Mark Wilson & Don Wardell, M.D.

dmgwalsh said:
Don:

I bought the book and am working on things in the stance chapter. I have altered my stance, and have much more clearance, i.e., my right hand no longer runs into my body when I stroke. I am a bit more upright than I have ever been, too. It was not real comfortable at the beginning, but I think it is starting to pay off now. While not totally cured, I have been throwing out the chicken wing less frequently than in the past and long shots are being made more frequently. I have tape on the floor in my basement to help me set up on a practice shot and have been trying to get my body to where it naturally assumes that position during play. This book has so much good material in here, I will have no excuse for not improving other than not putting the time in. Thanks to you and Mark for putting together a wonderful textbook.

I spoke to Sailor about the book and he loves it. :thumbup:
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Don: So I am concentrating on stance, grip, stroke, etc. Ed Latimer who has been trying to get me to do things right for years is starting to compliment me on an improved stroke. I played Bobby Hunter in league last night and he said to me that it looked like I was shooting a lot better than he remembered. He said I used to slow roll more and I was hitting the ball with more authority.

It is a long process, but I think my stroke is starting to get a little better. Thanks to you and Mark for putting together this very fine textbook. I am wowed by the quality of the publication itself, not to mention the material and the writing style. I predict that this will be the Number One Primer on playing pool for years to come. :thumbup:
 
elvicash said:
I been working slowly through the book savoring the details. I have actually probably more methodically read it than needed but the little small sub paragraphs are detail filled and I read some of them two or three times before moving on, I am rereading the core chapters again right now. I am picking up on a lot of technical suggestions that I would have thought I was doing prior to the book. I was NOT and I have noticed it primarily in the two 14.1 matches I have played. I have been traveling a ton and not really practicing so my processing of the info is slow but I want to suggest this info is really sticking with me. I have made changes on my stance mid game and alot of bridge enhancements. I find I have no rhythm right now as the process is not burned in and I do not know how to deal with the chalk. I want to be behind the shot on the shot line and find my chin lock but I have the chalk in my hand which I need to get on the rail. I am seeing and feeling a lot more of what is actually going on it is almost as if I could actually be a player. I need to quit this working thing traveling all over the country and start trying to play great pool. I played these last two matches probably never ran more than 16 or 17 but and this is a big but for me. I almost always left the table on my terms very few missed balls, most safety were effective in not actually very good. I felt more in control and I think a ton of it was due to me being aware of a lot more small details. I will figure out how to get more rhythm in my game, maybe chalk on a stick or a magnet (dont want one but I might try it), But the focus on alignment and quality of bridge and grip and stroke are really awesome. I have really only read the first primary chapters and rereading them myself right now. I have done some of the basic training drills. This book really just ties a lot of what I know together in a manner i can process. So I guess I have to say I am glad to own a copy. Thanks Mark and Don.

Oh I am not sure that my post sounds as positive as I feel my loss of rhythm my lower runs but I won both matches by fairly safe margins. One against the highest rated player in the league and the other against of the lower rated players. I am not running balls like I did yet but I am also passing on shots I would have taken before some for the good and sometimes selling out. I am being pretty succesful at what I am planning. I have sense of control that I did not have before. I am working in Mississippi this week the closest pool room is 30-40 minutes away. I might make the drive tonight I want to play great pool.
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It's nice to see you putting your thoughts down as you go through the book. I have been jumping around into different chapters that interest me the most.

As to the chalk thing, I like to chalk up as soon as I approach the table. In the past, I had developed a great habit of using the snooker style leather pouch for holding my chalk. When I finish chalking it goes right in my leather pouch. Because I used it so much, I broke the sewn threads with my Neanderthal fingers. Steve Lomax used some kind of super glue which held the seams together for quite some time until I splayed them once more, which is as it sits now in some corner of my office. I really enjoyed the privacy of using my own chalk, never having to deal with this opponents who love to take the chalk off of the table just as you are approaching the table for your inning. I hope to get back to it the leather pouch one day and maybe using the Predator chalk which I enjoy using.

