My Lesson With Earl "The Pearl" Strickland...

You are very privileged to have the opportunity to take lessons from one of the all-time great pool champions, enjoy it to the hilt!! There will always be those who put down people they are jealous of, who are able to do things they themselves cannot. Let it roll off of you like water off a duck's back. Let them live their dismal lives in the dark, like a bug under a rock, chugging jagr(meister), until they can't see the light or the good in anyone anymore. Enjoy your lesson, you'll remember it and talk about it all the rest of your life! Earl's just friggin' amazing! :p
 
You are extremely fortunate to take lessons from one of the greatest players of all time. With that said....lol. I think we all know Earl can be an ass. However, I actually think every sport needs that type of personality to spice things up. I actually enjoy watching him get all worked up, missing shots, doing dumb things. And I think if we are honest with ourselves those of us who don't really like Earl would agree, we love to hate him. So sit back, relax, and just wait to see what next antic he is going to pull, because hey, its fun. And I dont know exactly what taking a lesson from a guy like is going to do for you. With the way he plays it is obvisouly natural. Its like taking hitting lessons from A-rod. Oh hey teach me to hit it 500 feet....not really realistic. I would rather take lessons from an actual teacher rather than somebody who is just really good. For me I would just want to play him, maybe take a set down from him, but again you are very fortunate to get this opportunity so enjoy it!
 
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RunoutalloverU said:
You are extremely fortunate to take lessons from one of the greatest players of all time. With that said....lol. I think we all know Earl can be an ass. However, I actually think every sport needs that type of personality to spice things up. I actually enjoy watching him get all worked up, missing shots, doing dumb things. And I think if we are honest with ourselves those of us who don't really like Earl would agree, we love to hate him. So sit back, relax, and just wait to see what next antic he is going to pull, because hey, its fun. And I dont know exactly what taking a lesson from a guy like is going to do for you. With the way he plays it is obvisouly natural. Its like taking hitting lessons from A-rod. Oh hey teach me to hit it 500 feet....not really realistic. I would rather take lessons from an actual teacher rather than somebody who is just really good. For me I would just want to play him, maybe take a set down from him, but again you are very fortunate to get this opportunity so enjoy it!
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A little while ago I watched a youtube video of Earl giving one of our fellow posters a lesson. One of the critical shots he was showing was a rather tough force follow with top left english to go three rails and spin the cue ball down table. That shot is no gimme. And he stuck with the person taking the lesson until he started to make the shot and spin the cue ball around the rails and down table. Watching this video gave me some insights as to how to pull that shot off. It's the kind of shot that will win you admiration, or fear, from your fellow players. And the distance from the cue ball to the object ball is not very close, say two or three diamonds, and the object ball to the pocket is a similar distance. It's very easy to miss the shot. And the shot requires a stroke, not a poke. In other words, it's one of those shots that you live to make. It's a cool shot. And Earl was teaching this shot. He did such a good job teaching it, that it inspired me to go out an practice it until I feel comfortable shooting it. Matter of fact, I pulled this shot off in a match a few days ago, and my opponent asked me how I shot it.:D A large measure of credit thus goes to Earl for inspiring me to learn it, and practice it, and make it mine.

Take the lessons, and soak it all up. You'll be really glad you did.


Flex
 
worriedbeef said:
Actually you do get it in a smaller way. in all the big games in tense frames you get encouraging shouts from the crowd, "Come on Steve", "Go on Jimmy" etc etc. and in exciting moments during the play as well. but it's very minimal. and when things get a bit over excited a simple "settle down now" from the ref does the trick. the key thing is having the right amount for the game and snooker has got it down to a tee.
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I agree. Snooker has great crowds. They are very excited and yet very respectful of the players at the same time.
 
