For Pro Players Who Post or Browse This Forum PLEASE READ

[cuetechasaurus]

I know there are quite a few pros who either post or just browse on this forum, like Grady, Keith, Freddy, Danny H., Thorsten, sometimes Earl and Archer, and John Schmidt.

Well it seems like the 'Ask the Pros' section is completely dead. Only rarely do they ever respond to threads made in their sections. I gave up asking for advice there because I never got any responses. On the one occasion I did get a response, it was very vague and didn't help at all.

I think I speak for all of us, that I am asking if you guys could participate in threads more often that involve us learning the game. Like when someone asks a question on how to get shape, or they have an issue with the stance, etc. It would be awesome if at least one or two of you great players could give your advice and help some people out. Most of the time you tell stories, and they are very entertaining. But I wish you could at least partially spend some of the time you are on this forum helping others. I for one would love to see even one professional player offer his advice on how to execute a shot. I know some of you are busy, but some of you also post quite often, but again, it's mainly just stories. I would also love to hear the pro's opinions on hot topics such as throw, squirt, skid, etc.

Often when someone asks a question like how to get shape on a certain shot, or about the stance, etc., alot of regular forum posters will chime in and offer their advice, and almost all of them give a different answer. This leaves many people confused, especially since alot of the regular posters who answer aren't very good themselves (many have admitted it). I think that if a pro were to answer, that would be the best advice since you guys know so much more about it.

Me for instance, I am experiencing trouble with my stance. I am having trouble staying balanced, and it's having a bad effect on my stroke. I don't jump up off the shot at all, but my body rocks back and forth, and I sense movement, as if I can't keep myself steady. Any advice would be well appreciated.

For those that are willing to help us more often, I thank you so much for your time. I am trying to be as humble as possible asking you guys to do this favor.

 

[PoolSleuth]

Believe Grady is gone on Vacation, but he answer e-mails... HINT.

 

[CaptainHook]

I know there are quite a few pros who either post or just browse on this forum, like Grady, Keith, Freddy, Danny H., Thorsten, sometimes Earl and Archer, and John Schmidt.

Well it seems like the 'Ask the Pros' section is completely dead. Only rarely do they ever respond to threads made in their sections. I gave up asking for advice there because I never got any responses. On the one occasion I did get a response, it was very vague and didn't help at all.

I think I speak for all of us, that I am asking if you guys could participate in threads more often that involve us learning the game. Like when someone asks a question on how to get shape, or they have an issue with the stance, etc. It would be awesome if at least one or two of you great players could give your advice and help some people out. Most of the time you tell stories, and they are very entertaining. But I wish you could at least partially spend some of the time you are on this forum helping others. I for one would love to see even one professional player offer his advice on how to execute a shot. I know some of you are busy, but some of you also post quite often, but again, it's mainly just stories. I would also love to hear the pro's opinions on hot topics such as throw, squirt, skid, etc.

Often when someone asks a question like how to get shape on a certain shot, or about the stance, etc., alot of regular forum posters will chime in and offer their advice, and almost all of them give a different answer. This leaves many people confused, especially since alot of the regular posters who answer aren't very good themselves (many have admitted it). I think that if a pro were to answer, that would be the best advice since you guys know so much more about it.

Me for instance, I am experiencing trouble with my stance. I am having trouble staying balanced, and it's having a bad effect on my stroke. I don't jump up off the shot at all, but my body rocks back and forth, and I sense movement, as if I can't keep myself steady. Any advice would be well appreciated.

For those that are willing to help us more often, I thank you so much for your time. I am trying to be as humble as possible asking you guys to do this favor.

Good idea. I noticed also that the Pro section was dead.
Jenn B. Is the only one I have had return posts. She is very nice.
That would be great if Earl and Archer posted, with all that experience they have.

 

[PoolSharkAllen]

It's a good idea in principle. However, I think that one of the biggest limitations of this forum is that "shared knowledge" gets lost almost immediately. Many questions and comments that are asked are actually repeats of previous questions and comments that were previously answered or commented upon.

What would be useful is for this forum to come up with a better way to retain this expertise in a central location so that people can reference it easily. As an example, I recently came across a thread opened by Steve Lipsky several months ago on 14.1 strategies, in which many valuable comments were made on how to improve one's straight pool game. This type of knowledge is extremely valuble. It would be beneficial to other forum memberrs if it were retained in a central location for others to easily reference it.

 

[gromulan]

I know there are quite a few pros who either post or just browse on this forum, like Grady, Keith, Freddy, Danny H., Thorsten, sometimes Earl and Archer, and John Schmidt.

Well it seems like the 'Ask the Pros' section is completely dead. Only rarely do they ever respond to threads made in their sections. I gave up asking for advice there because I never got any responses. On the one occasion I did get a response, it was very vague and didn't help at all.

