just got back from cue-tech pool school....WOW!

nipponbilliards said:
I know a guy here who is a student of Randy G but he could not play a radio. He is also not a good instructor. I mean, Randy G is so well known but this guy almost makes Randy look bad by being so inadequate.
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Richard, he's not a professional player, but I'm perplexed by your comment "He is also not a good instructor". He's a great instructor.

1) You two don't speak to each other.
2) You've never taken lessons from him.
3) I know several people who have taken lessons from him, and every single one praised his instructional abilities, his communication skills, his patience, and his attention to detail.
4) He is a "Recognized" level BCA instructor, and his knowledge and instructional capabilities are more advanced than you would often expect from that level of an instructor.

I don't hear people saying "Randy G was amazing. He ran six racks!". I hear them praising his instructional ability and results. Isn't that what matters?

I've had some informal lessons from him and found them to be highly effective. He presented things in a way that was very clear and easy to understand. Not just "how to do" or "what to do" but "why this works well". I saw results.

Some people hire a professional pool player as an instructor. Others seek out a "Master" level BCA instructor, if one is available. I can see the appeal, and that's their choice. There are plenty of very capable and effective "Recognized", "Certified", "Advanced" instructors as well. Within that spectrum of instructors and pro players, some are great instructors and some are not.

Based on my own experience, and since he gets consistently good reviews from others, I have to say he is a great instructor. Since you never took lessons from him, since you two aren't even on speaking terms, and since you are the only person to criticize his abilities to instruct, it seems obvious to me that you are intent of harming his reputation and took full opportunity. Your embellishments of "so inadequate" and "makes Randy G look bad" are laughable.
 
OK, my mind is still open to schooling, I like the way I play, though my fundamentals would not be considered "text book". I play a more "Phillipino" style of game. I've seriously considered going to Grady for what I"m looking for in my game. I can run consistent 50's+ in 14.1, I play what I consider strong 1-pocket. I think I"m looking for a tactical mentor to bring my strategical game up to the next level. Can the pool schools do that?, or should I be looking for a different GURU?.......Thanx....Gerry
 
Gerry said:
OK, my mind is still open to schooling, I like the way I play, though my fundamentals would not be considered "text book". I play a more "Phillipino" style of game. I've seriously considered going to Grady for what I"m looking for in my game. I can run consistent 50's+ in 14.1, I play what I consider strong 1-pocket. I think I"m looking for a tactical mentor to bring my strategical game up to the next level. Can the pool schools do that?, or should I be looking for a different GURU?.......Thanx....Gerry
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Gerry,
I think the stroke "gurus" are GREAT. Since they are certified pool fanatics they will have considerable knowledge in all aspects of the game including the strategy you are seeking. However, I think it is a fabulous experience to take a lesson from the masters; players who have competed successfully at the highest level. Guys like Grady Mathews and Danny DiLiberto know as much about 14.1 and one-pocket as anyone who ever lived - they have in their time been the best in the world at what they do. In addition they are enthusiastic about the game, and willing to share their expertise for a reasonable fee. A player who truly loves the game and wants to advance to a high level could never go wrong seeking help from these guys - I have had lessons from both and highly recommend them. What you learn from them will be different than stroke mechanics, but just as necessary if you wish to have a top-flight game. Good luck.
 
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Gerry said:
So, Do they break down your whole game back to fundamentals? I'd like to go to a school maybe, but I have become very attatched to my "game". I fear change....:)....G
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Gerry, I was one of the instructors at the Charlotte School that Scott attended, so if you don't mind, I'll answer your question.

Actually, not a yes or no answer. Yes, we DO stress fundamentals, grip, stance, stroke, bridges, etc, but we also work on detailed areas of the student's game. Our goal is NOT to change your game completely, rather to tailor your game around the good things that are in it now. We DO NOT do cookie cutter instruction. You can't use my stance, my grip, my home position, my head position, any more than I could use yours. I absolutely can't stand to see someone teaching that says "YOU MUST USE THIS STANCE". Every student is an individual and Randy and his instructors understand this and teach the individual, not a hard line, "it must be this way" style of instruction. What you can use are the same good fundamentals that I use and have them tailored to fit the game you already play.

Now, we also deal in other, what I consider necessary details, like collision physics, tangent lines, finesse speeds, specialty bridges, etc. We don't hammer them in a technical manner, rather we try to insure that the students have a good understanding of what happens to a CB/OB during play so they can use that knowledge to improve their game.

In the end, what we try to do is insure that ever student walks away from Pool School with the knowledge to improve their game and the diagnostic tools to cure any problems that might come up in the future. We don't try to sell you on getting rid of the good parts of your game, rather we try to help the student replace things that are wrong with their game with fundamentally sound NEW habits.

In Scott's case, he came in with a pretty sound game. We didn't try to take that away from him and make him start at ZERO. Our purpose was to build on what he had and correct some minor flaws. On top of that, we gave him a "Perfect Practice" routine when he left, so that his practice can be short, concise and targetted. He knows what needs to be worked on and has the drills necessary to improve in those areas. Scott, by the way, is already a very sound poolplayer. He has the stroke, the knowledge and the potential to be an EXCELLENT poolplayer and I think in the very near future, he will be.

The class itself was great. We had Randy as the Lead Instructor and four other instructors, John, the pool room owner, who is now a BCA Recognized Instructor, Michael, a BCA Instructor from Raliegh, Steve J, the host instructor from Charlotte and me... The way it worked out, we had a VERY good instructor to student ratio, and everyone had an instructor at their side as often as they needed during drills and excercises. I've already said this on CCB, but man, do I ever love my job!!! Well, I'd love it more if it paid enough to FLY to Charlotte instead of Driving! LOL It was about a 2000 mile round trip for me. Still, if there was another class there tomorrow I'd drive there to teach just because that's what I love to do.

Later,
Bob
 
That's pretty much what I was looking to find out Bob! I really like how I play, I'm always looking to get better though. Thanx for the input,...Gerry
 
Gerry said:
That's pretty much what I was looking to find out Bob! I really like how I play, I'm always looking to get better though. Thanx for the input,...Gerry
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Go for it Gerry! You won't regret it!

Barbara
 
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