AOyster
Banned
The Image of “pool”
As many of you know I do not frequent forums on the Internet very often. Way too busy to sit still that long but I think this point needs attention.
The image of “Pool”? When you hear the word “pool”, what do you think of? What scene do you immediately have in your mind? Yes I know, this could be the wrong place to get the average answer but I think it is a very important question and one that as we continue to see needs updating/changing.
I travel quite a bit and mostly on planes. The most common/difficult question I receive when traveling is “what do you do? I have learned over time not to answer this one too quickly. Unfortunately, I have learned to “feel out” the person asking and learn a bit more about them. My first response is usually “I teach a sports psychology kinematics course” This always gets their attention, which always begs for an elaboration.
The conversation frequently continues with my adding “The course is based on the Cueing Arts” The eyebrows raised and the seat returns to its upright position. I expand and the conversation carries forward at over 500 mph. This next step is the hardest. Explaining the Cueing Arts. Yes, the word “pool” is held back as long as possible and sometimes it is the only word to clarify. “pool” Even the simple act of demonstrating the air stroke and bridge isn’t enough.
We all agree that this word immediately creates an image that is unfortunately for the most part “negative”. By this I sincerely mean the image of pool to most, (players and non-players alike) is that of smoking, gambling, drugs, fighting, bars, drinking, etc. Just one word says all this. Even the word “pool” is built around gambling. Bar players pooling their money.
As for the end of the conversations with my new altitude friends, the story quite frequently ends with a smile and the sounds of “do you have a card?” just after the “welcome to ______airport”.
One flight I remember actually giving a short lesson on the flight in the aisle when the first class flight attendant announced who was is seat 2A. This one I will never forget, not because of the scene, because my mailbox was full of messages from the flight that evening and not one message with the word “pool”. This was all made possible by my introducing myself as a Cueing Arts professional instructor.
Why then is the nature and status of the “IP(pool)T” in doubt? I would have to suggest that the name has a lot to do with it. Anyone agree? Getting a national network to air “pool” most likely will never happen and we all know this is the solution to the ultimate growth of professional billiards.
I have experienced conversations go from “hello” (smile) to “pool” (frown) in a matter of seconds and scenarios above that lead to great students. I don’t feel that this game/art we all love should continue with this negative image of the past. It is time for a change.
As many of you know I do not frequent forums on the Internet very often. Way too busy to sit still that long but I think this point needs attention.
The image of “Pool”? When you hear the word “pool”, what do you think of? What scene do you immediately have in your mind? Yes I know, this could be the wrong place to get the average answer but I think it is a very important question and one that as we continue to see needs updating/changing.
I travel quite a bit and mostly on planes. The most common/difficult question I receive when traveling is “what do you do? I have learned over time not to answer this one too quickly. Unfortunately, I have learned to “feel out” the person asking and learn a bit more about them. My first response is usually “I teach a sports psychology kinematics course” This always gets their attention, which always begs for an elaboration.
The conversation frequently continues with my adding “The course is based on the Cueing Arts” The eyebrows raised and the seat returns to its upright position. I expand and the conversation carries forward at over 500 mph. This next step is the hardest. Explaining the Cueing Arts. Yes, the word “pool” is held back as long as possible and sometimes it is the only word to clarify. “pool” Even the simple act of demonstrating the air stroke and bridge isn’t enough.
We all agree that this word immediately creates an image that is unfortunately for the most part “negative”. By this I sincerely mean the image of pool to most, (players and non-players alike) is that of smoking, gambling, drugs, fighting, bars, drinking, etc. Just one word says all this. Even the word “pool” is built around gambling. Bar players pooling their money.
As for the end of the conversations with my new altitude friends, the story quite frequently ends with a smile and the sounds of “do you have a card?” just after the “welcome to ______airport”.
One flight I remember actually giving a short lesson on the flight in the aisle when the first class flight attendant announced who was is seat 2A. This one I will never forget, not because of the scene, because my mailbox was full of messages from the flight that evening and not one message with the word “pool”. This was all made possible by my introducing myself as a Cueing Arts professional instructor.
Why then is the nature and status of the “IP(pool)T” in doubt? I would have to suggest that the name has a lot to do with it. Anyone agree? Getting a national network to air “pool” most likely will never happen and we all know this is the solution to the ultimate growth of professional billiards.
I have experienced conversations go from “hello” (smile) to “pool” (frown) in a matter of seconds and scenarios above that lead to great students. I don’t feel that this game/art we all love should continue with this negative image of the past. It is time for a change.
) and a new restaurant was opening there. I asked if they were going to put in a pool room/table? You should've seen the anguished look on that lady's face! "A POOL table?!?" she cried, "You can't be serious!" She turned and left as if I had the plague.