I think I speak for all of us, that I am asking if you guys could participate in threads more often that involve us learning the game. Like when someone asks a question on how to get shape, or they have an issue with the stance, etc. It would be awesome if at least one or two of you great players could give your advice and help some people out. Most of the time you tell stories, and they are very entertaining. But I wish you could at least partially spend some of the time you are on this forum helping others. I for one would love to see even one professional player offer his advice on how to execute a shot. I know some of you are busy, but some of you also post quite often, but again, it's mainly just stories. I would also love to hear the pro's opinions on hot topics such as throw, squirt, skid, etc.

Often when someone asks a question like how to get shape on a certain shot, or about the stance, etc., alot of regular forum posters will chime in and offer their advice, and almost all of them give a different answer. This leaves many people confused, especially since alot of the regular posters who answer aren't very good themselves (many have admitted it). I think that if a pro were to answer, that would be the best advice since you guys know so much more about it.

Me for instance, I am experiencing trouble with my stance. I am having trouble staying balanced, and it's having a bad effect on my stroke. I don't jump up off the shot at all, but my body rocks back and forth, and I sense movement, as if I can't keep myself steady. Any advice would be well appreciated.

For those that are willing to help us more often, I thank you so much for your time. I am trying to be as humble as possible asking you guys to do this favor.

How do you stand currently? It's hard to answer the question without knowing that. Generally I would recommend having a wide stance that is set up square to the shot you're facing. Allison and Karen are perfect examples of this. In fact, if you're looking for an effective stance, you can't do much better than copying theirs.

 

[Perk]

.

What would be useful is for this forum to come up with a better way to retain this expertise in a central location so that people can reference it easily. As an example, I recently came across a thread opened by Steve Lipsky several months ago on 14.1 strategies, in which many valuable comments were made on how to improve one's straight pool game. This type of knowledge is extremely valuble. It would be beneficial to other forum memberrs if it were retained in a central location for others to easily reference it.

It takes work on the part of someone or a moderator. But on a poker forum that I am a regular on, there is a person that creates a monthly post that archives links to threads that month that were very beneficial. For example if there was a very long thread with great ideas about your stance, or stance issues it would be listed in the monthly post and linked as STANCE THREAD or some name that would easily be pulled in the search function.

Using this idea or something close to it, a person could search AUGUST 06 ARCHIVED and pull the post that links the top posts of that month. And people could get the more popular posts by topics of their interest.

Just a thought.

 

[TX Poolnut]

The problem with this and every other forum is that there are so many trolls that will bash away at a big "name" for no reason that it really makes you wonder why any pro at all would post. If I were Archer, why would I waste my time going on a forum knowing good and well what has happened to other pros who have come on. BASH, BASH, BASH. Cuetech, this is the reason why they stay off and who could blame them? I check Charlie Bryants forum room almost daily for new questions for him and haven't seen anything posted for him in almost a month. Is he suppose to make up questions?

If I were one of them, the only thing I would agree to is the moderated chat room. That's it.

 

[Blackjack]

In pool halls I have been interrupted during my instruction by a "passer by", usually these people are league players that feel compelled to freely give my student novice advice and instruction. I'm sure Scott Lee has had this happen to him as well. Sometimes you can't shut these people up, I've resigned myself to allowing them to say what they have to, then I proceed to start all over.

The same thing happens on the internet. When someone asks for stroke advice in a forum, they will receive as many different answers as there are forum members. It gets quite confusing, and some of the people that ask this advice inadvertantly start a war of words between forum members that don't share the same views on the subject. Some people know what they are talking about on the subject, some people don't know what they are talking about. Some people enjoy pointing that out. lol.

Some pros are not well versed in explaining what they do and why. They don't get wrapped up in all of the specifics - they just go out there and do it - some have the gift of phenomenal natural ability and devastating pin point accuracy. They are gifted individuals that are more than likely to forget mistakes and move forward than to stall and overanalyze the occurrence until it wears them out mentally.

Since Mike has added the chat feature back to the forum, I have contempleted whether or not to use that to offer my advice, and I have decided against it. To be honest, there are several instructional topics that I refuse to participate in, mainly because after 10 years of internet pool forum experience I recognize a landmine when I see one. A lot of the time I will communicate my advice in a PM, telephone conversation, or I will provide a free book excerpt privately. I have found that this works best to provide better communication on both ends.

 

[PoolSharkAllen]

It takes work on the part of someone or a moderator. But on a poker forum that I am a regular on, there is a person that creates a monthly post that archives links to threads that month that were very beneficial. For example if there was a very long thread with great ideas about your stance, or stance issues it would be listed in the monthly post and linked as STANCE THREAD or some name that would easily be pulled in the search function.

