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I agree with your point. Many without knowledge subconsciously compensate for throw and etc. so when they do throw and miss, they also assume their aim was wrong, if the stroke was sure. I've witnessed this many times.

The novel is the same as the film, Eddie loses his temper and thrashes them instead of hiding his true skill, and they abuse him. Burt knew all the odds and wouldn't want to stakehorse a player with broken thumbs, he would have broken something else on Eddie with a "hit".

If their stance, stroke and aim is quality, and they don't understand spin- and collision-induced throw and miss, of course they are going to criticize their aiming skills. That's one reason. Another reason is that fundamentals are important in stick-and-ball sports but amateurs see pros run...

You didn't ask me but I don't recommend it, ever.

In general, aspiring players who aim to reach a professional level typically spend 80% of their time on drills and 20% on gameplay. As they progress, this ratio begins to reverse. Established professionals, on the other hand as mentioned in this thread, often skip drills altogether unless they...

In general, top players make few conscious adjustments when pocketing balls. There are occasional exceptions, such as when a player intentionally throws an object ball off-line to improve the cue ball's position. For example, instead of cutting the five-ball in with center ball, a player might...

Stroke without a cue ball, key words include oily, soft, buttery, smoooooooooth. In practice, stroke all the way back and through as if there's no cue ball.

You can start the other way, running three balls 80% of the time with ball-in-hand, you add a fourth, running 80% add a fifth, and so on. Playing Rotation will enhance your safety skills and kicks, etc. in contrast.

One of my students was a C-player when we began. He now competes in pro and semi-pro tournaments and has earned trophies. His journey is well documented. He has over two million Instagram followers as a billiards equipment representative: https://www.instagram.com/hendrakurniawan.real/?hl=en I...

Bump. I have TK's schedule and can put you in touch for lessons with him (and with me as well, joint lessons). Thank you.

My friend Tom Kennedy aka Tommy Kennedy aka TK aka The Juggler aka "That Kennedy guy that Fast Eddie has to face in The Color of Money" is offering lessons again. TK's many laurels include well over 200 different tournament titles, among them a U.S. Open victory across some of the most epic...

Worst shot ever, when the OB was pocketed? Naahhh...

It was a pleasure to receive this from a student I met with on Saturday: "Hi Matt, just wanted to thank you for all of your time yesterday. I really enjoyed it. I can tell that you, like I, really enjoy teaching. That it's clear you've given a lot of thought and study to the game. It was very...

If you can find any remaining Cue Track devices (created by Tony Mattina), they are superb. I've watched with Tony as pros and aspiring pros used them to great benefit.

Great tips, thank you! Speaking of combining aim and stance, there's a concept that can elevate your game: using both hands to aim. Many players and some instructors suggest that we should simply position the bridge arm consistently for most shots and adopt a stiff stance, then let the stroke...

Referrals welcome. TBH, I've taken players from C-level to semi-pro level. And I know BHE, FHE, parallel and more and can help you parse 'em. :)

There are various types of strokes in pool. For instance, a favorite Nine Ball break involves adding spin-induced throw, which is different from the Eight Ball break. Students should focus on mastering soft to medium shots first, as you mentioned.

Because a pure stroke can feel as if the cue ball does not impact the cue stick. There is still feeling, smooth motion, direction with purpose . . .

Almost never. All stick-and-ball sports require a proper stance, placing stick and body in optimal positions.

Smooth is a good thing to focus on. It is the number one quality I cultivate in students' strokes. Also, a lot of fine players, including some pro friends, have a stroke with a feel we can describe as tension and potential energy that is released, either to begin the backstroke or on the...