Lil plug for instructors.....

tucson9ball

tucson9ball

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
Many new players seem to get frustrated trying to learn the game of pool. I have seen it time and time again, where somebody thinks this game is impossible and just throws their hands in the air and gives up.
Just like any sport, a huge shortcut is to look up a local instructor and take a few lessons. Sure, ya might spend $100 dollars or so. But compared to the countless hours a person will spend trying to learn on their own or paying the table time, it will save you tons of money in the long run. Also, you won't learn bad habits which are hard to break down the road.
Most people on this site know how to play already. But, if ya know somebody who wants to learn, definitely point them toward an instructor. JMHO:smile:
 
Im pretty new to the game but have often wondered how much taking lessons would do for me. Not that he wouldn't be able to show me stuff, but would I be able to get what he is trying to show me. I've been playing for about 5 years in a league. I think I am starting to turn a corner. I'm thinking lessons would be benificial, I guess I just need to bite the bullet and get some instruction. Any suggestions for lessons in the Minneapolis/St.Paul area or west Wisconsin, La Crosse, Eau Claire area?
 
tjmc25: It may seem like a stretch, but you should drive down to the Quad Cities (Eastern Iowa) to work with Lil Joe (www.pooliq.net). That goes for anyone in the midwest really.

Does that seem like an overstatement? It's not. Would you believe he has pupils that are traveling from as far away as Georgia and Montana to learn his systems? That should give you an idea of the value of his knowledge.

Spend one weekend with Joe and you'll cut YEARS off your learning curve. How much is that worth? Just try to calculate the hundreds (if not thousands) you will spend on table time and tournaments in the hope of learning what Joe can teach you next weekend.

Here are what others are saying, if you want second, third, fourth,...opinions.

http://forums.azbilliards.com/showthread.php?t=44449

http://forums.azbilliards.com/showthread.php?t=46967
 
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tucson9ball said:
Many new players seem to get frustrated trying to learn the game of pool. I have seen it time and time again, where somebody thinks this game is impossible and just throws their hands in the air and gives up.
Just like any sport, a huge shortcut is to look up a local instructor and take a few lessons. Sure, ya might spend $100 dollars or so. But compared to the countless hours a person will spend trying to learn on their own or paying the table time, it will save you tons of money in the long run. Also, you won't learn bad habits which are hard to break down the road.
Most people on this site know how to play already. But, if ya know somebody who wants to learn, definitely point them toward an instructor. JMHO:smile:
Click to expand...

I don't know who you are, but your comment represents the initiative of a wise person. Who knows how many people will read this and be affected by it possibly launching a nationwide epidemic of highly skilled pool players? We will be handing the world the '7' ball in no time :)

Well done, sir. I couldn't agree with you more. I myself can attest to that. I wasted many, many years because I was too prideful. There is no shame in asking for help. There are just somethings about pool where if you aren't told by someone experienced, you will just never really 'get it' on your own. There is one basic and fundamental way to play pool and that is a fundamental every good player knows.

It wasn't until the great Buddy Hall sat me down and gave me a talking to that I released the 'player' in me.
 
As someone who has aspirations of becoming a qualified/certified instructor within the next few years I want to reiterate exactly what a couple of the previous posters are saying.

Quality instruction is second to none for shortening your learning curve.

I've been amazed how many decent players I know who don't know the specicifcs of some of the more advanced principles in pool and the how/why to apply them. I love to give lessons, especially to young players, and have given several lessons over the last few years for free simply due to my love of the game and the satisfaction of improving another players skill and knowledge.

Now once I invest the time and money to become a certified instructor I probably won't be giving too many lessons for free anymore but I hope to be giving more and more lessons to players who have the same love and desire as I do for the game.

And as far as the discussion about Lil Joe ............ I have both of his videos and have met and talked to the guy a couple times and I can definitely say his DVD's and his personal instruction would be worth their weight in GOLD.
 
tjmc25 said:
Im pretty new to the game but have often wondered how much taking lessons would do for me. Not that he wouldn't be able to show me stuff, but would I be able to get what he is trying to show me. I've been playing for about 5 years in a league. I think I am starting to turn a corner. I'm thinking lessons would be benificial, I guess I just need to bite the bullet and get some instruction. Any suggestions for lessons in the Minneapolis/St.Paul area or west Wisconsin, La Crosse, Eau Claire area?
Click to expand...