Flex said:
A little while ago I watched a youtube video of Earl giving one of our fellow posters a lesson. One of the critical shots he was showing was a rather tough force follow with top left english to go three rails and spin the cue ball down table. That shot is no gimme. And he stuck with the person taking the lesson until he started to make the shot and spin the cue ball around the rails and down table. Watching this video gave me some insights as to how to pull that shot off. It's the kind of shot that will win you admiration, or fear, from your fellow players. And the distance from the cue ball to the object ball is not very close, say two or three diamonds, and the object ball to the pocket is a similar distance. It's very easy to miss the shot. And the shot requires a stroke, not a poke. In other words, it's one of those shots that you live to make. It's a cool shot. And Earl was teaching this shot. He did such a good job teaching it, that it inspired me to go out an practice it until I feel comfortable shooting it. Matter of fact, I pulled this shot off in a match a few days ago, and my opponent asked me how I shot it.:D A large measure of credit thus goes to Earl for inspiring me to learn it, and practice it, and make it mine.

Take the lessons, and soak it all up. You'll be really glad you did.


Flex
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hey Flex? can you diagram this shot you are talking about? i've made a guess here, am i close?

DCP

CueTable Help

 
DrCue'sProtege said:
hey Flex? can you diagram this shot you are talking about? i've made a guess here, am i close?

DCP

CueTable Help

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I'm not very good at diagramming these things, but here goes:

CueTable Help



Flex
 
There have been times when Earl's antics have made me shake my head but I'd jump at the chance to learn from him. Who wouldn't want advice from one of the greats? Also, if he did start throwing insults I'd figure he was teaching me how to deal with sharking!;) :D

Fast Davie NC, I hope you have a great time!
 
No matter what anyone thinks of Earls behavior in competitive matches, I've never heard a single complaint about his personality while giving lessons. I've heard nothing but praise for his patience and knowledge transfer.
 
Jagr Fan said:
It's truly amazing to me that you die-hard Earl fans fail to see the obvious. I understand and fully exercise the properly-accepted pool etiquette when watching or playing...even though you find it necessary to speculate to the contrary...!!!
On the other hand, MY observations are factual...all one has to do is watch ES and his ridiculous antics on recently broadcasted TV events (or live)...!!!
Let me guess...I'll bet you'd want YOUR kids to grow up and be "just like Earl"....Yeah, right...!!! And, I'm the Wizard of Oz...!!!
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You, Mr. wizard, have now joined the ignoble {yes it is a word} ranks of the other idiots on my ignore list. And I sincerely hope the other posters to this thread do the same.
 
Jagr Fan said:
Funny how the truth "stings like a bee", isn't it...????
If you'd be rational enough to view my comments in the light in which they were presented, you (or anyone else) could NOT logically dispute them, as Earl has clearly, for all the world to see, behaved precisely in the manner described...NO EMBELLISHMENT NEEDED ON MY PART...!!!
There was nothing said about his playing record, as that ALSO speaks for itself...!!!
But to revere this guy who has clearly become an embarrassment to himself and the sport only demonstrates you willingness to meander through life with either rose-colored glasses, blinders, or possibly both...!!!
Yeah, I'll bet that's it...!!!
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Hes not taking the lessons from Earl because of his sportsmanship or attitudes, hes taking the lessons because Earl is the most successful American poolplayer of the last 20 years and his knowledge of the game and strategies that helped him accomplish this are what he is trying to learn. So dont be jealous....give the guy props for trying to take his game to the next level by taking lessons from a great player. JMO.

Southpaw
 
Fast Davie NC said:
Jam, You have great pics. Can I buy or download some for my poolroom in my house?
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You'd do better to contact Diana Hoppe for some pics. She's in South Carolina, right in your neck of the woods, and she's got some very, very cool ones. You could have your pick! The prices also very reasonable, IMHO! If you are interested, I can PM you her e-mail address.

Also, please send Earl my regards. Let him know that he's still the topic of conversation on the pool-related forums, and whenever his name comes up, the posts pop up like wildflowers. Tell him Keith says hi, too! :)

JAM
 
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