Finding an instructor in Europe

M

Macint0sh

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
I was just wondering if anyone had any suggestions about finding an instructor in Europe. I feel that my knowledge is good, as well as my specialty shots. The trouble is that I feel my flawed fundamentals are like a brick wall for my progress, and I'm not willing to give it a few years and 'maybe' work it out myself.

As I've mentioned before, I live in Norway, a place where there aren't any instructors with any real credentials. This means I'll have to get on a plane, get a hotel room etc. Since getting lessons probably means $1000 or more for me, finding the right person to begin with is important.

There are a few names that I've got on my 'shortlist'. Frank Callan, the snooker coach, Ralph Souquet, Oliver Ortmann, Jörgen Sandman and Ralph Eckert.

I know Callan has worked with some players that have become very good pool players, but he is a snooker coach, not a pool coach. If I was a snooker player I'd go see him without a doubt. Then there's Ralph Souquet. He seems like a really nice guy, offers instruction on his website (meaning he probably has some experience with it) and his technique is very good. Ortmann also offers instruction, but I'm not sure if he's the guy I want to be learning sound fundamentals from. The last two names have both gotten awards from the European Pool and Billiards Federation as coaches, but I'm unable to find out wheter they offer instruction to the general public, or if they even coach at all anymore.

I know that there are mainly Americans on this forum, but maybe someone can provide some valuable information.
 
Macint0sh said:
I was just wondering if anyone had any suggestions about finding an instructor in Europe. I feel that my knowledge is good, as well as my specialty shots. The trouble is that I feel my flawed fundamentals are like a brick wall for my progress, and I'm not willing to give it a few years and 'maybe' work it out myself.

As I've mentioned before, I live in Norway, a place where there aren't any instructors with any real credentials. This means I'll have to get on a plane, get a hotel room etc. Since getting lessons probably means $1000 or more for me, finding the right person to begin with is important.

There are a few names that I've got on my 'shortlist'. Frank Callan, the snooker coach, Ralph Souquet, Oliver Ortmann, Jörgen Sandman and Ralph Eckert.

I know Callan has worked with some players that have become very good pool players, but he is a snooker coach, not a pool coach. If I was a snooker player I'd go see him without a doubt. Then there's Ralph Souquet. He seems like a really nice guy, offers instruction on his website (meaning he probably has some experience with it) and his technique is very good. Ortmann also offers instruction, but I'm not sure if he's the guy I want to be learning sound fundamentals from. The last two names have both gotten awards from the European Pool and Billiards Federation as coaches, but I'm unable to find out wheter they offer instruction to the general public, or if they even coach at all anymore.

I know that there are mainly Americans on this forum, but maybe someone can provide some valuable information.
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How about Marcus Chamat? Does he still live in Borlange, Sweden?
 
Jörgen Sandman is a high class instructor who has been working as an instructor for years, he has also visited Finland and there was a group of players taking lesson from him, including me. I think he lives in Malmö, Sweden nowadays. Some background info on Sandman:
http://www.epbf.com/training/Sandman.htm

Alan Bell from the UK is a very efficient intructor, but mainly gives lessons in snooker. Bell has visited Finland several times and he has been working with Stephen Hendry game for instance...
 
Sometimes it's best to seek a Professional Instructor rather than a Professional Player! Some players may not have a clue how to teach, even though they can run xx racks!

Just my .02,
Zim
 
sjm said:
How about Marcus Chamat? Does he still live in Borlange, Sweden?
Click to expand...

I don't know, but I would guess he doesn't live anywhere long nowadays, the world traveller that he is. He would definitely be on my list though, it just doesn't seem like he even has a webpage, so it's kinda hard to find out if he offers instruction.
 
mjantti said:
Jörgen Sandman is a high class instructor who has been working as an instructor for years, he has also visited Finland and there was a group of players taking lesson from him, including me. I think he lives in Malmö, Sweden nowadays. Some background info on Sandman:
http://www.epbf.com/training/Sandman.htm
What would you say his strenghts as an instructor were? Would you recommend him for a player needing instruction mostly on his fundamentals?

Alan Bell from the UK is a very efficient intructor, but mainly gives lessons in snooker. Bell has visited Finland several times and he has been working with Stephen Hendry game for instance...
Click to expand...

Haven't heard of him before. Will check him out.
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
 
And yes, Zim is right. If you want to find a good instructor, don't go with a pro player. Go with a pro instructor. That's why I recommended Sandman...
 
Zims Rack said:
Sometimes it's best to seek a Professional Instructor rather than a Professional Player! Some players may not have a clue how to teach, even though they can run xx racks!

Just my .02,
Zim
Click to expand...

i think its best to find a happy medium between the two. or at least use both. the professional instructor is neccesary for the actual teaching aspect. as where a pro player i would think, could give better insight as to what its like competing on a higher level, how to cope with the pressure, what they are thinking when at the table, etc, etc.

i think both the pro player and pro teacher are neccesary. whether you have to find both, or you find one that is both.

thanks
 
Well, some pros have not discovered all the physical aspects of the game and thus they don't make best instructors. How can you teach something useful if you don't know how things are. For instance, one of the best players of all time suggested that there is no spin transfer to object ball.
 
mjantti said:
Well, some pros have not discovered all the physical aspects of the game and thus they don't make best instructors. How can you teach something useful if you don't know how things are. For instance, one of the best players of all time suggested that there is no spin transfer to object ball.
Click to expand...

Are you thinking of Steve Davis? Or are there more of 'em out there :-)

I'll see if I can find out more about Sandman. If he teaches out of Malmö that is a plus for me, since it's not very far for me to go there.
 
Macint0sh said:
I was just wondering if anyone had any suggestions about finding an instructor in Europe. I feel that my knowledge is good, as well as my specialty shots. The trouble is that I feel my flawed fundamentals are like a brick wall for my progress, and I'm not willing to give it a few years and 'maybe' work it out myself.

As I've mentioned before, I live in Norway, a place where there aren't any instructors with any real credentials. This means I'll have to get on a plane, get a hotel room etc. Since getting lessons probably means $1000 or more for me, finding the right person to begin with is important.

There are a few names that I've got on my 'shortlist'. Frank Callan, the snooker coach, Ralph Souquet, Oliver Ortmann, Jörgen Sandman and Ralph Eckert.

I know Callan has worked with some players that have become very good pool players, but he is a snooker coach, not a pool coach. If I was a snooker player I'd go see him without a doubt. Then there's Ralph Souquet. He seems like a really nice guy, offers instruction on his website (meaning he probably has some experience with it) and his technique is very good. Ortmann also offers instruction, but I'm not sure if he's the guy I want to be learning sound fundamentals from. The last two names have both gotten awards from the European Pool and Billiards Federation as coaches, but I'm unable to find out wheter they offer instruction to the general public, or if they even coach at all anymore.

I know that there are mainly Americans on this forum, but maybe someone can provide some valuable information.
Click to expand...





I have two good friends who live in Norway, either one of which would be a good teacher for you. Their names are Torstein Wik, (trickwik@start.no) and Vegar Kristiansen (ungelovendvk@hotmail.com).
Let me know how it works out.
 
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