Pool Lessons

[TheBook]

Have any attended any of the pool schools or taken lessons from a pro? Were you satisfied with the results? Did it make a drastic improvement in your game?

 

[JDB]

Have any attended any of the pool schools or taken lessons from a pro? Were you satisfied with the results? Did it make a drastic improvement in your game?

I have had lessons with a local BCA instructor as well as a Master BCA instructor. The Master was much more expensive...lol.

I believe it was worth the money I paid for the instruction. I am still working through a lot of things and don't have enough time to practice; however, I do keep calling upon what I was taught when I am slumping.

I would definitely recommend getting instruction if you are open minded.

 

[Scott Lee]

I think that last sentence says it all!

Scott Lee
www.poolknowledge.com

 

[Onemoreyouth]

i had an excellent lesson from Mr. Lee above me. GREAT INSTRUCTOR. i dont know if he is just really used to working with people of my skill level (low levels that is), or what, but he seemed to be able to quickly assess where i was as a player and then improve me where i really needed it, for short term as well as long.

btw scott, the lessons have paid off tremendously so far.... i think i may be looking for another this summer... your definetely my first choice if your going to be in the area this summer.

 

[jungledude]

I teach pool aboard Royal Caribbean ships, next cruise from Alaska in JUne. Maybe you might want to combine a cruise vacation with some free private instruction.

 

[Banker Burt]

Question about poll

Is "Other pool school" referencing instructors either certified or just darn good teachers that have chosen not to go through an academy?

I ask this because even though the BCA Instructor program has been the mainstay for academies, there are many excellent instructors have gone through formal education or have dropped out of the BCA program.

Just need clerification before voting.

Thanks
PS I believe every player needs formal instruction unless they want to learn the hard way by going off for let's say five years.

 

[MacGyver]

I took a lesson from Mark Wilson at:

http://www.playgreatpool.com/

It was only on my fundamentals(this was when my stroke was still pretty rough)...

I was amazed at the results after just a short time... I locked in all the different parts of my stroke and it's improved my consistancy and overall play way more than I think I could have gotten any other way...

It's important to know the right way to do things imho...

I can't speak for more than just fundamentals, but even a short session should improve things dramatically if there is any inconsistancy or problems with your stroke.

 

[Brian in VA]

Lessons

I took a lesson from Scott Lee summer before last. It has improved my stroke tremendously and my game is getting better, too. My practice time is limited so I believe it's taking me longer to achieve what I want. That said, it was well worth the money and I'd pay him for a lesson every time he comes through town. I think my issue currently is my ability to maintain focus.

I'd like to point out that a lesson from anyone is not a magic bullet. It's what you do with what you learned that makes the difference in your game. I used to train adults and I can tell you that two people with the same instruction will achieve wildly different results due to application of the new behaviors or knowledge. If you aren't open to learning something from the instructor and then applying what you learned for a period of time that is long enough to make it a habit (usually 6 weeks) then lessons will probably be a waste of time for you and your instructor.

JMHO.

Brian in VA

 

[Andrew Manning]

I took a two-hour lesson from Mark Powell and Ken Harding (I hope I got their names right), BCA instructors here in Northern Virginia, after I had been playing seriously for about 9-10 months. I knew I could hit the cue-ball straight, but like any beginner I wasn't very consistant, and I knew to achieve my best I needed sound fundamentals, but I didn't really have a very good idea of what sound fundamentals are. And I feel they gave me a very solid basis of knowledge, and allowed me to practice the same fundamentals every session with confidence that those fundamentals would not be holding me back. Before the lesson, for all I knew I was just wasting my practice time teaching myself bad habits. It was definitely worth the $80 I paid. It probably would have been worthwhile at double the cost.

As far as whether it improved my game, I was improving extremely rapidly at that point anyway (or at least everyone in my league told me I was, don't want to sound like I'm just bragging), but I think the lesson helped me a lot, not because they taught me how to play better, but because they taught me about stroke and stance variables in general, why they are important, and how they applied to my natural stroke tendencies. They made my practice far more effective, and almost weekly at leagues I get compliments on my stroke.

-Andrew

 

[TheBook]

Is "Other pool school" referencing instructors either certified or just darn good teachers that have chosen not to go through an academy?

I ask this because even though the BCA Instructor program has been the mainstay for academies, there are many excellent instructors have gone through formal education or have dropped out of the BCA program.

Just need clerification before voting.

Thanks
PS I believe every player needs formal instruction unless they want to learn the hard way by going off for let's say five years.

Any pool school, clinic whatever you want to call it where the instructor is not part of the BCA instructor program.

 

[TheBook]

That is one the reasons that I am asking this question. Monday night I was watching a player on the other team. He is a 7. I am also a 7. He had one the best strokes that I have ever seen in a player. After our match, I lost 5 to 3, I complimented him on his stroke. He told me that after years he finally broke down and took a 4 hour lesson (the basic first lesson) from a BCA instructor 3 weeks ago and his stroke is the result. He said that it was difficult at first to get use to the grip. He showed me where he put a piece of tape on the butt to remind him where to grip it. He says that his shooting has become more accurate and consistant. He gave me the instructor's name and I called the next day to make a appointment. I always thought about lessons but every time I mentioned them someone would say that I don't need them, I won't benefit and etc. This guy became a believer. His regret, he waited too long. He also said that he was given a book that had a process to correct yourself when you start going back to your bad habits. He said that it was also very useful.

