Everyone looks at any given pool shot in exactly the same way. Players to rail birds. But not everyone SEES that shot the same way. I'm only talking about the balls and the lay on the table, not how to approach how to shoot the shot (different matter.) Seeing ranges from total darkness to crystal clarity. This is one thing that distinguishes mediocre players from great players. Even if you have perfect physical sight, you may still not be SEEING the balls. SEEING the balls perfectly intuitively instinctively is a god given gift. Only the best players have this ability. But did you know that you can be taught how to consciously SEE the balls? "Knowledge is power." It is money, as well. There are some online instructions that "spill the beans" so to speak. The knowledge they reveal definitely can take your game to the next level. But even they will not tell you everything they know. You just need to read many of the posts here to get a glimpse of the attitudes of some people toward other posters. Do you think they would share anything that would enhance your competitiveness to the detriment of their own? And even the personable posters may be reluctant to share the "truths" that they have garnered over the years. Life's lessons usually don't come cheap.
Everyone can look. But only a few can see.
- Thread starter jjohnson
- Start date
This has not been my experience.
Simply going through Dr. Dave's website will get you up to speed.
If you are competing regularly, working at the game, and don't get offered good advice from some of the better players around.... You're probably an a**hole.
People seem to be very willing to help those who are putting in the work.
I agree, this has not been my experience either. I had a friend who was a mathematician and an inventor, RIP Allen. His advice when you had an ideas was to tell everyone. Counterintuitive to most people as they want to keep their ideas to themselves. His idea was to find out whether it's a good idea or not. People will tell you and they don't have the vision that you do. Nor do they have the drive to execute it. Similar in pool, most people are willing to help. And most people are unwilling to practice to execute that knowledge. They just want it to happen automatically without putting in the work. I have found it is much more rewarding teaching players than it is just to beat them. In turn, I create a tougher competition for myself and improve my game in the process. As far as SEEING the balls, some days I can see them so clearly and other there is a fog in my brain. The bottom line is it is all in the brain. Concentration and focus are the keys to great performances.
George the Greek
Well-known member
I went to the Academy of Spherical Arts ( poolhall) and the tuition was alot of my lunch money till I got better grades
LOOK HERE - couldnthinkof01 and jason: neither of you have refuted anything I said. I said that there were instructions available that "spill the beans" that will raise your play to the next level. But that even they do not tell you everything. And I said that many bad attitude players and even personable players won't tell you everything. The former won't because they like taking your money and wouldn't think of helping you become a "dangerous" competitor. And the latter won't tell you everything because they feel they worked too hard too long to just give it away. I don't think there are any of the former that want you to beat them: ever, period. And I said many of the latter won't give it up either for their own reasons: but some do. If it's about the money, everything I said is true. And it is about the money for the professionals, hustlers and many smaller tournament players. And I said you may have perfect physical eye sight which you alluded to but I said even if so, you can still look and not SEE. How do you explain Efren, Earl, Ralf, Corey, Alex, etc. and here we are, most of the rest of us struggling? I say their eye sight is most probably perfect just like most of ours is. Why can't you make shots like them? I say one reason is because they know HOW to SEE which is the most essential and fundamental aspect of the game. My final contention is that you can be taught how to SEE as good as the pros mentioned above. But this is like Ninja secret. No one is just giving this knowledge away or even discussing it that I know of. Ah, that's his name: Sax Del Porto. I saw him and his wife in Kim Davenport's corner at a tournament many years ago. And I heard Sax mentored Cole Dickson in his earliest days. Yes, there are those who share. But only with very special pupils. Like Sax said to me: "You either got it or you don't." I was told many years ago by someone knowledgeable in the sport, that no one becomes as good a Cole so quickly without a mentor. Do you think these mentors share with just anybody? Don't kid yourself.
I don't think seeing is the defining factor when it comes to quality of play.
To me it's much more about creating a reliably repeatable accurate stroke -- the rest follows.
Lou Figueroa
Well, I've put on my gi, fired up a bowl, and opened my mind.
