For Pro Players Who Post or Browse This Forum PLEASE READ

[pete-biker]

Ok, one more idea.

What about general place to make questions for pros about game? And then the first one to be on-line answers on that. So no more all questions to one exact, but general questions to all of them.

 

[Williebetmore]

Ok, one more idea.

What about general place to make questions for pros about game? And then the first one to be on-line answers on that. So no more all questions to one exact, but general questions to all of them.

Biker-man,
Hey, EXCELLENT idea!!

 

[Matt_24]

When I was at Jimmy Reid's house we briefly discussed the stance. Honestly, watch all of the greats. There is no ONE stance that work's perfectly for everyone. The KEY is that your body is properly in line with the shot. Examples of the various stances are better shown in person...but as far as foot placement, you just want to evenly distribute your weight....or in other words, if it feels ODD...then you know you are doing something wrong. Also, your stance will vary depending upon the shot. You just have to know how to find the line.

When I first started the lesson with Jimmy, he had me just run balls and he watched. My fundamentals were good in everything except for one particular shot. I wasn't getting in proper line with the shot. I didn't really know what the "line" was, as I did everything just kind of naturally. He showed me how to make sure I was in-line everytime. This one little technique (so little, but so big) he showed me - I started applying to the type of shot he found fault in, and also started ensuring I was doing this on every shot. After that I found my pocketing ability (which was already pretty good) went up dramatically. Obviously getting into your stance coincides with your pre-shot routine. Think that isn't important as well??

A pool instructor could probably devote an entire chapter to the importance of a pre-shot routine. Ok, I'll quit rambling.

 

[TheOne]

You wouldn't like it...but a ring game w/ the 3 of us? I'm in!

hmm, 3 player ring game, sound fair!?

 

[Timberly]

The fact that so many posters complain about the forum bashers suggests to me that this forum is a bit too free-wheeling and could use more oversight. We're letting the bashers and trolls ruin this for everyone.

"More oversight"? You'd never see me here again if that were the case.

The problem lies when the player is actually posting. When John came on here, right away some jerk started in on him about something. He defended himself and they both went back & forth. It's easy to tell the players to ignore them but when you're trying to make a name for yourself and get sponsorship and you've got some jerk hiding behind a screen name saying negative things about you, it's hard to ignore and I can appreciate him and anyone else feeling compelled to defend themselves, even though most of us on here know that the jerk is just that... a jerk.

Most of us on here don't pay these guys any attention and don't believe a 1/4 of what they say. On the flip side, there were a few out there that don't know John and after a troll and his buddies continued, some unknowing folks decided to believe the troll even though John and those that know John were defending him.

I like the idea of a general ask the pro's forum. I know some guys like Shawn go months and months before they get the chance to sign on and when he does, it's difficult for him to answer all the questions because he really can't type. If there were a forum of just questions posed to them, it might work. The only problem I see is that others on here would feel compelled to try and help out and it would turn into a forum much like the main one and would require too much reading and sorting.

I don't know if it's possible to relegate the controls of a forum where regular members can only start a new thread asking a question and the only people that could reply to the thread would be pro's that were given access to reply.

Or maybe even a forum section where no regular members could post at all. Maybe set up a general email address just for questions, Mike could post those questions in that forum and allow only players the access to actually reply.

I'm not all that computer savvy and I know nothing about the forum software and how much you can relegate to that extent. I'm really just thinking out loud here.

 

[Timberly]

...............tell the truth!

Timbs is tha dope shizzle!

I hope I did not embaress myself with my ebonics. I am much more fluent in profanity.

LMAO, thanks for the laugh (and support)!

You know more of these guys than I do and being a married, employed with a full time job, pro player, you can appreciate what these guys go through in life, let alone here online.

 

[Jal]

....I would also love to hear the pro's opinions on hot topics such as throw, squirt, skid, etc. ....

Well, it would be interesting. But, generally speaking, these are the last people I would rely on for information on these subjects. In fact, their "explanations" would probably just add to the confusion. A lot of the physics is pretty well understood by other than pro-players, and they post here and on other forums quite regularly. And some have many articles available for free.

Besides, if the pros did have something useful to say on this aspect of the game, wouldn't it be just another case of "paralysis by analysis" ? (Although I'm sure many would swoon at the great wisdom they were now privileged to imbibe.)

One area where the pros could be of immense help is with strategy. While I think you generally get pretty competent answers from the regular members when this topic comes up, most of us could probably use more guidance here.

Jim

 

[sjm]

I've got an entirely different slant on this subject.

First, I don't think that we have a right to expect pros to contribute instructional material on the forum on more than a very occasional basis. We are all very grateful that Blackjack often chooses to share instructional and theoretical materials with us, but I'd say that he goes way beyond the call of duty.

Second, those who suggest that pros and instructors aren't already contributing fine instructional material on AZB should have a look at the columns on AZB. On the AZB main page, click on "Columns" and you'll be amazed what a wealth of instructional material there really is on AZB. To me, those columns are where top pros and instructors can be expected to contribute greatly on pool mechanics and theory, rather than here on the main forum.

I feel quite certain that if a few posters suggested to Mike Howerton that a column on stance (or any other pool subject, for that matter) would be greatly valued, Mike would ask one of his many capable columnists to write a column about the topic in which AZB members have expressed interest.

Just one man's view.

 

[Timberly]

On the AZB main page, click on "Columns" and you'll be amazed what a wealth of instructional material there really is on AZB. To me, those columns are where top pros and instructors can be expected to contribute greatly on pool mechanics and theory, rather than here on the main forum.

