If I had a dollar...

[sixpack]

For every time someone said to me-"I make balls like a 'B' player, but I have the knowledge of an 'A' player" I'd be...er....wait a second, I do have a dollar for every time I've heard that

I don't think it's possible to really have that knowledge without being able to pocket balls at a high level. What do you think?

 

[Roll-Off]

For every time someone said to me-"I make balls like a 'B' player, but I have the knowledge of an 'A' player" I'd be...er....wait a second, I do have a dollar for every time I've heard that

I don't think it's possible to really have that knowledge without being able to pocket balls at a high level. What do you think?

I disagree. The Master instructor I know (Who must have "A" knowledge) hits balls like a B player. In his mind he probably thinks he's an A player, but we all know better.

 

[Cornerman]

For every time someone said to me-"I make balls like a 'B' player, but I have the knowledge of an 'A' player" I'd be...er....wait a second, I do have a dollar for every time I've heard that

I don't think it's possible to really have that knowledge without being able to pocket balls at a high level. What do you think?

I agree, for the most part.

It's the same as when people say "I know what to do, I just can't execute it." This might be true to a point, it's not anywhere near 100% true. You can't possibly know what the possibilities are if you can't execute them.


UNLESS... you were at that level and somehow have physically deteriorated through age or simply lack of play.

Now coaching, on the other hand, is a different ballgame. A good coach should be able to tell what his player is capable of doing and should be able to "know what he should do" based on that capability.

Fred <~~~ B player with the knowledge of a C player

 

[rokudan]

Strongly disagree. Just because someone does not have the motor skills needed to perform a particular function, be it pool, or throwing a punch, does not mean they do not have the knowledge of how it is supposed to be done correctly.

 

[Williebetmore]

I don't think it's possible to really have that knowledge without being able to pocket balls at a high level. What do you think?

quarterofacase,
I HOPE its possible, because I've studied 14.1 like a freakin' maniac, but my ball pocketing leaves something to be desired. I definitely think that stroke mechanics and knowledge (of the strategy and physics of the game) are 2 different things that CAN be mastered separately.

Having said that, I like most responders so far, think it occurs less frequently than we all hear. I do believe though that there are some great instructors in many sports who were only below-average players at best - Chuck Noll, Leo Durocher, Tommy Lasorda, Casey Stengel, David Ledbetter, Tom Landry, etc.

 

[Snapshot9]

What's that old joke

Men who lose hair in the front,
Men who lose hair in the back,
and Men who lose hair front and back ....

apply to Pool ...

 

[BRKNRUN]

For every time someone said to me-"I make balls like a 'B' player, but I have the knowledge of an 'A' player" I'd be...er....wait a second, I do have a dollar for every time I've heard that

I don't think it's possible to really have that knowledge without being able to pocket balls at a high level. What do you think?

Look at it from this perspective...I have seen guys that pocket balls like A players but have the knowledge of a B player....Does that make them an A player???

I believe your origonal statement should just be re-worded a little by these players. They should say something like..."I have the knowledge and ball pocketing skill of an A player, but the consistency of a B player"

 

[mnShooter]

I disagree. The Master instructor I know (Who must have "A" knowledge) hits balls like a B player. In his mind he probably thinks he's an A player, but we all know better.

I really cannot trust any instructor that cannot play at a descent level. If they can't teach themselves how to play they are either blind or don't have the knowledge in the first place. Either way I wouldn't waste my money on them.

 

[BRKNRUN]

I really cannot trust any instructor that cannot play at a descent level. If they can't teach themselves how to play they are either blind or don't have the knowledge in the first place. Either way I wouldn't waste my money on them.

What is a decent level?

There are Players and there are Teachers...most players can't teach a lick and when you ask them how to do something, the patent anwer is "I don't know, it's just feel".....or they say "I do it like this"... but can't communicate the "why and how" behind it.

You have to learn how to teach just like you have to learn how to play....If you are a person that has dedicated themselves to teaching, and improving your teaching techniques...you probably are not going to have the time to improve your actual game to the same level as someone that just plays but does not teach..... (there are exceptions to the rule)

I don't care how good or bad someone plays....If they are a student of the game...I may be able to learn something from them that I did not already know....

 

[DaveK]

quarterofacase,
I HOPE its possible, because I've studied 14.1 like a freakin' maniac, but my ball pocketing leaves something to be desired. I definitely think that stroke mechanics and knowledge (of the strategy and physics of the game) are 2 different things that CAN be mastered separately.

Having said that, I like most responders so far, think it occurs less frequently than we all hear. I do believe though that there are some great instructors in many sports who were only below-average players at best - Chuck Noll, Leo Durocher, Tommy Lasorda, Casey Stengel, David Ledbetter, Tom Landry, etc.

drinkalot,

I agree that technique and knowledge are different, otherwise I could not be a legend in my own mind. Your comments on coaches confirms the premise.

Dave

 

[Williebetmore]

drinkalot,

I agree that technique and knowledge are different, otherwise I could not be a legend in my own mind. Your comments on coaches confirms the premise.

Dave

DaveK,
This is unrelated to the topic, but you must be the funniest, freakin' guy in Canada. EVERY time I read one of your posts I end up snorting some kind of liquid out my nose onto my work/clothing/keyboard/etc. Please stop, because people are starting to look at me funny.

P.S. - I've only been to Saskatoon once (goose hunting), but if I'm ever back there ("running off to Saskatoon" as Burton Cummings would say) we need to play. You would fit right in here in Betmore's Basement. If you didn't live 3 million miles away from everything I would suggest you make it down for the Derby City Classic.

 

[Brian in VA]

Instructor Knowledge

I really cannot trust any instructor that cannot play at a descent level. If they can't teach themselves how to play they are either blind or don't have the knowledge in the first place. Either way I wouldn't waste my money on them.

Respectfully, I submit that if everyone thought like that, most would never get any better. Few people, I daresay one or two in a million, have the ability to see and understand what they are doing wrong, translate it into a solution and apply the solution effectively to themselves. And the time it takes to do so is huge.

Ben Hogan, arguably one of the finest strikers of a golf ball, said that he accomplished it through sheer force of will and trial and error. And still felt he only hit about 25% of all shots perfectly. Jack Nicklaus and Tiger Woods, the two greatest of all time have instructors to help them. (How many strokes a side do you think they'd have to give their instructors?) Harvey Penick, a terrific instructor, was quite old and infirmed and still giving lessons to Tom Kite and Ben Crenshaw but could no longer play himself. Earl Weaver, manager of the Orioles, was a horrible minor league ball player who made it to the HOF as a coach / manager. Jim Palmer used to say the only thing Earl knew about major league pitching is he couldn't hit it.

Failing to open one's mind to learning from any and every available resource is the first step to failure.

Just my opinion, I could be wrong.
Brian in VA

 

[Mike B.]

Isn't part of becoming an "A" player, (or improving to the next level), the ability to execute and then execute consistently?