Pool coaches...

lodini

lodini

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
As I am sure this has been brought up a million times, I am new here and was just wondering if you guys could give me some advice. I have a new coach and I think he is great... for the first time I am actually listening to someone and understand him, and showing signs of improvement... but on a daily basis at the pool hall I am playing at (also new to me), someone comes up to me trying to steal me away. Should I take this as a sign that my coach is no good (while I think he is great) or that the other people are just overstepping their bounds?:eek:

Does this happen to others as well?
 
My advice is to listen to your current coach. Although the other person is trying to be helpful, their advice could possibly conflict with specific instructions given to you by your coach.

As a coach, I have seen my players experience the same situation. I have also been at events where I wanted to pull a player aside to give advice - but - I have learned that is is best to keep my mouth shut unless the player specifically asks for my opinion.

You have the advantage of being in an area where there are many great people to learn from. As a player you will probably rotate from coach to coach - it happens all of the time. You will always have people trying to chime in to help you with this, and to give their advice about that... remain respectful and let them say what they want, then politely tell them that your coach has you working on something else that day. That will make your coach's job much easier - and hopefully they will get the hint and back off. If they actually care about your development as a player, they would relay their useful information to you through your coach. From there, your coach would make the decision whether the advice should hit your ears.

Welcome to the forums! Keep us posted on how everything is working out!
 
I am going to go out on a limb here and say that maybe, just maybe it might have something to do with the fact that you are a female in the pool hall ...............

that is only if your avatar is really you ....
 
smokeandapancak said:
I am going to go out on a limb here and say that maybe, just maybe it might have something to do with the fact that you are a female in the pool hall ...............

that is only if your avatar is really you ....
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LOL

Why didn't I think of that?:rolleyes:
 
changed title, just testing

You have a coach that you are communicating well with, stick with him and ask others to respect that, politely. You may find that you need to change coaches somewhere down the line or you may not. One thing for sure, nothing will mess up your game worse than trying to follow a bunch of different people's advice at once. There are many paths to success shooting pool but jumping from path to path constantly insures that you never get far down any of them.

Hu
 
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I've had a similar issue, where I wanted to coach someone and so did a buddy... we were all on the same league team. Because the other is a friend I can tell him to s.t.f.u and get back in his chair and we both can laugh about it. But if he weren't a friend it'd be a bit awkward because I don't want anyone screwing up my advice but I dunno if I could politely find a way to stop them =)

I think to make it go easier, let your preferred coach be the bad guy... let him find a nice way to say it... maybe something like "hold on, she and I are training right now and it'll screw her up to have advice coming in from two directions. Tell her after we're done here."

That seems easier than you having to tell the other coach to butt out, because it doesn't make it look like you picked one over the other.
 
stick with your current coach, when you stop learning from him/her then it's time to move on.
 
taking advice

lodini said:
Thanks, guys! This is all very good advice:-)
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take your own advice. the knot heads and league players have no credible advice for anyone. remember, they are just beginning also.
 
Lodini,
If the guy is a knowledgeable player, and a good teacher - then you should be listening to him, and giving him your full attention when you're in a session.
99% of the people in the pool hall don't know what they're talking about any way, so it could be dangerous to listen to them.

I've taken a couple of pointers from some of the best players to come threw South Florida (Danny D, Ignacio Chavez, John DiToro, ...) and I recall any time there were people in the house, there was some nitt who was trying to prove he knew something -- if I didn't tell him to leave, one of the guys trying to teach me usually would.
I actually recall one time I was getting a lesson from Danny and one of the local champions (who shall remain nameless) cut Danny off and started telling me what to do... Then he and Danny started to argue a little. I felt bad for Danny, and it did stop him from going any further, but at least I got two world-class players points of view on what to do :)

But Lodini, I have some questions for you. I'll send via PM.
 