Using this idea or something close to it, a person could search AUGUST 06 ARCHIVED and pull the post that links the top posts of that month. And people could get the more popular posts by topics of their interest.

Just a thought.

Yes, a moderator would have to get involved at some point. I could see where there could be subcategories for various knowledgebase threads, like Straight Pool, 8-ball, 9-ball, One Pocket, et cetera.

The advantages of this include the following:
- Expertise is retained in a central location that is easily accessible
- Less repetetion in people asking the same questions, not to mention the time saved in having experts answer the same questions over and over.
- This can enhance the value of AZB site tremendously.

 

[Jude Rosenstock]

Yes, a moderator would have to get involved at some point. I could see where there could be subcategories for various knowledgebase threads, like Straight Pool, 8-ball, 9-ball, One Pocket, et cetera.

The advantages of this include the following:
- Expertise is retained in a central location that is easily accessible
- Less repetetion in people asking the same questions, not to mention the time saved in having experts answer the same questions over and over.
- This can enhance the value of AZB site tremendously.

Actually, I think your game-catagorization idea is great! I think it's better than having the pro-section.

 

[TheOne]

As others as stated the problem is the bashing. I've learnt the hard way, but on a few infamous occassions I have been dragged into a debate with other users who only have knowledge of one side of the argument. There's nothing wrong with having a strong opinion, I'm pretty guilty of that but often its a B player who has never been in the position discussed!

I think the recent "Gambling doesn't help your game thread EVER!" was an excellent example of this.

 

[Jude Rosenstock]

As others as stated the problem is the bashing. I've learnt the hard way, but on a few infamous occassions I have been dragged into a debate with other users who only have knowledge of one side of the argument. There's nothing wrong with having a strong opinion, I'm pretty guilty of that but often its a B player who has never been in the position discussed!

I think the recent "Gambling doesn't help your game thread EVER!" was an excellent example of this.

Why, did you wanna gamble, sir?

 

[Williebetmore]

In pool halls I have been interrupted during my instruction by a "passer by", usually these people are league players that feel compelled to freely give my student novice advice and instruction.

BJ,
At the 2006 DCC some of us were treated to an improptu lesson in the AZB room - Jerry Briesath giving Jeanette Lee a lesson on the breakshot (after an IPT qualifier match where her break was sub-par). Jerry was about 5 minutes into the lesson when he was interrupted (some onepocket.org "roomcrasher"), as some amateur tried to expound on his theories about the proper break technique. Very embarrassing to the members who were just pleased to be able to watch. Fortunately Jerry is used to this sort of behavior and was able to short-circuit the intruder's little lecture. The guy just looked a little puzzled that no one seemed interested in his thoughts on the matter.

 

[PoolSharkAllen]

BJ,
At the 2006 DCC some of us were treated to an improptu lesson in the AZB room - Jerry Briesath giving Jeanette Lee a lesson on the breakshot (after an IPT qualifier match where her break was sub-par). Jerry was about 5 minutes into the lesson when he was interrupted (some onepocket.org "roomcrasher"), as some amateur tried to expound on his theories about the proper break technique. Very embarrassing to the members who were just pleased to be able to watch. Fortunately Jerry is used to this sort of behavior and was able to short-circuit the intruder's little lecture. The guy just looked a little puzzled that no one seemed interested in his thoughts on the matter.

It sounds to me like some instructors need to be more assertive in maintaining control of their lectures or lessons.

Nevertheless, there is an opportunity here for instructors and professionals to share their knowledge with others, and have it retained in a knowledgebase for others to learn from and enjoy too.

 

[Williebetmore]

It sounds to me like some instructors need to be more assertive in maintaining control of their lectures or lessons.

Shark-man,
Yes, there's nothing like a tazer to handle those buttinsky's.

 

[Timberly]

I think I speak for all of us, that I am asking if you guys could participate in threads more often that involve us learning the game.

There's a few things that interfere with some of these guys participating. Some of them do not have a computer of their own. They just lurk here when they're around someone that has a computer.

Another issue is typing. You've got to give them credit for honesty. John Schmidt & Shawn Putnam will be the first to tell you that they can't type. LMAO, it would take either one of them a good 20 min to type everything I've just said.

As mentioned, there's the trolls. You guys really gave John a rash of sh!t because all he did was defend himself against accusations from TROLLS. No one took into consideration that his typing skills are limited at best and that instead of being able to utilize what little computer time he had to be informative, he was instead defending himself. I personally wouldn't blame him if he NEVER posted on here again. Johnny Archers wife... boy you guys were REAL nice to her when she mistook someone using Johnny's avatar as them trying to impersonate him. (Remember, you guys were new to forums at one time also and wasn't aware of the rules of forum life but you sure are quick to NOT give someone else a break ) Shawn Putnam went through it in his forum... LOL, the putz that started that bs got a nice one week slap on the wrist only to come back and insult everyone from Shawn to SJM (which finally got him banned for life).

