Has anyone coached a friend through their earbuds?

billiards_watch

billiards_watch

Well-known member
Like an offensive coordinator to the quarterback. I think this is one of the most useful tools being used or not used for this type of coaching. Forget the timeouts unless they need firsthand instructions. I don't play in any leagues but I have a friend that does. He's just learning how to play and can pocket balls. I want to coach him through a match on what he should be aiming for his next shot.
 
billiards_watch said:
Like an offensive coordinator to the quarterback. I think this is one of the most useful tools being used or not used for this type of coaching. Forget the timeouts unless they need firsthand instructions. I don't play in any leagues but I have a friend that does. He's just learning how to play and can pocket balls. I want to coach him through a match on what he should be aiming for his next shot.
Click to expand...

That is illegal. That is the point of limited coaches. Depending on the particular rules could be a foul or even loss of game.
 
Ye this is cheating. Play some scotch doubles practice racks where u make the decisions and talk him through the rack. This way he can learn to apply the same process/concepts. But being in his ear while he is supposed to be competing is just cheating. Don't do that, it's scummy af.
 
Black-Balled said:
How much help can someone impart without shooter's view of the table?

Please remember the advice taker needs to be of sufficient skill to be able to execute the instruction.
Click to expand...
Very true.

I think to make it work the coach and player will have to go over specifics that may be lost through communication. Coaches and quarterbacks still have their moments.
 
With all the matches that are streamed these days it should be illegal to be able to listen to anything. Especially gambling matches involving banks, 1P or 8ball. In rotation games there's only gonna be a few coaching opportunities per set instead of each game. I feel like coaching will make a bigger difference from a defensive aspect, especially with players that are more aggressive offensively.
 
Ok, so before you pull the trigger. You and your friend should set up a match between him and whoever for whatever stakes they feel comfortable with. Then throughout the match you constantly provide your insight to your buddy and lets see how the other player reacts.

I'm guessing he won't be all that happy. ...and trust me the disgust won't be driven by your volume.
 
Some tournaments ban listening devices (except for the obvious exception).

Black-Balled said:
How much help can someone impart without shooter's view of the table?

Please remember the advice taker needs to be of sufficient skill to be able to execute the instruction.
Click to expand...
In my experience watching league matches that allow time outs for coaching, the coaching generally leads to a worse result. I think we even see some of that in the Matchroom doubles events.
 
Why not just coach him through a bunch of racks before the league games? I mean, what's the point, to make him a better player or cheat at a league game for big $$$$?
 
I have played in Scotch Doubles events with asorted rules regarding coaching. Even one that didn't allow ear buds or headphones. Of course my hearing aids could attach to my phone. 🤷‍♂️ Other events restricted or even barred coaching.
My experience was that unrequested coaching was distraction and a big mistake. So my position is let them talk. The no conference rules definitely helped the weaker players. 😉
 
billiards_watch said:
Very true.

I think to make it work the coach and player will have to go over specifics that may be lost through communication. Coaches and quarterbacks still have their moments.
Click to expand...

Bob Jewett said:
Some tournaments ban listening devices (except for the obvious exception).


In my experience watching league matches that allow time outs for coaching, the coaching generally leads to a worse result. I think we even see some of that in the Matchroom doubles events.
Click to expand...
Agreed... Like I always said to a third party providing game-related commentary to my opponent (in this example, we're an even matchup):
If you're gonna tell him what to shoot I'm gonna have to give him the 8.
 
Bob Jewett said:
In my experience watching league matches that allow time outs for coaching, the coaching generally leads to a worse result. I think we even see some of that in the Matchroom doubles events.
Click to expand...
That is interesting. I guess at the top level it makes sense because the guy is a world class player with his own game already, but in league??? Weird.

I don't do leagues, but I was a part of a side bet once where the bet was that I could 'caddy' for a weaker player and have him beat a guy that was destroying him. The guy was a decent shot but a terrible decision maker. If I had to put an SL ranking on the two I'd say they were about weak4 vs 5, but the 5 was owning his buddy. As far as shooting ability, they were evenish imo, but the weaker player just sold out and gave games away with head scratcher decisions. Simply by having the guy abandon his hit the easy balls first and pray later approach and saving some connected ball patterns for ends of racks, maybe a safety instead of a bank here and there, my guy won 7-1 in 8ball...and it woulda been 7-0 if he hadn't dogged the 8b 3 times in one rack.

So ye, I'm sure that just basic strategic/shot choice advice over earphones would improve a relatively inexperienced player, I just think that trying this in competition deserves a parking lot brawl.
 
Last edited:
This has the makings of a great comedy sketch.
"Make the one ball in the side pocket. You missed. That's ok."
"Make the three ball in the corner pocket. You missed. That's ok."
"Use a little low left english with enough speed to make the ball and come two rails to the other end of the table. You missed. That's ok."
 
Groucho had it right! The comedians were playing a baseball game against the actors. Groucho was elected captain of the comedians. Milton Berle was first up at bat. Groucho told him to hit a home run. Berle struck out and Groucho stomped off the field. "I can't coach people who won't follow instructions!"

Hu
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top