 
Using a nickname isn't just about "standing by your statements".
It's about privacy and common sense.

"People who don't use their real name are scared"...
To some extent you're right.
Scared that irrational nutjobs will blow up verbal debate into a personal assault.

I mean an actual personal attack, not just a verbal one -

Calling someone at your business trying to get you fired, or in trouble with the law.
Posting your private info, like your cell phone number, so you can get harassed day and night.
Scouring the internet for a photo of you so they can attack you at some event.
Even showing up at your doorstep.

These things have all happened to people over internet arguments.
I had my own bad experience with it.

I don't need my real name in order to give good advice.
All you need to do is listen to it and decide if it sounds like it's worth trying, or not.
If anyone wants to automatically dismiss it because it came from a "nobody" that's fine.
But that's a foolish attitude.
 
I like the forum in the aspect that you can have various opinions on any subject. I put that in the personal preference category. When I see a question asked and there appears to be a majority consensus. I put that in the good advice category. I may not care to read the what's the best this or that thread. I may read the what do you think of this or that. Like a product review. Seems to many people believe their opinions are fact and they feel the need for everyone to believe they are correct. If you were trying to buy a product wouldn't you like to read reviews. The more reviews the better idea you have about that product. I treat everyone like Jane/John Doe on every topic. I look for the overall consensus.

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First of all you have to love the game, by love I mean like obsessed with it. You have to watch better players when I mean better I'm talking about the best players in the world. Watch what they do and try to figure out what they're gonna do next and why they're doing it. Pick your favorite player and try to emulate them. You have to practice on your own a lot and love practicing. You also need to play players that play right around your speed. If you play someone to good it can kill your confidence. You also need to compete in local strong tournaments, to feel what it's like playing really strong players in tournament pressure situations. You can't give up the dream of being a great player if that is your goal.
 
Anonymous posters are afraid???

FranCrimi said:
So I won't contribute to dragging this on, this is my last word on the subject of anonymous posters: They should not be trusted. They are anonymous.

When a person has the guts to stand behind their name, then it is a different story. You don't have to agree with what they are saying but at least you know that they are making a sincere effort and are willing to publicly stand behind what they are saying.

Actually, it's a very simple concept to grasp: Anonymous posters are afraid, otherwise they wouldn't be anonymous. Can you think of another reason why a poster would be anonymous that doesn't involve some sort of fear?
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Ya know, I've used a pool moniker for nearly the whole 35 years that I've been playing pool. It's been the same with many others I've known in the pool world. Some players, I never knew their real name. Just tell me what you want to be called and I'll accept it. I won't automatically distrust you because you tell me your name is Stinky.

I just learned a few things about you, Fran, and it wasn't all good.
 
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