coach

do you pay your coach for his time or lessons?? if so the others may just be chasing the doller. a good caoch or professional would never aproach anothers student. is he an established coach or teacher or just a good or top player?? also alot of times the old timers who used to think they played world class speed try to sell their advice or barter > i have had those people offer to give me info and teach me when i could give them the 8 and love it. is he is a coach that teaches you the sound basics like stance and alignment?? if your trying to learn a game like one pocket on the other hand , those old timers or never was haz beens may offer some sound advice but sometimes they just looking for the cash. good luck and it sounds like your on the right track. good communication and your improving, all good imho. later
 
buck15 said:
do you pay your coach for his time or lessons?? if so the others may just be chasing the doller. a good caoch or professional would never aproach anothers student. is he an established coach or teacher or just a good or top player?? also alot of times the old timers who used to think they played world class speed try to sell their advice or barter > i have had those people offer to give me info and teach me when i could give them the 8 and love it. is he is a coach that teaches you the sound basics like stance and alignment?? if your trying to learn a game like one pocket on the other hand , those old timers or never was haz beens may offer some sound advice but sometimes they just looking for the cash. good luck and it sounds like your on the right track. good communication and your improving, all good imho. later
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I do pay my coach... but it's much less than anyone else I have worked with and he usually stays working with me way beyond the hour. He actually is an established teacher (as he was a college professor) and a former professional pool player... so I feel like I am in good hands. I agree with you about the others though, they are mostly old timers and had beens (or never was). Thanks again to everyone who responded here:D
 
When you say "steal you away" do you mean, offering you lessons, or just outright, giving you instruction?

I found, esp early on when it was more apparent that I was new to the game, I got a lot of guys wanting to give me free advice and I am sure that was not all they wanted. This is why the iPod is one of my favorite inventions. I learned to adopt a pretty stoney presences and kept my earphones on. It cut down on a lot unwanted "help"...

At the same time, if I am playing a better player that I respect and he offers advice etc...I am more than happy to listen. This is advantage as women we have, I don't think most men would bother to do this for a male opponent.

If they are soliciting lessons, let them know in a pretty firm way, that you have a coach you are very happy with and your not interested.
I am sure it is no reflection on your coaches ability.
 
I agree with whoever wrote that it's cause you are a woman. Ever notice that many of the pro and open class female pool players have perfect mechanics and great fundamentals. It's because everyone wants to help them out so they are getting round the clock attention to their game.



Christian
 
cmsmith9 said:
I agree with whoever wrote that it's cause you are a woman. Ever notice that many of the pro and open class female pool players have perfect mechanics and great fundamentals. It's because everyone wants to help them out so they are getting round the clock attention to their game.



Christian
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I don't disagree with you guys... I was just looking for ways to lessen the level of "interest" in my game. I know that being a woman in a pool hall has plenty of advantages, but it also has disadvantages...

Wearing the Ipod during practice was a great idea, and I will definitely give that a shot.:cool:
 
Lodini,

As a pool player that likes to help others, and as I am a dirty old man in training...my best advice is not to shower or brush your teeth for weeks....they'll stop approaching you...

Christian
 
cmsmith9 said:
Lodini,

As a pool player that likes to help others, and as I am a dirty old man in training...my best advice is not to shower or brush your teeth for weeks....they'll stop approaching you...

Christian
Click to expand...

Now that's a pleasant thought! :eek:
 
cmsmith9 said:
Lodini,

As a pool player that likes to help others, and as I am a dirty old man in training...my best advice is not to shower or brush your teeth for weeks....they'll stop approaching you...

Christian
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I know your joking but that is very good point....

When I first started, I was not that serious about it and dressed in a manner that I know brought me some attention...short skirts and high heeled boots...though always tasteful of course ;) As I became serious about it. That all fell away. Still I see girls wearing pretty low cut tops and wonder if they have any idea just how much of view they are giving everyone....

I really can't believe that most of them really realize how much they are revealing. I would highly suggest all woman, not just look in a mirror, but bend over in your pool stance, cause you may be a little surprised.

That said, the way you dress should not really be an issue, if your a cute girl in a pool room and your actually playing, that makes you stand out no matter what you wear. I really think it is about how you carry yourself and the iPod really does give most people a clue that you do not want to be bothered......
 
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