A couple of questions

[longhair]

Hi there, Sarah.

I have two questions for you.
First, what does the crowd look and sound like from the table at a WPBA event? What is the distraction threshhold? whispers? laughing and loud conversation? cell phones? I noticed a range of what people thought was respectful, from complete silence, to loud talking (Steve Tipton). How bad is it when the pressure is on? I know that when I am losing I want to hear nothing and instead I hear everything. Does the music help?

Second, do you ever teach? You met my girlfriend this weekend. She will be in Chicago for most of July and is very interested in having some lessons with you. You can let me know here, or by pm. Thanks so much for your time.

Oh, here's a third question. Who taught you to break? I think you had the most powerful delivery in the room. Your timing is a beautiful thing to see. I have plenty of arm strength, and if I could whip the cue the way you do I would have an awesome break, instead of the fizzle I actually have.

 

[Hustler08]

I would love to see the answers to there questions too, . Also if you guys have a chance look at the confirmation list for 14 and under.

 

[sarahrousey]

Hi Boyd,

It was good to see you again in Peoria. You and your girlfriend are great people. Plus...I remember when you beat me!

These are great questions to ask. I will try to do my best to answer.

First, what does the crowd look and sound like from the table at a WPBA event? What is the distraction threshhold? whispers? laughing and loud conversation? cell phones? I noticed a range of what people thought was respectful, from complete silence, to loud talking (Steve Tipton). How bad is it when the pressure is on? I know that when I am losing I want to hear nothing and instead I hear everything. Does the music help?

Well, from the table we are sitting at I guess the easiest way to explain would be to say it feels like being in a fishbowl. I am always nervous that something embarrassing will happen when the introductions are going on. But from the pool table the crowd kind of disappears. There are some distractions though. If someone right around your table stands up suddenly or if their arms go flailing, that is distracting. The talking isn't bad at all, unless it is way too loud. For me, I can hear people like my parents, boyfriend, family members talking no matter how quiet they are. That is only because I recognize their voices. We are lucky, fans that come to watch are very respectful. I like having the music. It gives a little background noise. Complete silence would be awful. In a pressure situation everything can either go away and you don't notice anything or you can start to notice everything. It just depends on the person. When I was playing my first match in Peoria, against Melissa Morris, I could hear Steve Tipton say when the score was 8-7 "Sarah was up 7-3 and now its about to be hill-hill. That can't be good with all these cameras on her." That was a little distracting.

Second, do you ever teach?

I try to teach. I am not the most qualified teacher as of right now but I hope to be soon. I am going to talk to some accomplished teachers to learn how to teach. Keep in touch with me. We can set up a time to at least play a little.

Who taught you to break?

No one taught me how to break. I came up with that on my own. I did watch one player when I was about 10 years old. He absolutely crushed the balls and I watched how he did everything. So maybe I should thank George Breedlove for coming to the first McDermott Tour tournament at my dad's pool room when I was 10. The break is all about timing. You may be trying to use too much strength and not focusing on the timing. Think about it...it can't be all about strength because some of the smallest pool players, male and female, have the biggest breaks. I will try to help you with it next time we run into each other.

I hope I did alright answering your questions. Feel free to ask if you have any others.

Take care,
Sarah

 

[longhair]

The break is all about timing. You may be trying to use too much strength and not focusing on the timing. Think about it...it can't be all about strength because some of the smallest pool players, male and female, have the biggest breaks. I will try to help you with it next time we run into each other.

I hope I did alright answering your questions. Feel free to ask if you have any others.

Take care,
Sarah

Timing is exactly what I was talking about. But just focusing on timing does not make it work. I think your break shot timing is fantastic. That's why I asked about it. Do you know of any tricks to help get a feel for this?

I have been telling my girlfriend to stay down and not turn her body when she breaks. When she saw the players at Peoria breaking she pointed out that everyone was turning to add power. I was embarrassed. Then we watched a player who turned her body, but didn't get much power from it. I was able to point out how turning shifted her stick forward so that she was hitting the cueball too early, before she had good speed. As far as I'm concerned, this is the reason to learn to break holding still. But if a player can learn to turn, or to use her arm like a whip the way you do, she can get much more snap. Maybe someday....


Thanks for your answers. I'll be in touch about those lessons.

 

[sarahrousey]

Hi Boyd,

I'm sure I have some way to display or explain the timing but I would have to see you in person. I can't think of a way to explain it over the internet.

You are right for telling your girlfriend not to move her body when she is breaking. It is important to learn how to break standing still and then move your way up to breaking harder and throwing your weight into it. That is the best way to practice breaking in my opinion. When I start breaking bad I go to not moving my body and then working my way up. You are right also about people moving their body and getting no power. Too many people think it is the body movement that generates power.

I will let you know if I am going to be in the Bloomington area and you can do likewise for the Chicago area. We can work on it.

Take care,
Sarah