This is an excellent post. I think it is fair to say that there is a definable goal when executing a pool shot. You need to be able to deliver the cue tip to the intended spot on the cb with a cue that moves straight on that line at the right speed. The confusion is that there seems to be many ways to achieve that goal, and what works for one may not work for another. Just look at all the back and forth on follow through, or the competing ideas on grip strength. This was very frustrating to me as I was able to make shots in a variety of ways and I didn't know if one was better than the other. There was no "standard" as their seems to be in snooker. That lead me to purchasing Mark Wilson's book which I thought was excellent. That book led me to believe (because of what it said and also what it didn't say) that some things can be taught while others have to be simply learned and figured out by the player.
I think an instructor can get a student to a certain level of play, but beyond that the player has to figure out some things for him/herself if they want to keep getting better. It's like how you can't explain what the color blue or red looks like to a blind person. You just have to experience it yourself. You really can't show someone what a relaxed delivery of the cue feels like. You have to just figure it out on your own by hitting lots of balls and paying attention. Every once in awhile you'll do it right and if you are paying attention you will have a "Eureka" moment and realize you were doing this or that wrong up to now.
I'm not saying that an instructor can't tweak things or notice bad habits, and can certainly help a lot with strategy and the mental aspects of competition, but the student has to figure out some of this stuff with time at the table.
I took a lesson from Fran many years ago and didn't take more because of travel time, but mostly because I was starting a new business and didn't have time. I remember one specific thing she said that helped me. It was that when you are faced with a difficult shot, that is the time that you have to make extra sure that you hit the shot with as much relaxation as you would hit an easy shot. In other words, be sure not to tense up and change your stroke just because you have a shot that is difficult. That's the kind of thing you learn from experience.
