If you do, then I recommend getting a copy of Dr. Dave's videos---Video Encyclopedia of Pool Shots. This will give you the understanding needed to make personal lessons more valuable.
Do You Really Think Pool Lessons Will Help?
- Thread starter Tennesseejoe
- Start date
I would think someone who helps correct form, stroke, body alignment issues would be worth it especially early on. You need a good foundation to start from. Beyond that I could not say. Some are great at passing on info that will help you. It can't hurt to try a few lessons and see how it goes.
Tenneeseejoe...I agree that dr. daves VEPC is excellent. However, as Chris Lynch mentioned, you need the direction of a qualified instructor (one who uses video analysis) to help you set up a solid foundation, so that the knowledge in the VEPC can be delivered on demand. The VEPC doesn't attempt to interject that information, but it is available in many forms on dave's site. Still nothing can replace hands on, one-on-one instruction.
Scott Lee
www.poolknowledge.com
Scott Lee
www.poolknowledge.com
it's two sides of the coin. VEPS is a reference guide and in my opinion should end up as one of the iconic works in billiards for all time.
In order to make sense of it though one will need qualified instruction to learn to execute the shots presented.
I spent over two hours working on the center table paths. 25+ years in pool and I never knew this information. It's like magic once you know it, no need to guess or ball park it.
I feel that EVERY instructor should buy and absorb the VEPS and have it on hand to reference as well as sell to their students.
In order to make sense of it though one will need qualified instruction to learn to execute the shots presented.
I spent over two hours working on the center table paths. 25+ years in pool and I never knew this information. It's like magic once you know it, no need to guess or ball park it.
I feel that EVERY instructor should buy and absorb the VEPS and have it on hand to reference as well as sell to their students.
with out question!
Can lessons make you better?
Well of course they can.
There are two criteria that have to be met IOP
1)Knowledgeable instructor who can teach (just b/c you know don't mean you can teach or get your point across)
2)Good student willing to learn, apply and practice
I've said this b/f that pool is the only sport that I really know of that Lessons are somehow kind of frowned upon by the general public. Players scoff at the idea for some reason, and IMOP this is the rule more than the exception.
You take lessons in music, baseball, football, basketball, T&F, martial arts etc...
Hell in the NBA teams pay to have the best free throw coaches in the world work with their players.
I find it silly and highly illogical to even think of letting yourself think that lessons are useless.
The first thing that comes to my mind when someone barks about lessons being useless, is they would more likely than not be a useless student.
Even Doctors keep going to school, long after they have attained that degree.
Grey Ghost
Well of course they can.
There are two criteria that have to be met IOP
1)Knowledgeable instructor who can teach (just b/c you know don't mean you can teach or get your point across)
2)Good student willing to learn, apply and practice
I've said this b/f that pool is the only sport that I really know of that Lessons are somehow kind of frowned upon by the general public. Players scoff at the idea for some reason, and IMOP this is the rule more than the exception.
You take lessons in music, baseball, football, basketball, T&F, martial arts etc...
Hell in the NBA teams pay to have the best free throw coaches in the world work with their players.
I find it silly and highly illogical to even think of letting yourself think that lessons are useless.
The first thing that comes to my mind when someone barks about lessons being useless, is they would more likely than not be a useless student.
Even Doctors keep going to school, long after they have attained that degree.
Grey Ghost
Got a link? I"d like to buy all 5. Is there a pay ahead package deal? Does the az store sell them?
I used to think pros didn't take lessons. Then while struggling to learn to play guitar I read an article that Paul Simon, an amazing guitar player already, took lessons I realized that even the best need help.
It was then I found the quickest way to get better at anything you are trying to be good at is to get help from someone who can teach you something.
It was then I found the quickest way to get better at anything you are trying to be good at is to get help from someone who can teach you something.
Who are the instructors Dr. Dave studied under? What are their qualifications? Do you know if they are available for lessons?
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Good lessons are great for anyone. Bad lessons are not good for anyone.
Lessons are not a must, but it might save you a bunch of time if you are getting the right lessons.
I think that spending time watching players is the best way to learn once you have a solid game. You have to take in new info to learn...
The best way to find good players...Support the pro's attend events around your area go to the workshops, and traveling schools. If you do this for a year you will have your answer, and I'll bet a much better game.
Lessons are not a must, but it might save you a bunch of time if you are getting the right lessons.
I think that spending time watching players is the best way to learn once you have a solid game. You have to take in new info to learn...
The best way to find good players...Support the pro's attend events around your area go to the workshops, and traveling schools. If you do this for a year you will have your answer, and I'll bet a much better game.
Tennesseejoe...Ummmm, it just might be the guy who posted that nugget of information! 
There are a few others who have studied with, and taught with that same individual.
Scott Lee
www.poolknowledge.com
There are a few others who have studied with, and taught with that same individual. Scott Lee
www.poolknowledge.com
Tennesseejoe...Ummmm, it just might be the guy who posted that nugget of information!
Scott Lee
www.poolknowledge.com
I think we all know that the original post was just a testimonial for VEPS. Everyone knows that it is no substitute for lessons.
It is however a great resource for students of the game.
Tom Ross who is doing a lot of the shots IS a great instructor. And in one of the preview videos Dave speaks of Tom allowing him to demonstrate the draw shot after LEARNING the technique from Tom.
As I said before this is two sides of the same coin that compliment each other.
As Jamison said bad instruction is harmful. Or instruction without knowledge is harmful. Knowledge without instruction is harmful.
Ray Martin's 99 Critical Shots is a great book. I read it many times and worked on the shots a lot in my younger years. Some of the shots however were never mastered until I took instruction from teachers who could explain to me HOW to hit the shot, see what I was doing wrong and knew how to correct it.
You can learn a lot by watching VEPS and videos. Then you take it to the table and try to duplicate what you have seen. If you have someone to instruct you who already can do what you are trying to learn and they can see what you are working on then the learning curve is shortened tremendously.
I recently listened to a podcast discussing the natural talent vs. practice debate.
It was pointed out that Mozart wrote his first world class composition at the young age of 21. But up until that point he had 17 years of world class instruction and practice from one of the foremost musical teachers and composers of his day, his father.
John...FTR, dr.dave came to pool school in Dallas in 2003. THAT'S what Randy and I were trying to imply (and answer Tennessejoe's question). Since then dave has had the opportunity to work with a select few other instructors.
Scott Lee
www.poolknowledge.com
Scott Lee
www.poolknowledge.com
Of course I wasn't saying anything different.
My point is that some are taking this as an attack on "instruction" when it wasn't meant to be that way.
Tennessee Joe just had an awkward way of saying that VEPS would be a helpful addition to any instruction a person planned to take. And Dave has also never said anything advocating his information over instruction.
JB...Yep, and I said the same thing in the third post in this thread...as did you several posts later. VEPS is great...get the instruction that will allow you to perform the shots...on demand, under pressure, in ONE try! If we got three tries, we'd all be "Efren"! LOL That's the key.
Scott Lee
www.poolknowledge.com
Scott Lee
www.poolknowledge.com