 

[CaptainJR]

I've done two things. I've taken lessons for over a year with a local great player, although we are taking a break right now. He helped me a LOT. Especially in position play and strategy. I also had one lesson with Shawn Putman. Shawn made a big point about a setup and stroke flaw that I had. I remembered later that my local teacher had mentioned it but I guess I was stubborn about changing. You know the old thing about old dogs learning new trick, etc. Even when Shawn said about it, I was saying back to him that I didn't know if I could change that. A couple of weeks later I made the change. In short, things got worse before they got better, but this one change has now made an enormous difference. In that when I walk up to a tough shot (especially, long distance of cue ball travel before the object ball) I can be confident to deliver the cue ball where I mean to.

So, I'd like my contribution to the thread to be. If and when you go to a school or a pro teacher. If they tell and show you something that you need to change. Something that you might even know is an old engrained habit that has become a working part of your game. Don't be afraid to make the change just because you think, why change what isn't broken. It could very likely help you in the long run.

 

[catscradle]

Have any attended any of the pool schools or taken lessons from a pro? Were you satisfied with the results? Did it make a drastic improvement in your game?

There should be a radio button "All of the above", but I checked "Other pool school" because, of all instructions I've had, that has been the most productive. Specifically, I went to Randy G's school a little over a year and dispite shortcomings of that particular session (I've discussed these with Randy) it was far and away the most productive.

 

[PoolSleuth]

I have never been to a Pool School, I have had some Professional Pointers, but not a Structured Lesson Plan/School. I also read Pool Instructional Books, watch Pool Instructional Taper, and Pool Game Tapers like Acustats. I have seen improvement in my game but have much to learn.

IMO no mater how much money you spend on Pool Instruction,Equiptemnt, if you do not Practice, and go back to your BAD Habits you will NEVER BE A Great Player.

Like I said IMO

 

[Travis Bickle]

I've taken a couple of lessons from a BCA instructor as well. Anybody who's serious about getting better should do it. For starters, there are almost surely funky things in your stroke that you'll never be sure of how to fix until you get it checked out.

 

[Scott Lee]

There should be a radio button "All of the above", but I checked "Other pool school" because, of all instructions I've had, that has been the most productive. Specifically, I went to Randy G's school a little over a year and dispite shortcomings of that particular session (I've discussed these with Randy) it was far and away the most productive.

Steve...This is exactly why The Book needs to have a catagory of BCA pool schools, since that's what Randy's school is, along with Fran Crimi, Bob Radford (Cue U), Jerry Briesath (The Pool School), etc. The only reason I don't have my own "school", is that I travel all the time, and generally work one on one. However, I have often taught with Randy at his traveling schools, and plan to do more in the future.

Scott Lee
www.poolknowledge.com

 

[ScottW]

He said that it was difficult at first to get use to the grip. He showed me where he put a piece of tape on the butt to remind him where to grip it. He says that his shooting has become more accurate and consistant.

I was shooting in a little local pool tournament last night, and met this one guy who tells me he was shooting on the pro level at one point until he had a bit of a mishap, and is trying to recover from that and get his game back. Anyhow, he mentioned my grip to me - not so much the grip itself but, like above, the spot on the cue that I was gripping it. I would generally hold it about center of the wrap, or a bit forward - he commented that at my height, I should be gripping the cue right at the *back* of the wrap. I have yet to really give this a whirl - going to see how it changes things this evening methinks.

But on the subject of instructors in general - last year I took a couple of lessons from a fellow in Denver that I met. Only twice, maybe a couple of hours each time - but damn, if the few things he told me didn't help a *lot*.

I have to say - if you have access to an instructor (a *good* one), and the means to pay for the lessons - it's worth it. Having someone watching you from the outside is a perspective you can *never* get on your own.

I'm also pondering taking one of Tom Simpson's clinics later in the year. I've heard good things about his clinics.

 

[TheBook]

Steve...This is exactly why The Book needs to have a catagory of BCA pool schools, since that's what Randy's school is, along with Fran Crimi, Bob Radford (Cue U), Jerry Briesath (The Pool School), etc. The only reason I don't have my own "school", is that I travel all the time, and generally work one on one. However, I have often taught with Randy at his traveling schools, and plan to do more in the future.

Scott Lee
www.poolknowledge.com

Apparently BCA instructors and BCA pool schools aren't the same. I thought they were.

 

[Wally in Cincy]

I also took a 4-hour lesson from Scott Lee and he improved my game at least 20% after a few weeks of working on what he showed me.

Well worth the time and money.

 

[Jigger]

Hi Scott -- Do you have any plans for lessons in the Kansas City area?? If not, an instructor you would reccomend??