Anyone has some details on how the proposed pool academy is going to be. Is it going to be a formal school just like boxing training gym?
Pool Academy in Philippines
- Thread starter crosseyedjoe
- Start date
I also would like to hear information on this proposed "pool academy" (will this be government sponsored??). Though, from the lack of responses to this thread, it seems like no one knows too much about it, so why not discuss if an academy would actually be a good thing for pool in the Philippines.crosseyedjoe said:
Some people might think the Filipinos benefitting from such an academy is a no-brainer, but I have my concerns. Depending on how "formal" this academy might be, I think it may actually hamper the progress of pool in the Philippines.
For example, if the academy is very formally structured such that each player is coached "proper fundamentals" and "textbook position play" such that each Filipino player becomes a carbon copy of each other, then I think this would actually take away from the Filipino players' strengths of individuality, creativity and fluidity. They just won't be "Filipino" pool player anymore.
If the academy also focuses primarily on tournament 9-ball as opposed to the Philippine national game of rotation, then I'm definitely sure the academy would hinder Philippine pool. Rotation is the game in which Philippine pool is based. Take away that game, and the Filipinos will no longer have the competitive advantages and skills that come from mastering rotation.
Also, just culturally, Filipinos aren't very good with such rigid structure and discipline. I think it is difficult to expect the Filipinos to have the same discipline as the Germans (ever heard of "Filipino-time"?). Filipinos will never be the same type of players as the Thorsten Hohmanns and the Ralph Souquets of this world. They're just a different style of player...not saying one is better than the other, just that Filipinos are not bred for German-style pool.
If I were to design a pool academy in the Philippines, I would make it a place such that players can just get together and match up. No formal training, teaching, or instruction...just have the players play and learn from each other. Rotation should be the main game played, but I would also encourage some straight pool. Formal instruction would be available if desired, but by no means should formal instruction be forced.
Of course, there would be absolutely no gambling on the premises. The main motivation for competition in the academy would not be money, but individual and national pride. I would devise an official ranking system, such that the rankings are frequently updated after weekly tournaments. The top 10 or so ranked players would be sponsored for international tournaments.
I don't now, just some thoughts.
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Pool academy
A few years ago Billiards Digest (or Inside Pool) had a long article about pool academies in Korea. Some of the strokes that they described teaching on a routine basis were comparable to the strokes Buddy Hall shows on his You Tube videos (I mean, they are unreal.) If an academy is established in the Phillipines, you would think it would be similar. If we could find that article from a few years back that would give you a good idea. Ever since reading that, I've thought about it. Maybe when I retire ....
A few years ago Billiards Digest (or Inside Pool) had a long article about pool academies in Korea. Some of the strokes that they described teaching on a routine basis were comparable to the strokes Buddy Hall shows on his You Tube videos (I mean, they are unreal.) If an academy is established in the Phillipines, you would think it would be similar. If we could find that article from a few years back that would give you a good idea. Ever since reading that, I've thought about it. Maybe when I retire ....
crosseyedjoe said:
The filipinos better be careful. Lets not forget what happened to Bruce Lee when he taught us the art of Martial Arts. LOL!!
I have had a friend who was offered from the filipino they called lil' Efren. A opportunity to go to the phillipines to elevate his game to highest. He was afraid to go.
Are you saying they have one here in America? If so i am very interested.
No, not in US.
The chairman of the Phil Billiards Association is thinking of setting up a pool academy in the Phil to make sure that there is a contant flow of talent.
If you are in California. Jose "Amang" Parica actually offers some pool tutoring. He also wants to start his own Billiard hall.
The chairman of the Phil Billiards Association is thinking of setting up a pool academy in the Phil to make sure that there is a contant flow of talent.
If you are in California. Jose "Amang" Parica actually offers some pool tutoring. He also wants to start his own Billiard hall.
cross-eyed joe, amang parica actually had pool hall some 4 years ago in covina, california, but it closed shop as he can't really manage it due to hectic tour schedule...as far as i know, he still teaches pool when not competing...and he's good at it...anybody interested for private lessons with him i can relay the message.....
www.filipinopool.com
www.filipinopool.com
I probably have to sell my soul to be able to afford his private tutoring, he-he.
