I will think what I like -- thanks. I'm not sure why this thread has you on the defensive. I know we have butted heads a couple of times on AZ but I think that's only because I can get so passionate about this game. I imagine you are the same way.
Anyway, I think it would be worthwhile for a student to know if an instructor has only worked with APA 3 & 4's vs. working with top players. I'm certain a good instructor could work with either but I know I wouldn't want to see an instructor that mainly worked with beginners. I think it takes a much more keen eye to troubleshoot issues that more advanced players may be having, whereas with beginners a more cookie cutter approach could be taken. Of course these are just my observations from the sidelines as I am not an instructor, although I'm inching ever so slowly into that direction.
I guess I don't understand why many instructors on this site are so reluctant to reveal the names of the top players they have instructed. Do you have to sign some sort of confidentiality agreement before hand? If I was an instructor I would love to be able to point to my most successful pupil. On the one hand I suppose it could be viewed as prideful boasting but at the same time it seems to be the standard practice in all the other fields except in pool.
I bet most of the greatest teachers throughout human history could all point to that one student that they failed to reach for whatever reason. Sounds like what you are saying is if someone doesn't learn something from their time with you it is always their fault. I think most instructors or coaches would be a bit more introspective than that and wonder if there was something different they could have tried.
They may not be all that relevant in your view but this is the "Ask the Instructor" Forum and I think the questions are all fairly innocuous. If these questions can't be answered, what's really the point of this forum?
Anonymity
There are a lot of people that I work with - and I keep our interaction private. Some are famous - some are not. Either way, most of what I talk about with players goes along the lines of identifying their weaknesses. They need to trust that I will not be sharing their weaknesses (or the things that we have worked on together) with the world. If they choose to share what they worked on and overcame with my guidance, then that is their choice - not mine. As far as famous - well known players - I can give up several names - but that would infer that I had more to do with their success than I actually did. Over the past 25+ years I have been doing this, I have learned to keep all of that in perspective.
Nothing any player accomplishes is because of anything that has to do with me. I don't make their decisions - I don't think for them - and I don't pocket balls for them. It would be great for me to get out there and say that I am responsible for teaching GYK and leading her to multiple world titles - yada-yada-yada - but that is not true - and that is not how this world of pool instruction works. I worked with her briefly over 10 years ago - she worked hard on what we went over - and she made it work for her. Most of what she has learned has been through her father - as well as other fine instructors. I'm just a small part of that knowledge chain. It was up to her to apply that knowledge.
On the same line - most of us have worked with Landon Shuffett either directly or indirectly. To be extremely clear - his only coach is his dad, Stan. Although Stan thanks me and others for assisting him and Landon on their website - I would never claim Landon to be one of my students. Stan, (as well as Landon) are additional links in our ever-expanding chain of knowledge. Scott and Richard are also links in that chain.
There is one ass-clown that was alone in a corner all by himself , claiming to have taught Landon everything - and let's just say that the rest of us would never do that.
Teachability Vs Learnability Vs whether people follow through on it
The number one reason that most players struggle and never overcome their weaknesses comes down to a handful of different factors. The one that I see the most is a lack of commitment. They are willing to pay their money - attend the classes - but they are not willing to do the work involved. This does not mean that they are unteachable - or that they are bad people - it just means that they have a problem with motivation - or laziness - or following through on the suggestions.
You also have people that take one class and never call you back. Sometimes you never hear from them again until you read a post on here where they are still struggling with the same problem they came to me with a year ago. I have no control whether or not a student follows through on training - and I no control where they put that training on their list of priorities.
Can I have done a better job? Always. I think there is always room for improvement - but I won't chase down anybody that is running away from hard work - because that is what it takes.
I'll also add in - that as an instructor - I have people that work with me on my game as well. I completely and totally 100% believe that to be the main reason why I have been successful at this for so long. You have to study - and you have to be accountable to somebody. My recent struggles were alleviated by working with Max Eberle. He's awesome - and I still have a long way to go.
I constantly refer students to Max - Scott Lee - Stan Shuffett - Tony Crosby - Bert Kinister - Randyg - and a list of others as well - and I do it because I know they exercise the same professionalism that I strive for in my classes. Like I said ... I'm just another link in an endless chain of knowledge - and like you - I'm still a student.
