finding lessons

pooltchr said:
Very good points. One good thing about the instructor network is the instructors often work with one-another as well as with students. I go to Dallas and teach with Randy, and I always learn something. It's possible Randy may even have learned something from me. When Scott Lee is in town, you better believe the two of us will be spending time together at a pool table. Count Bob (Cane) Nunley into the mix as well. We are all instructors, but we are also students, always learning new things, and different ways to help our students. Now if instructors can learn something in pool school, it stands to reason that most all players will gain something from professional instruction as well. But as it has been pointed out before, the instructors have the easy part of the job...we provide the knowledge and information to the student. The student has to be willing to learn, and then work on incorporating that information into his or her game. If the student has too much pride to actually accept the information and apply it through practice, then it becomes a waste of time for everyone.
When the student is ready, the teacher will appear.
Steve
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When we think we are done learning...we are! SPF=randyg
 
Scott Lee said:
tap, tap, tap, David! Well said! I also never 'talk down' to my students, and try to help them to utilize what they already have...THEIR natural bridge, THEIR natural stance, THEIR natural tempo and timing...and only offer ways to improve on what they are already doing! One thing, most people don't know how to practice correctly...and that's a huge benefit for anyone wanting to really improve their game!

Scott Lee
www.poolknowledge.com

Scott Lee
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Scott: Assuming that people are utilizing the correct stance, grip and stroke, could you expand on your comment that most people don't know how to practice correctly? Like most serious pool players, I spend a lot of time practicing, so I'm curious to know what you consider to be the right way to practice? THX.
 
Here is my experience & thoughts about paying top $$$ for quality lessons:

Paid a local guy $20/hr for some basic lessons, learned little. Have read lots of books, bought a couple of vhs lessons, read material online, etc...

Procrastinated on hiring a local BCA instructor (Scott Lee) due to the slightly higher cost. Struggled with flaws in my stroke this past year in league. I finally said "What the hell, I'm going to take a lesson from Scott".

It was well worth it; he helped with the "subtle" things that I may have been doing wrong: approach to each shot, stroke, stance, etc....

After the lessons soaked in for a couple of weeks, I went 4-0 one night, then 3-1 the next week in league....and ended the year playing my best pool. My confidence went up, & my stroke became 2nd nature. I still think about the things that I learned in that 1 lesson; I imagine taking several lessons would benefit immensely. :)
 
PoolSharkAllen said:
Scott: Assuming that people are utilizing the correct stance, grip and stroke, could you expand on your comment that most people don't know how to practice correctly? Like most serious pool players, I spend a lot of time practicing, so I'm curious to know what you consider to be the right way to practice? THX.
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Sure Allen, glad to... Most serious players mistakenly believe that they should practice for many hours every day, or at least whenever they can. The problem with that is that our attention spans are not built for that kind of disciplined response. You can PLAY for hours, but you cannot practice diligently for long periods of time. We tend to get bored, frustrated, or angry...none of which are conducive to learning. Consequently, what we teach is a structured approach to practice. Short bursts, 10-15 minutes at a time (with a 5-10 minute break in between), with very disciplined applications, for specific tasks, and specific, measurable results. So, while you may practice a specific shot or drill for a set number of tries...you don't do the same thing for 100x, or for an hour or more. Fewer tries, but with the same amount of determination and discipline, sustained on each try...as if it was the game shot, for example. A well-defined pre-shot routine and a repeatable stroke are essential before this kind of practice pays off...but it pays off in spades, in the long run. Far more than doing "boring" drills and stuff, or 'just running balls'! At poolschool, you learn a series of 'mother drills', that take just a few minutes to do each one. In between drills, you can relax by just shooting some balls, or playing the ghost, or whatever. I teach my own series of warmups, that, after practicing them, should take about 15-20 minutes to complete. After that, I tell my students to do whatever they want...other drills, run balls, spar with a partner, gamble, whatever. Just do the warmups FIRST, before anything else! Randy will tell you, he practices for about 20 minutes...and that's all! He might then PLAY for a couple of hours, with a partner...sparring, he calls it. This kind of practice is much more suitable and appropriate for the serious (or casual) player, imo, than trying to "practice" for hours on end.

Scott Lee
www.poolknowledge.com
 
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Mother

Mother Drills rock, I do them twice a day. Then of course I pile rocks. Then If I have some more time in the day I shoot a couple games here and there.

I think Mother Drills were dubbed that after all the poeple kept saying Mother F-------. LOL

Ok, but sometimes I get frustrated and that's what I say. LOL
 
txplshrk said:
I think Mother Drills were dubbed that after all the poeple kept saying Mother F-------. LOL
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I like to think that the Mother Drills are what gives birth to your best possible game.
Steve
 
Dear Nick:

I have just posted this in another thread
http://forums.azbilliards.com/showthread.php?t=37198

Just in case, I will copy it here:

Although I can't really help you with teachers, I have something that might be good for you or anybody. Print out some blank table digrams and keep them handy with you. When you come up to a difficult shot or layout you can record them down. This way you have something specific to ask when you consult with an instructor or an advanced player.

Link to some blank layouts in PDF format:
http://cuetable.com/extras.html

Also, if it's handy, try videotaping yourself hitting balls once a while. You may see something interesting.


"I can teach anybody how to get what they want out of life. The problem is that I can't find anybody who can tell me what they want." - Mark Twain
 
i dont wanna repost my experience but I did a full write up of my time with RandyG last year (u can do a search on my name if u want to read it), and all i can say is it was money well spent, i wish Id taken lessons years ago. I always had an knack for pool, but my game was a rollercoaster ride........these guys turned it into a merry go round. You can buy all the books, all the videos, watch the matches, ask better players......i did all that too, but there is nothing like someone right there watching you shoot and videoing it and showing what youre doing wrong and what youre doing right. I gamble some, and these lessons have paid for themselves several times over, in fact im going back for the expert class in october. If you are open to being taught, then take some lessons with randy or scott, you will not be sorry.
 
Gerald said:
If you can't get to Dallas PM Scott Lee and he will probably come to you. Highly recommended and the experience will advance your game and is $ very well spent. Now is the time before you develope too many bad habits!
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I agree completely. Scott is an excellant instructor.
 
Scott's going to be on an East Coast swing. This is worth every dollar/hour you can spend with him. Email him now for his schedule.....SPF=randyg
 
Mother Drills

I was just joking about the Mother Drills, I like your thought though. About how they birth your best game. That is a cool way to look at it.

I agree with all these guys though. Lessons from a good instructor are well worth the money, and worth their weight in Gold!

I wish I would have started taking them sooner too. I would probably already be at a whole other level in my game.

I am addicted to instruction, and I will continue with my training.
 
Lessons

Would help anyone improve their game. Reading books and watching tapes for knowledge is great for adding to your game. When u have someone that is watching u shoot they can tell u if u are out of line . They can help u with ajustments. I am in the same boat as u in away. I am going from a 7ft. table to a 9 ft. table. It really through me off. I knew I was doing something wrong with my fundlementals so I am going to work with a BCA instructor. The only way lessons doesn't help u is if u don't listen to the instructor. Look the pros even go to instructors from time to time. Alliso Fisher wanted to understand 8 ball better so she went to Larry Swartz to learn stragies of 8 ball. Go to the BCA web site and find an instructor close to u. Good Luck.
 
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