Do most Filipino players have formal instruction

D

deanoc

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
dDd Efren have an instructor? bustamonte,alex

Ronnie O Sullivan in England?

Are lessons normal over there

I can not remember ever talking to a good player who talked about taking lesson

from a qualified instructor


I am not talking about players who grew up around an old timeor or even current good players
 
Good question. It would be interesting to learn more about their development as players. I know in the past it was just gamble, gamble, gamble, but I'm guessing that with internet and streaming technology their top players study the game as much as anyone else.

As for top pros not taking lessons, it would be a mistake to think that proves they don't have value to the masses. I'm not sure that's the point you were making but I wanted to comment on this for other readers either way. When a player plays pool and travels the globe for years playing international players every weekend and talking pool with other pros at meals, they learn an awful lot. In a way it's a continuous lesson because I can promise you they are working with each other daily, breaking down stance, stroke, shot routines, safeties, patterns, the break, non-stop. They seek to master every part of their game, even if it's not in the form of a lesson (although many do get formal training). For anyone not doing this full time playing leagues and weekly tournaments in their local pool room, it would be silly to think they couldn't benefit from instruction.
 
Efren and Busti learned on the job.
Efren dropped out of school at 13.
Busti did not finish high school either.
 
JoeyInCali said:
Efren and Busti learned on the job.
Efren dropped out of school at 13.
Busti did not finish high school either.
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From what i see on the 'Pino streams it looks like its the same today. They take the game up to make money and just learn by doing. The best way btw in my opinion. They aren't technical players but have a true artist's touch to their game. I'm sure they get some help when first starting but after that its just staying in constant action.
 
In the Philippines everywhere you look there's a pool table, it's their national game, I've got Filipino friends who work on other stuff/jobs and they also play pool as a hubby, it's their thing, even my gym instructor he's from the Philippines and he always talks about pool.

I've known many people from there over the years and what makes them good players is just playing alot, very simple, I don't think billiards require trainers or instructors. This game absolutely thrives of the time you put into it, you play 7-10 hrs a day, for a year, and watch your progression.

So to answer your question, no they don't have instructors, all they got is gametime, especially since in their there isn't much to do other than playing pool, and if one drops out of school from when he's child, then pool is what will become his job, so he must be good at it, and to do that, he must play alot.
 
Most of filipinos don't have any coaches , we learn it from other good players by watching. Unless you are in a national team then they have a coach.
 
garczar said:
From what i see on the 'Pino streams it looks like its the same today. They take the game up to make money and just learn by doing. The best way btw in my opinion. They aren't technical players but have a true artist's touch to their game. I'm sure they get some help when first starting but after that its just staying in constant action.
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They do get tips from more experienced players.
They shoot different shots over and over again to learn them.

Johan Chua did get formal instructions from a Philippine team coach.
Rubilyn Amit got some education from Efren because they were playing partners in the SEA Games.

There are very few teachers there .
 
There have been a few comments that staying in constant action and learning from experience is the best way to learn versus only formal instruction. I agree, although I think today's yolk have some of each.

The problem I have is if the implied conclusion is that formal instruction isn't valuable for the vast majority of players. IF someone can play full time, gamble 24/7, play tournaments with international players, and spend meals talking with other pros daily for years, that is way better than instruction. But if someone is going to play $20 one pocket, play $10 weekly tournaments on bar tables, do a few drills on their own, and post on AZBilliards, that type of player would benefit greatly from the right instruction. A Ferrari is better than a Toyota, but a Toyota is a heck of a lot better than a bus pass.

I question anyone that dismiss's instruction that hasn't made visible progress towards their pool goals in the last 12 months. If you're happy with the road you're on then stick with what's working, but don't discourage others from making progress by spreading the attitude that if you can't go all in you'll never amount to anything so why bother. For me and many others the goal of pool is to do the best we can with the resources we can devote, and while part time play and instruction will never equate full time commitment we can all walk a road of continuous growth and personal achievement.

EDIT: No one is coming out and saying 'instruction is worthless', but for some reason I keep getting the feel many players see things that way. If you all agree with what I wrote above then we're on the exact same page.
 
Tin Man is right.

Learning by doing alone is certainly one way to get good, even great, at anything, but it's not the fast track and not the most likely path to sustained excellence.

A blend of a) instruction, b) study of and interaction with good players, c) solo practice, and d) competiton and/or gambling, is the fastest track to the highest heights of excellence at the pool table. It is also the method that maximizes your chances of improving no matter your level.

Don't let the fact that many have attained world class level using a different path or formula obscure the truth. Instruction is your best shot with regard to realizing your dreams as a player and will shorten your path to excellence.

For those who already have an instructor with whom they are progressing, stay the course. Others with lofty dreams as a player would be wise to seek out a skillful instructor.
 
sjm said:
Tin Man is right.

Learning by doing alone is certainly one way to get good, even great, at anything, but it's not the fast track and not the most likely path to sustained excellence.

A blend of a) instruction, b) study of and interaction with good players, c) solo practice, and d) competiton and/or gambling, is the fastest track to the highest heights of excellence at the pool table. It is also the method that maximizes your chances of improving no matter your level.

Don't let the fact that many have attained world class level using a different path or formula obscure the truth. Instruction is your best shot with regard to realizing your dreams as a player and will shorten your path to excellence.

For those who already have an instructor with whom they are progressing, stay the course. Others with lofty dreams as a player would be wise to seek out a skillful instructor.
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Why reinvent the wheel
you don’t know what you don’t know
Teaming up with an instructor who has more knowledge and experience than you
He or she can see what pieces of the jigsaw puzzle are missing and guide you in filling in the gaps
As for the Filipinos although they may not have formal instruction but the better players all sort of mentor each other and help each other
Jay would know better since he’s good friends with Dennis and travels to the Philippines often
 
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