Anyway, I was lucky enough to have Don share some of his insights which he gleaned from helping create the book. Don's game shows some of the things that I see in many top professional players as well as a consistency that wasn't there two years ago when he visited previously.

When you have a job in Louisiana make sure you give me a call because I want another 14.1 lesson. I kept Don too busy trying to work through some of my fundamental problem issues to play any straight pool. :)

JoeyA
 
cueandcushion said:
Agreed... Definitely underpriced. But you have to keep the price low for the limited market of serious players.
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Too funny. Mark received an email from someone wondering about the price, and wondering if he could get a refund if he didn't like it. Mark's response was, "you are much more likely to want to send more money after you read it than to request a refund." :-) Fortunately that reader raved about the content; said he was tempted to send more money.
 
I have not read entire thread,hope my 70 money order is the correct amount.
Price is still 70 including shipping?
Thanks
 
Slightly off topic, but read between the lines.

Last night I went to Lindenwood to watch Mark's team compete. I'm extremely impressed with all the players, and not just talking about the obvious Stars like Landon, Briana.... but particularly the team members that just started playing within the past year. They're all very, very solid at the table. They're not yet run out players, but have the concrete foundation to get there in the fast lane.

The team was undefeated going into last night and I had to leave early so don't know how it turned out but they were ahead when I left. Next year its going to be silly with these first year kids going into year 2.

How lucky the rookies are for the opportunity to be coached the right way from the very beginning.
 
No kidding Tom! I envy Mark, and his opportunity to really coach these newer young players (college age). Players like Landon and Briana have gotten solid instruction since they were little kids...but to be able to do this WHILE getting a solid education (especially with the focus being on maintaining high grade point averages) is just fantastic! I have to tip my hat to Mark, and hope some other schools will see the results and move in a similar direction. I could see instructors like randyg and myself in a position like Mark's at other schools (me in FL and Randy in TX). Who knows? Can't wait to get my copy of Mark's book. Just gave the info to my Mom for my Xmas gift! :thumbup:

Scott Lee
http://poolknowledge.com

3kushn said:
Slightly off topic, but read between the lines.

Last night I went to Lindenwood to watch Mark's team compete. I'm extremely impressed with all the players, and not just talking about the obvious Stars like Landon, Briana.... but particularly the team members that just started playing within the past year. They're all very, very solid at the table. They're not yet run out players, but have the concrete foundation to get there in the fast lane.

The team was undefeated going into last night and I had to leave early so don't know how it turned out but they were ahead when I left. Next year its going to be silly with these first year kids going into year 2.

How lucky the rookies are for the opportunity to be coached the right way from the very beginning.
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3kushn said:
Slightly off topic, but read between the lines.

Last night I went to Lindenwood to watch Mark's team compete. I'm extremely impressed with all the players, and not just talking about the obvious Stars like Landon, Briana.... but particularly the team members that just started playing within the past year. They're all very, very solid at the table. They're not yet run out players, but have the concrete foundation to get there in the fast lane.

The team was undefeated going into last night and I had to leave early so don't know how it turned out but they were ahead when I left. Next year its going to be silly with these first year kids going into year 2.

How lucky the rookies are for the opportunity to be coached the right way from the very beginning.
Click to expand...

I think if anyone wants to wait until next year to purchase THE BOOK, they can do so. The Lindenwood players are already making their mark but another year will help to further the conviction the quality of what is contained in Play Great Pool.

Thanks for the Recon.

JoeyA
 
Scott Lee said:
No kidding Tom! I envy Mark, and his opportunity to really coach these newer young players (college age). Players like Landon and Briana have gotten solid instruction since they were little kids...but to be able to do this WHILE getting a solid education (especially with the focus being on maintaining high grade point averages) is just fantastic! I have to tip my hat to Mark, and hope some other schools will see the results and move in a similar direction. I could see instructors like randyg and myself in a position like Mark's at other schools (me in FL and Randy in TX). Who knows? Can't wait to get my copy of Mark's book. Just gave the info to my Mom for my Xmas gift! :thumbup:

Scott Lee
http://poolknowledge.com
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Scott, I have seen 3 of Marks students (Chess, Briana and Sayed Sharik) playing in our tournament here in MO, and they play great. I got a copy of Marks book from Chess while I was there and all I can say is that just what little I have looked at and read it is TOP KNOTCH! Just like the instruction I got from you. I think with this book and what you taught me Sayed will not win our next match by me hanging the 9.
 