Another part is that a lot of them are not at home and are busy when they are home. Some do clinics, lessons, build cues, make straight pool videos, practice, and still try to maintain some semblence of a life. Johnny loves golf but has a wife & kid at home... now he's got a min of 4 things tugging him in each direction. Some have wives, some do not, but most of them do not have the time to be online very much.

I said it before when the whole IPT thing came about... people were shocked that so many players didn't know about it. To me, what's more shocking is how shocked people were. A pool player on the road playing tournaments and/or gambling hasn't had much need for a computer. Some of them have never used one and to others it's still a very unfamiliar thing.

 

[CrownCityCorey]

There's a few things that interfere with some of these guys participating. Some of them do not have a computer of their own. They just lurk here when they're around someone that has a computer.

Another issue is typing. You've got to give them credit for honesty. John Schmidt & Shawn Putnam will be the first to tell you that they can't type. LMAO, it would take either one of them a good 20 min to type everything I've just said.

As mentioned, there's the trolls. You guys really gave John a rash of sh!t because all he did was defend himself against accusations from TROLLS. No one took into consideration that his typing skills are limited at best and that instead of being able to utilize what little computer time he had to be informative, he was instead defending himself. I personally wouldn't blame him if he NEVER posted on here again. Johnny Archers wife... boy you guys were REAL nice to her when she mistook someone using Johnny's avatar as them trying to impersonate him. (Remember, you guys were new to forums at one time also and wasn't aware of the rules of forum life but you sure are quick to NOT give someone else a break ) Shawn Putnam went through it in his forum... LOL, the putz that started that bs got a nice one week slap on the wrist only to come back and insult everyone from Shawn to SJM (which finally got him banned for life).

Another part is that a lot of them are not at home and are busy when they are home. Some do clinics, lessons, build cues, make straight pool videos, practice, and still try to maintain some semblence of a life. Johnny loves golf but has a wife & kid at home... now he's got a min of 4 things tugging him in each direction. Some have wives, some do not, but most of them do not have the time to be online very much.

I said it before when the whole IPT thing came about... people were shocked that so many players didn't know about it. To me, what's more shocking is how shocked people were. A pool player on the road playing tournaments and/or gambling hasn't had much need for a computer. Some of them have never used one and to others it's still a very unfamiliar thing.

...............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.

 

[PoolSharkAllen]

Shark-man,
Yes, there's nothing like a tazer to handle those buttinsky's.

Cool idea! If the moderators could give us all Internet tazers, we'd probably zap each other out of existence. Except for Willetbetmore, of course.
LOL.

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.

 

[Snapshot9]

Maybe

I know there are quite a few pros who either post or just browse on this forum, like Grady, Keith, Freddy, Danny H., Thorsten, sometimes Earl and Archer, and John Schmidt.

Well it seems like the 'Ask the Pros' section is completely dead. Only rarely do they ever respond to threads made in their sections. I gave up asking for advice there because I never got any responses. On the one occasion I did get a response, it was very vague and didn't help at all.

I think I speak for all of us, that I am asking if you guys could participate in threads more often that involve us learning the game. Like when someone asks a question on how to get shape, or they have an issue with the stance, etc. It would be awesome if at least one or two of you great players could give your advice and help some people out. Most of the time you tell stories, and they are very entertaining. But I wish you could at least partially spend some of the time you are on this forum helping others. I for one would love to see even one professional player offer his advice on how to execute a shot. I know some of you are busy, but some of you also post quite often, but again, it's mainly just stories. I would also love to hear the pro's opinions on hot topics such as throw, squirt, skid, etc.

Often when someone asks a question like how to get shape on a certain shot, or about the stance, etc., alot of regular forum posters will chime in and offer their advice, and almost all of them give a different answer. This leaves many people confused, especially since alot of the regular posters who answer aren't very good themselves (many have admitted it). I think that if a pro were to answer, that would be the best advice since you guys know so much more about it.

Me for instance, I am experiencing trouble with my stance. I am having trouble staying balanced, and it's having a bad effect on my stroke. I don't jump up off the shot at all, but my body rocks back and forth, and I sense movement, as if I can't keep myself steady. Any advice would be well appreciated.

For those that are willing to help us more often, I thank you so much for your time. I am trying to be as humble as possible asking you guys to do this favor.

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.

 

[Black-Balled]

Why, did you wanna gamble, sir?

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