Getting A Lesson From (Your Choice)
- Thread starter drivermaker
- Start date
I believe that everyone can improve with proper training/instruction and practice. But as the individual reaches his talent potential then the amount of improvement rapidly decreases. And, I do not believe that everyone can play at the pro level. Most people can not play at C level and never will no matter how hard they work at it. It takes more than desire. It takes talent, ability, and the desire to put in a lot of work.
And then there are the "naturals" the people who can excel at a top level because they are born with that ability. The prodigies.
So who do the top pros go to for help with their game? Who does Charlie Williams, Johnny Archer, Earl Strickland, etc go to for help? To get that little bit of an edge that will help them win. I am pretty sure that if the top pros see another top pro developing a bad habit causing him to lose matches they will dummy up rather then tell him how he can play better to beat them.
Jake
And then there are the "naturals" the people who can excel at a top level because they are born with that ability. The prodigies.
So who do the top pros go to for help with their game? Who does Charlie Williams, Johnny Archer, Earl Strickland, etc go to for help? To get that little bit of an edge that will help them win. I am pretty sure that if the top pros see another top pro developing a bad habit causing him to lose matches they will dummy up rather then tell him how he can play better to beat them.
Jake
Jake,
Somewhere between 5 and 10 years ago, Nick Varner had a guy name Hal Nix working with him on his game. Hal was about 90 years old then. I believe Hal and Nick developed a very good rapport and Hal became very aware of Nick's little problem areas and was able to spot them while Nick was playing and then let Nick know about it. Nick was winning everything during that time. Was it attributed to Hal's help or was it all Nick? I think it helps to have someone you trust to rely on to help you iron out some of the wrinkles in your game. I think everyone has little problem areas, even the top pros. JMHO.
Somewhere between 5 and 10 years ago, Nick Varner had a guy name Hal Nix working with him on his game. Hal was about 90 years old then. I believe Hal and Nick developed a very good rapport and Hal became very aware of Nick's little problem areas and was able to spot them while Nick was playing and then let Nick know about it. Nick was winning everything during that time. Was it attributed to Hal's help or was it all Nick? I think it helps to have someone you trust to rely on to help you iron out some of the wrinkles in your game. I think everyone has little problem areas, even the top pros. JMHO.
Re: Instruction
while I agree instruction will not help a person to excel beyond their ability it can help them reach whatever is their potential; if they are willing to work very hard. There may be exceptions but I don't know of any sports endeavor that has as its coach the person who was the best performer in their particular speciality. If instruction (coaching) was not important then high school, college, and pro organizationations would only need to sign recognized talent a tell them to go win. Should pool ever be accepted as an olympic sport then the value of instruction will be recognized and the level of pool will escalate as never before. Unfortunately two reasons top players don't have a coach is they can't afford one and in many cases their ego won't allow for someone telling them how they can improve. This may be due to them never participating in structured sports and being young. The point I would like to make is this: Everyone can benefit from good instruction no matter what their level of play and anyone who feels they have not reached their potential by all means seek qualified professional instruction. My 2 cents-Doug
while I agree instruction will not help a person to excel beyond their ability it can help them reach whatever is their potential; if they are willing to work very hard. There may be exceptions but I don't know of any sports endeavor that has as its coach the person who was the best performer in their particular speciality. If instruction (coaching) was not important then high school, college, and pro organizationations would only need to sign recognized talent a tell them to go win. Should pool ever be accepted as an olympic sport then the value of instruction will be recognized and the level of pool will escalate as never before. Unfortunately two reasons top players don't have a coach is they can't afford one and in many cases their ego won't allow for someone telling them how they can improve. This may be due to them never participating in structured sports and being young. The point I would like to make is this: Everyone can benefit from good instruction no matter what their level of play and anyone who feels they have not reached their potential by all means seek qualified professional instruction. My 2 cents-Doug
OldHasBeen
Tom Ferry
Rackin_Zack-I still don't know IF I'm even allowed to play!
Rackin_Zack - I was the first & original Missouri 9-Ball Champ back in '82. I thought Phil said (at that time) that I wouldn't be allowed to play anymore, once I win one. Let me know if that is still true. Glad to hear your going to take lessons from Mark. I'm sure you will be very pleased. When at Marks, you will only be an 8-minute drive to where I play almost everyday at about 3 pm - The Break in Cahokia. Come on by because I would like to speak to you about my Daughter who I am pretty sure will be going to Mizzou in the Fall. She should be getting "The Evans Scholarship" and we are all looking forward to spending some quality time in Columbia. Also glad to hear you’re an "IT" - maybe we could do some business together and also my Daughter is very good with computers (Graphics). If my Daughter goes to Mizzou, I'm sure I will be spending some time at the local pool hall. I will probably try to find someone to set up an account with so as to be able to fund any of my Daughters financial emergencies that she seems to have a couple of times a week.
TY & GL
Rackin_Zack - I was the first & original Missouri 9-Ball Champ back in '82. I thought Phil said (at that time) that I wouldn't be allowed to play anymore, once I win one. Let me know if that is still true. Glad to hear your going to take lessons from Mark. I'm sure you will be very pleased. When at Marks, you will only be an 8-minute drive to where I play almost everyday at about 3 pm - The Break in Cahokia. Come on by because I would like to speak to you about my Daughter who I am pretty sure will be going to Mizzou in the Fall. She should be getting "The Evans Scholarship" and we are all looking forward to spending some quality time in Columbia. Also glad to hear you’re an "IT" - maybe we could do some business together and also my Daughter is very good with computers (Graphics). If my Daughter goes to Mizzou, I'm sure I will be spending some time at the local pool hall. I will probably try to find someone to set up an account with so as to be able to fund any of my Daughters financial emergencies that she seems to have a couple of times a week.
TY & GL
OldHasBeen said:
Tom, you have PM! Thanks.