I think I'm ready
First of all, you are changing the subject to "quality of play" and "reliably repeatable accurate stroke." I said, "I'm only talking about the balls and the lay on the table, not how to approach how to shoot the shot (different matter.)" I am not a Bible Thumper but doesn't it say in there some thing like: Those who will see will see. Those who will hear will hear? I am saying: those who will look will not necessarily SEE. And I attempted to explain further in my reply in LOOK HERE to couldnthinkof01 and jason. If one looks and does not SEE, how well do you think they will make shots? An extreme example is like a child. They're looking all around everywhere with an open mind taking it all in but has nothing to say about it, not even a thought about it. (Thank god for mommy and daddy.) That is what I am saying. Although it is not all or nothing. There is a broad spectrum between darkness and the ultimate SEEING. But SEEING is where it starts. This is the fundamental basis. Everything else will depend upon the degree of one's ability to achieve Ultimate SEEING.
You talking about pattern recognition?
I know my chef buddy and I see a different set of things when we look at the same fridge.
The result of exposure and education.
The result of exposure and education.
I have always thought it had to do with the few types of personalities who are most inclined to want to get involved in pool . There is really not a lot of variation when you think of the numbers, who do play for multiple years.
The way I used to tell how involved someone was in the game is to ask them how they were doing, instead of talking about health or family problems or business/job /money related things , a pool player will always say "I can't make a ball ". Or my game is way off, I can only play 40 hours a week, or something along those lines.
Agree with this very much! To me, the two key parts are the stroke and the final focus ability-if those two parts are very strong, everything else will fall into place.
I said, "I'm only talking about the balls and the lay on the table, not how to approach how to shoot the shot (different matter.)" Pattern recognition is a "different matter." I think I should have just said: I'm only talking about SEEING the balls. Not anything to do with HOW they are laying on the table. SEEING the balls laying randomly on the table. Just SEEING. How many of you were taught how to see? None of us. If you are healthy you just see. It's automatic. But you certainly realize that in nature, everything is variable within certain limits. Our brains are not all wired exactly the same. There is subtle variations. Some not so subtle. Our DNA is not exactly the same. We are all human, hopefully, but we are unique. How we see can vary naturally. For instance, perfect vision is 20/20. But some people have 20/15, even 20/10. Could be quite an advantage playing pool or any sport. Cole never wore glasses ever, as far as I know. Keith Thompson? But even with this advantage they may not have "learned" to see. Usually we see naturally. I guess what I am suggesting is any one can be taught and learn how to SEE using their naturally existing sense of vision. Consciously using what you already have. Many of us are undoubtedly perhaps already doing this to a certain extent. I think it can be optimized. There is a YouTube video of Rempe vs. Efren. Rempe makes the absolutely thinnest 7 foot rail cut shot and another video shows Strickland. Happens frequently. If you can SEE the balls, you can too, is all I'm saying. But don't ask me anything more. It's a secret. But I will make a video and you will be able to see me doing it consistently. Maybe not every time but mostly. Artie Bodendorfer one-pocket hall of famer never wrote a book of secrets. Cole? Almost none of the greats did. I think Willie Mosconi did but were they filled with secrets or just the basics? Some did, though. But I think they were the exception. And I am sure they held back much. I think I'm wasting your time now...
I''m not changing squadoush.
You said, "Seeing... is one thing that distinguishes mediocre players from great players."
That's baloney.
And then I told you what I thought was important.
Lou Figueroa
Calvin, a Hard Times Bellflower regular, told me that Cole shot just as good high as straight.
The sport is littered with players who could play sky high.
I played Cecil Tugwell in Vegas and had him beat. He went into the bathroom, came out and could barely find our table, asked which pocket was his and shot lights out.
Lou Figueroa
What you said was more than important: it is essential. It is just not what I am talking about. If you do not have optimized Ultimate SEEING you cannot have as a reliably repeatable accurate stroke as you otherwise could have. It could be good enough if you are satisfied with it. I am motivated to make this video but it could take a few months. I'll do my best.
Seeing is overrated.
I know this from personal experience and, over the years, wearing glasses, contacts, and eventually having cataract surgery. I still know some old guys that can barely see the balls but know where they are and can shoot great.
Seeing well is great but you are overstating things. Good luck with your video.
Lou Figueroa
...final focus ability is most important for execution under pressure. How often one's game completely collapses with weak knees, rubbery stroke and failed mental awareness at contact.