I am a little confused,inside my copy is a sticker which reads-
Limited First Edition- 1 Of 1000
Is my book #1,or just "one" of a thousand?

Why the ambiguity?

I have been afraid to put the book to use,since it could be something that I can't=#1:D
 
:thumbup:
alphadog said:
I am a little confused,inside my copy is a sticker which reads-
Limited First Edition- 1 Of 1000
Is my book #1,or just "one" of a thousand?

Why the ambiguity?

I have been afraid to put the book to use,since it could be something that I can't=#1:D
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It is 1 of a 1,000. I thought the same thing then my wife exlpained it to me:)
 
Scott, not only does he require a 3.0 grade average to be on the team, he also demands respect for the game. No yelling and screaming, throwing things, stomping around..... One chance at this and you're off the team. I saw one player call a foul on himself. I didn't see the CB move and his opponent couldn't even see the CB. The player turns around and admits the foul and sits down. Another player noticed his opponent didn't score a win on the wire, so he simply scored it for him, as he should.

Total Class Act displayed by the players and coach. BTW in the room they have 4 - 9' one piece slate Diamonds named Mosconi, Greenleaf, Crane, Efren
 
Jim...As you and I both know, behavior like that is a rarity in today's pool world...even for the professionals, let alone amateur players! Great to see this level of professionalism being 'demanded' as a prerequisite to attending! I haven't forgotten about your instructor certification...I just haven't gotten back to MO yet! I will! :grin:

Scott Lee
http://poolknowledge.com

SFC9ball said:
Scott, I have seen 3 of Marks students (Chess, Briana and Sayed Sharik) playing in our tournament here in MO, and they play great. I got a copy of Marks book from Chess while I was there and all I can say is that just what little I have looked at and read it is TOP KNOTCH! Just like the instruction I got from you. I think with this book and what you taught me Sayed will not win our next match by me hanging the 9.
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Scott Lee said:
Jim...As you and I both know, behavior like that is a rarity in today's pool world...even for the professionals, let alone amateur players! Great to see this level of professionalism being 'demanded' as a prerequisite to attending! I haven't forgotten about your instructor certification...I just haven't gotten back to MO yet! I will! :grin:

Scott Lee
http://poolknowledge.com
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Scott,
As the assistant coach (unskilled, unpaid, sporadically present :-)), I can assure you that respect for the equipment and respect for the opponent are mandatory. Good sportsmanship, a neat appearance, good training habits, and good scholarship come first; winning is the byproduct of these factors.

It would be great if instructors such as yourself pitched this type of program to universities. By giving partial scholarships to 20 or 30 players, the program will be of great advantage to both university and student.

Of interest, Jeanette Lee is setting up a public, non-profit foundation (Black Widow Foundation at blackwidowfoundation.org) for the promotion of billiards for "under age 18" youth. Through her generosity and that of the sponsors she has obtained, there should be significant funds to promote the game - but in the PROPER way such as Mark is doing at Lindenwood.
 
What would be great is if other college sports programs took a lesson from what Mark is doing. Can you imagine for a moment what college sports would be like if scholarship, sportsmanship, honor and respect were the number one priorities and the prerequisite for playing on the team?
 
nobcitypool said:
What would be great is if other college sports programs took a lesson from what Mark is doing. Can you imagine for a moment what college sports would be like if scholarship, sportsmanship, honor and respect were the number one priorities and the prerequisite for playing on the team?
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They would be called "Army" and would go 3-9 every year on the gridiron.

JC
 
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