Better Str Pool by Only Executing Somone Else's Decisions

[Get_A_Grip]

With the idea that playing great in straight pool comes with having great knowledge about the game and making the right decisions on what balls to shoot in what order, how to best maneuver the cue ball, how to break-up clusters, etc. Has anyone tried getting a great player to assist them with a game by having the great player tell them exactly which ball to shoot next and where to leave the cue ball for the entire run?

I was just wondering if the average A player had a great player telling them exactly what to do for each shot—including what key ball to leave, what break ball to use, exactly how to break the clusters out, etc.—how many more balls do you think that they would run over their average or over their high run.

I know that in practice it would be extremely difficult, if not impossible, to get a great player to spend the time to focus totally on your game to that level of detail (unless you paid them handsomely…lol). But it really makes me wonder what the average A player could achieve if the only difference was making every shot and doing all of the decision-making exactly the way the great player instructed them to and how the great player would do it.

I really wonder if the level of play would increase all that much if the player didn’t practice the general principles over time, but just executed everything exactly the way the great player advised them. I wonder if the shot selection that the great player would choose based on “their” ability and “their” stroke would be enough to cause missed balls and missed position for the average A player because of them attempting shots or position that they wouldn’t normally try. That brings up a whole different question. Is there really such a thing as the “best” shot to shoot in every situation, regardless of the player (in straight pool)…or is this so dependant on the players unique style and capability that any two great players probably would not consider the same series of shots as the best route to take in all situations.

Not sure what made me ponder of all of this…but thought that I would float it out there for opinions.

 

[Solartje]

for my experience, im new to pool, and on the first day i entered my maybe future poolhall i played the ex national champion in 8 ball. I would shoot the most shots, but as soon as thinking was needed, id always ask him what he'd do, to check if he was seeing things i didnt, and ... 50% of the shots i would do, he would do it different. so yes, there is a big difference in between what a A and a C player sees. not so much between a pro and a A player i think.

 

[bruin70]

the instruction would only be good if the A player were told WHY.

 

[dogginda9]

When I first started playing at the local pool hall, I was nothing more than a good shotmaker with no clue at all of what I was doing. I could only go forward or backwards with the cue ball but make pretty much any shot. The 3rd or 4th game of straight pool I ever played, was against one of the older local good players. During the game, he stopped me and told me to continue on, but only shoot the shots he tells me too. While he's doing this, he is explaining why I should do it. I run 44 and miss a very makeable shot to end the run. This one experience probably had as big or bigger effect on my interest in becoming a better player. It amazed me that just knowledge alone was that important to pool. I became a sponge for information and thanks to a couple of local champions being very open to helping me, I became a much better player in a very short period of time. So, for me anyways, the help of a better players' ideas, made all the difference in the world.

 

[Williebetmore]

I wonder if the shot selection that the great player would choose based on “their” ability and “their” stroke would be enough to cause missed balls and missed position for the average A player because of them attempting shots or position that they wouldn’t normally try.

That brings up a whole different question. Is there really such a thing as the “best” shot to shoot in every situation, regardless of the player (in straight pool)…or is this so dependant on the players unique style and capability that any two great players probably would not consider the same series of shots as the best route to take in all situations.

.

GAG-man,
Let's face it, the amateurs strategy will only take the pro a short way. There are just too many racks (on tough equipment) that require the very difficult shot to regain a very difficult position that will allow a very difficult runout; that the amateur wouldn't even think of trying. I've tried your experiment with a couple of pro's - I can get them through the easy racks; but forget the tough ones.

The other situation (pro telling the amateur what to do) will result in a modest increase in balls run, but a tremendous increase in knowledge.

I read an interview with Mike Sigel who described some sessions he had with Irving Crane. Irving evidently recommended that even the beginning players (if you can consider the teenage Mike Sigel a beginner) try to play like the pro's; with the pro's strategy and shot selection. The quote was something like, "do it my way if you want to learn how to run balls." I wish I could find that interview again.

 

[sjm]

An on-hand expert guide can certainly help with straight pool shot and pattern conceptualization, but can't infuluence execution significantly on the fly.

Running balls at straight pool is about great conceptualization, but also about superior speed control. Even when the balls are going in the pockets, I believe that as many patterns are lost because of poor speed control as poor conceptualization.

In short, an expert coaching you on the fly at straight pool can help, but in my opinion, not that much. Running balls requires an expert level of execution, plain and simple.

 

[pete lafond]

...

I read an interview with Mike Sigel who described some sessions he had with Irving Crane. Irving evidently recommended that even the beginning players (if you can consider the teenage Mike Sigel a beginner) try to play like the pro's; with the pro's strategy and shot selection. The quote was something like, "do it my way if you want to learn how to run balls." I wish I could find that interview again.

I understand that Irving use to tell players if they wanted to learn, sit and watch.

 

[Get_A_Grip]

I read an interview with Mike Sigel who described some sessions he had with Irving Crane. Irving evidently recommended that even the beginning players (if you can consider the teenage Mike Sigel a beginner) try to play like the pro's; with the pro's strategy and shot selection. The quote was something like, "do it my way if you want to learn how to run balls." I wish I could find that interview again.

That is interesting and I've always thought something similar. Many people tell beginners not to use too much english when their starting out. I've always thought that if you start out using a lot of english and also try to emulate the shots you see the pros making...your mastery of using english and advanced techniques will progress as you gain more experience and you will end-up a much better player in the end. If you keep attempting shots using english (especially inside english that most people tend to have trouble with or all varieties of extreme english)...eventually you will master making the shots with a lot of english, while the person that started out not even trying to use english or attempt difficult shots or leaves will be far behind.