Match videos of fundamentals. Archer vs. Deul

[christopheradam]

I recently had a chance to see part of the Archer vs. Deul 20 k match. It was a low budget video compared to say a televised match. I noticed that I could see the players fundamentals much better though. Grip, stance, stroke, head position, etc. I think a lot of the accustats and espn matches tend to focus too much the game and not the fundamentals. I watch a lot of matches to learn strategy, position play, and also to see fundamentals of the pro players. I think if espn and accustats took more video shots of the player from a distance it would be more beneficial. Anyone know of any matches where the video shots do focus on the players fundamentals?

I think the problem may be that they hire non pool playing individuals to work these events. Anyone got some "home videos" of pool events out there. If anyone has any "home video's" of pool matches (pro or non pro) please pm me!

 

[Blackjack]

I recently had a chance to see part of the Archer vs. Deul 20 k match. It was a low budget video compared to say a televised match. I noticed that I could see the players fundamentals much better though. Grip, stance, stroke, head position, etc. I think a lot of the accustats and espn matches tend to focus too much the game and not the fundamentals. I watch a lot of matches to learn strategy, position play, and also to see fundamentals of the pro players. I think if espn and accustats took more video shots of the player from a distance it would be more beneficial. Anyone know of any matches where the video shots do focus on the players fundamentals?

I think the problem may be that they hire non pool playing individuals to work these events. Anyone got some "home videos" of pool events out there. If anyone has any "home video's" of pool matches (pro or non pro) please pm me!

Christopher,
Several years ago, the ESPN televised matches would analyze the player's stroke, stance, and how they addressed the cue ball, their grip, etc. All of these things vary with each individual player. The problem with using videos as an instructional tool because it is a method that does not give you an initial evaluation or feedback on your progress. As an instructor I use video as a tool, but not as substitute for instruction. Get with me privately either via e-mail or phone and I will give you some ideas to try at your leisure that will get you better results - and it will also save you some money - and probably make you some money somewhere down the road.

 

[lewdo26]

I sometimes wish you could see more of the players as well. Especially since I've been so interested in pre-shot routines recently. Accu-stats has been doing a bit better of late in that aspect. Some old accu-stats tapes I've seen show nothing but the players arm and bridge hand! Forget about finding out whether Rempe is left or right eye dominant!

 

[christopheradam]

Christopher,
Several years ago, the ESPN televised matches would analyze the player's stroke, stance, and how they addressed the cue ball, their grip, etc. All of these things vary with each individual player. The problem with using videos as an instructional tool because it is a method that does not give you an initial evaluation or feedback on your progress. As an instructor I use video as a tool, but not as substitute for instruction. Get with me privately either via e-mail or phone and I will give you some ideas to try at your leisure that will get you better results - and it will also save you some money - and probably make you some money somewhere down the road.

I think you can still learn new things about fundamentals from watching good players. You don't have to copy them exactly but I think it can get give you new ideas to try in your practice session. An example would be seeing Allison Fishers snooker stance and experimenting with a snooker stance in your practice session. Or seeing Bustamante's ultra loose 2 finger grip on the cue and loosing up your grip a bit.

I'll take you up on that offer Black jack. Thanks a lot.

 

[Blackjack]

I think you can still learn new things about fundamentals from watching good players. You don't have to copy them exactly but I think it can get give you new ideas to try in your practice session. An example would be seeing Allison Fishers snooker stance and experimenting with a snooker stance in your practice session. Or seeing Bustamante's ultra loose 2 finger grip on the cue and loosing up your grip a bit.

I'll take you up on that offer Black jack. Thanks a lot.

I understand what you are saying, but remember that what works for one player (like Bustamante) does not mean that it will work for you. As a coach and as an instructor, it is my job to assist in the development of your game around the talents that you already possess. In one of my books, I describe a student of mine that was trying to emulate Bustamante's break shot. The trouble was that Bustamente's body mechanics will not work for another player if they are 6 foot 4 inches tall and weigh over 250. I was very privliged to learn under Cisero Murphy. Cisero had one of the most unorthadox styles you'd ever want to see. For him it worked, and it worked very well. A BCA instructor would cringe at Murphy's stance and stroke in much the same way I cringe when I watch Allen Hopkins' stroke. It would be hard to emulate Hopkins' stroke and receive the same results. That stroke works only for Allen Hopkins. I believe this question was raised a few years ago at the BD board when we were talking about Jimmy Moore's "slip stroke". You are either born with it or you are not. It is very hard to master intricacies like that, mainly because they are part of the player's natural make - up. The same is true for you and the little things that make your stroke and stance original. I have bitten my tongue many times when an instructor tries to change something that is natural. With my instructional style, I work with the player's natural ability. If you ever want to to see 100% natural ability... watch Earl Strickland. There is no better example of natural ability than Earl.

 

[lewdo26]

Thanks for a great post, Blackjack. The BCA instruction orthodoxy is often times a bit too rigid indeed. Bob Henning has also stated that beyond a certain basic level of development, technique becomes a personal project. I got from his instructional books that I should study the technique of players with similar body types and temperaments to my own. Been learning LOTS about myself and my game ever since.