How much does he charge in the average?
How much does he charge in the average?
NO, I'll wear a patch.
I think filipinopool.com have a short article about it. They are also hoping to include it in school curriculum, probably a P.E. class.
I think filipinopool.com have a short article about it. They are also hoping to include it in school curriculum, probably a P.E. class.
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bandido said:
That would be interesting. "2 Schools of Thought," class-room skill versus street skill. I just hope it doesn't get bad. Street hustlers talking school kids allowance.
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kaduku
Member
It seems like last year the Philippine Pool Academy was a knee-jerk reaction to the early elimination and poor showing of the Filipino group in the 2005 Kaohsiung Championships. Now that the Filipinos performed much better in the '06 Manila Championships, you don't hear as much rhetoric about it anymore from the Chairman of BSCP. That's just my observation. There's always the school-of-hard-knocks. 
jsp said:
I like your ideas, all of them EXCEPT, no gambling. This would be a mistake in my opinion as this is one of the strongest suits that the Pinoy's have. Gambling seems to be another tool for pool conditioning and without gambling, they would become mere mortals.
What I would do is put a maximum amount of money that could be bet on each match and a maximum amount of money that could be bet in one day. That way, no one ever goes broke for long, yet they could have a way to "practice gambling". The amount of money would need to be kept very low so that all could afford to participate.
JoeyA
Filipino Billiard Academy.
This is where the billiard academy idea came from I THINK.
http://filipinopool.com/columns/index.shtml
Thanks for the link to column, Bing's Corner.
JoeyA
pool whiz said:
This is where the billiard academy idea came from I THINK.
http://filipinopool.com/columns/index.shtml
Thanks for the link to column, Bing's Corner.
JoeyA
Great and solid posts on concieved "Pool Academy"!
But unlike in first world countries, all sports excel with private and government support. If this concept comes into fruition, I can only dream of the day when Filipinos enter large contingent in every tournament held all over the world....but going back to reality, we only have Puyat, Mariano and a couple of unknown benefactors who really cares about pool...the rest?....they always manage to squeeze their way and all come in droves during photo ops sessions for credit-grab...
poolwhiz
www.filipinopool.com
But unlike in first world countries, all sports excel with private and government support. If this concept comes into fruition, I can only dream of the day when Filipinos enter large contingent in every tournament held all over the world....but going back to reality, we only have Puyat, Mariano and a couple of unknown benefactors who really cares about pool...the rest?....they always manage to squeeze their way and all come in droves during photo ops sessions for credit-grab...
poolwhiz
www.filipinopool.com
"No gambling" can be remedied by inter-academy tournaments.
kaduku said:It seems like last year the Philippine Pool Academy was a knee-jerk reaction to the early elimination and poor showing of the Filipino group in the 2005 Kaohsiung Championships. Now that the Filipinos performed much better in the '06 Manila Championships, you don't hear as much rhetoric about it anymore from the Chairman of BSCP. That's just my observation. There's always the school-of-hard-knocks.
I believe the chairman of the BSCP and some pool fans and journalists may have over-reacted during that dismal performance by the Filipinos in 2005. but that does not necessarily mean that the level of skill and knowledge of the players had dropped. I mean hey, we should never eliminate the possibility of a bad season. that sort of thing is normal. It happens to everybody, not just in the game of pool but in every sport. I think that there is no cause for any alarm. It caused a bit of a concern to these filipinos (not players) since pool grew to become a more popular sport these days compared some years ago. Because every tournament is now being televised and publicized than before, which mean every win or a loss in a match is being accounted for by most viewers ( mostly non-knowledgeable about other things and other matches that happen behind the scenes ).
I also believe that if ever the time comes that such academy would materialize, the possibililty of gambling among youths can never be eliminated. even if they forbid gambling inside the academy, I'm sure they'll find a way or place that they do it. When I was in the Philippines, I saw some kids playing and gambling in pool halls with some of them still wearing their uniforms. I mean, these are kids about 13-15 years young. you'll just be fascinated on how much they enjoy the game very much and how well they play the game, whether it's a fun game or a money game. Everytime I remember that particular sight, It makes me work my ass on the table more, truly motivating !
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