I have to admit that I had completely forgotten about that. I think we fall into automatically clicking on "forums" that we forget about the other things listed on the main page. Now that you mention it, I remember them. There might even be people that never knew about them because they always head straight to the forums.

Thanks for the reminder.

 

[Williebetmore]

I'm with sjm. I'm grateful for whatever time the pro's want to spend, but doubt they will ever reach a "Silencer level" of posting.

I like Timberly's idea of a forum section that is "troll-free" where pro's could answer questions if they wished to have a little less interaction with the trolls.

Another tack I will encourage would be to make the AZB room at DCC a nice place to hang for the pro's. You can spend some time there and even get to know them a little - it's a win/win situation. Face to face there will be far fewer "troll incidents" (but not zero - for this we may have to designate a Room Goon to pinch the head off of unruly members). It was REALLY nice to get to sit (and play) with pro's like Dee Adkins, Buddy Hall, Sarah Rousey, Alice Rim, Tina Pawlowski, Jerry Briesath, Tom Simpson, Jeanette Lee, Ronnie Allen, Marshall Carpenter, Grady Mathews, Danny DiLiberto, Efren Somebody-or-Other. Geez, anybody else getting anxious to attend DCC 2007??????

 

[Timberly]

It was REALLY nice to get to sit (and play) with pro's like Dee Adkins, Buddy Hall, Sarah Rousey, Alice Rim, Tina Pawlowski, Jerry Briesath, Tom Simpson, Jeanette Lee, Ronnie Allen, Marshall Carpenter, Grady Mathews, Danny DiLiberto, Efren Somebody-or-Other. Geez, anybody else getting anxious to attend DCC 2007??????

And Allen Hopkins, Shawn Putnam, Grady matthews, Freddy the beard... LOL, was there anyone that didn't stop by and hang out?? It's one thing to have someone explain something online, it's another thing to actually see what they're explaining in person and have them help set up the shot/stance/stroke.... We're over halfway there WBM!!

 

[Craig Fales]

Trouble with your stance seems to indicate not putting the proper weight distribution on your legs. 60% of your weight is supposed to be on your back leg with your knee locked. 40% is suppose to be on your front leg with it just slightly bent. In addition, you are suppose to be at a 45 degree angle to your cue. Your legs are suppose to be about shoulder width apart or a little more, and your foot on your front leg is turned forward some towards the end of your cue. You bend at the waist, keeping your back straight, not bent. A good form entails having straight lines to it.

That locked back leg thing is good for people who are shorter in stature...LOLz....tall people like me won't be able to stance correctly...trust me, I've tried....I keep a little more weight on my front leg versus my back...
________

 

[Steve Lipsky]

Ok, one more idea.

What about general place to make questions for pros about game? And then the first one to be on-line answers on that. So no more all questions to one exact, but general questions to all of them.

Something that I've always wanted to ask Mike for was a separate forum called "Analyze the Position". People could post a tricky WEI table position and others could help analyze it for them. I even toyed with the idea of asking Mike for my own column like this, but a) I wouldn't have the time to reply to everything posted; and b) I would want players like Blackjack and SJM (two excellent, eloquent players) to join in as well. And of course there are many other posters who could help make something like this very valuable.

Anyway, if Mike wants to organize a forum like that, I can guarantee that I'd spend a great deal of my AZB time on it.

- Steve

 

[vagabond]

I would want players like Blackjack and SJM (two excellent, eloquent players)
- Steve

I will give them 8-7 and break , race to 4 in one pocket.

 

[Nostroke]

I will give them 8-7 and break , race to 4 in one pocket.

Maybe so but what about eloquence?

You are like me on here-Hit and run- two sentences is too much

 

[Steve Lipsky]

I will give them 8-7 and break , race to 4 in one pocket.

Vagabond, you are now the official "Analyze the One-Pocket Position" guru.

- Steve

 

[PoolSharkAllen]

Hey Steve,
How about a column on 14.1 strategies, which would build upon that excellent thread you opened some time ago on 14.1?

 

[vagabond]

Vagabond, you are now the official "Analyze the One-Pocket Position" guru.

- Steve

it appears that you do not like me as evidenced by your generosity appointing me to a coveted position with heavy responsibility.I decline the offer.I thank you.
I like u eventhough u do not like me.

 

[Williebetmore]

it appears that you do not like me as evidenced by your generosity appointing me to a coveted position with heavy responsibility.I decline the offer.I thank you.
I like u eventhough u do not like me.

V-bond,
Well, at least he didn't appoint you the "Room Goon" to police the AZB room. Is there any chance we will see you at DCC 2007?

 

[Jude Rosenstock]

Something that I've always wanted to ask Mike for was a separate forum called "Analyze the Position". People could post a tricky WEI table position and others could help analyze it for them. I even toyed with the idea of asking Mike for my own column like this, but a) I wouldn't have the time to reply to everything posted; and b) I would want players like Blackjack and SJM (two excellent, eloquent players) to join in as well. And of course there are many other posters who could help make something like this very valuable.

Anyway, if Mike wants to organize a forum like that, I can guarantee that I'd spend a great deal of my AZB time on it.

- Steve

tap-tap.


I agree with this whole-heartedly. The fact is, there are way too many Pro-Rooms that are dormant and a ridiculously broad Main-Forum. It would be nice if things were a little more granular. That way, topics that we might actually be interested in wouldn't be on page-two within 20 minutes!