One of the finest Pool Schools in the Country will be at SHOOTERS Billiards (Burnsville, Mn.) in Aug. 2009. There's a chance to get quality lessons for three days.....SPF=randyg
 
randyg said:
One of the finest Pool Schools in the Country will be at SHOOTERS Billiards (Burnsville, Mn.) in Aug. 2009. There's a chance to get quality lessons for three days.....SPF=randyg
Click to expand...

I second that motion. As a student, as well as an instructor who has taught several classes with Randy, I can promise you that the 3 days you spend in that class will be the best 3 days of your pool career!

Steve
 
Thank you all for your responses! I will definantly check thse out. I've heard great things about randyg and the school. I've been to shooters a few times its only about an hour drive for me. I'll have to see if I can make that one.
 
Instructors

I agree you should seek out an instructor, but you failed to mention 1 important aspect:

Self discipline

A person that can discipline themselves are usually much more successful than those who can not.

Reasons people DO NOT go to an instructor:
1) They would like to be better, but don't really know if they are serious about it or not.
2) Lack of self discipline.
3) Can not afford the money for an instructor.
4) They think it takes too much time.
5) They think it takes too much practice time from the lessons they learn.
6) They think they will embarrass theirselves.
 
Snapshot9 said:
I agree you should seek out an instructor, but you failed to mention 1 important aspect:

Self discipline

A person that can discipline themselves are usually much more successful than those who can not.

Reasons people DO NOT go to an instructor:
1) They would like to be better, but don't really know if they are serious about it or not.
2) Lack of self discipline.
3) Can not afford the money for an instructor.
4) They think it takes too much time.
5) They think it takes too much practice time from the lessons they learn.
6) They think they will embarrass theirselves.
Click to expand...


It may well make you worse in the short run. This is to be expected and IMO you have to have the self discipline to accept it and work through it. It also takes practice afterward. You need to do it. I am not exactly perfect in this regard. But the dumbest thing to do IMO is to get some good instruction then give up after any frustration. Maybe not the dumbest because it was better to get the instruction in the first place, buit it is a terrible mistake to give up after some frustration. As for embarrassment, you have to put ego aside to really learn any new skill. If you let your ego run things you will prevent all kinds of learning experiences from happening. You can't be afraid to learn what you don't know, learn the extent of your ignorance, and learn things from people who are better.
 
tjmc...If you don't want to wait until summer, I'll be in the UP of MI next Friday, and could come over to Eau Claire to work with you, if you wanted. If you're interested, PM me.

Scott Lee
www.poolknowledge.com

tjmc25 said:
Thank you all for your responses! I will definantly check thse out. I've heard great things about randyg and the school. I've been to shooters a few times its only about an hour drive for me. I'll have to see if I can make that one.
Click to expand...
 
Snapshot9 said:
I agree you should seek out an instructor, but you failed to mention 1 important aspect:

Self discipline

A person that can discipline themselves are usually much more successful than those who can not.

Reasons people DO NOT go to an instructor:
1) They would like to be better, but don't really know if they are serious about it or not.
2) Lack of self discipline.
3) Can not afford the money for an instructor.
4) They think it takes too much time.
5) They think it takes too much practice time from the lessons they learn.
6) They think they will embarrass theirselves.
Click to expand...

1. I am serious about getting better, I shoot everyday, unless something major comes up, for an average of about 2 hours a night. I know it could be more, but not a bad place to start.
2. The self discipline I think goes hand in hand with the practicing. When I learn a proper practice routine I don't think I'll have a problem sticking with it.
3. As far as affording it, I can save up, I dont make the most but I have some disposable income.
4. I definantly have more time than money.
5. Again time is all I got, I have no wife or kids, I do have a girlfriend but she is pretty understanding about me practicing.
6. Ive been embarrassing myself for years. Its time to quit that now.
 
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