Pool Lessons

[Barbara]

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?

Book,

It all depends on what you're looking for. Do you want to bone up on your mechanics? Do you want to learn certain types of shots or strategies or a particular game?


I've done it all. I started out asking Dawn Hopkins to help me with my game because I was hitting a wall. Well, it turned out that my mechanics were all screwed up so we worked on that for a good bit. Then I wanted to learn drills and shots for playing 9-ball, so I went to RI and spent a weekend in private lessons with Joe Tucker. Then RandyG's Pool School went on the road to CT and I decided to check it out. I hit on a bad problem during Pool School that no one there could really help me with, so I sought out advice from Fran Crimi.

It's all worked for me.

You just have to figure out what you're looking for.

Barbara

 

[scottycoyote]

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

hey scott are you going to be at randys school in charlotte nc this coming fall. I hope so, i attended his advanced school last year and it has improved my game tremendously, him and steve has alot of good things to say about you, im coming back this year for the expert and bringing 2 friends for the advanced, hope you can make it, i love learning from new people.

 

[iacas]

My thoughts are summarized here. I took a class with Tom Simpson, Master BCA Instructor. Three days. It was money well spent!

I also have eight more scheduled (roughly one per month) with a local guy.

 

[Cardinal2B]

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.

Both the tape on the handle - I use a rubber band - and the book - sounds like Cue U where I went (you can find my long review on a thread here on AZ by searching). But, I also waited too long. I also have a friend who went earlier in his development, and he was able to pick up on the stroke fundamentals very rapidly, and he's a very good player now.
I'm having to fight off some bad habits, and I've found I can only break one at a time (since I've got at least 5 or 6 to work on, it'll be a while). But, I've assimilated 2 of their fundamentals to the point they are more natural & relaxed than what I used to do...and, it is making a difference in consistency of game.
When I attended, most of class were pretty low skill level / experience, but one other guy was an APA 7 (which varies from place to place I know, but he was a real fine player) - and he too had some problems learning new tricks. Fundamentals are, I think, better learned early on! Go for it.

 

[rackmsuckr]

Lessons are definitely worth it! There is so much to learn in this game that lessons can cut off years of whacking the ball and still not ever learning a particular principle. There are secrets to the game that not a lot of people are willing to share.

One thing I would advise, is to be prepared for your game to go down a little as you implement new things, but then once you have mastered them, your game will go up to an even higher level.

I remember about 18 years ago, trying to get a lesson from Dan Louie. It was when I was switching over from 8 foot 8-ball with a big cueball to 9 foot 9-ball with a small cueball. I realized I would have to learn how to swing around the rails. When I asked Dan, he said just hit a million of them and find out. I said that was what I was paying him for! lol

Make sure your instructor gives you things to work on, but doesn't leave you for a half hour hitting a ball to the end rail while he goes and has coffee. You can do drills at home! Your time should be 80-90% instruction during the lesson; you can fine tune the concepts on your own time.

The instructor should have several methods to teach - visual, audio, and kinesthetic. Also, different ways to get a point across - like 3-4 different ways to bank a ball, so that you can find the one that you like the best. Recording you with a camcorder is great.

They should be able to assess your game and where you are at with ball speed, position play, patterns, safeties, and take you to the next level.

And lastly, make sure the instructor stresses good fundamentals - stroke, stance, grip, bridge, aim, etc.

Yes, I definitely recommend lessons!

 

[CaptiveBred]

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?

You left out option 5 -

have never taken lessons but would from the right person.


I'd take lessons from Efren in a heartbeat but not the local BCA instructor here (at least the one I know about)


Anyways, I'd have voted but none of the options represent my situation.

 

[Scott Lee]

To Jigger...Yes, I come to Kansas City. Email me for more information: poolology@aol.com. Be sure to put something in the message box to indicate lessons, and I'll get right back to you.

To ScottW...Yes, I am planning to be in Charlotte with Randy, Bob, and Steve. I had planned to be there last Oct., but had to opt out at the last minute.

Scott Lee
www.poolknowledge.com

 

[travis trotter]

pool lessons

allison fisher gives pool lessons too

thanks

 

[wahcheck]

lessons from a pro level player

Funny no one has mentioned this, but I took a few lessons from a couple of pro or near pro-level type shooters a long time ago, and was left somewhat frustrated....why? Well, as I should have known; just because somebody does something well, doesn't mean they will be a good teacher.....anyway, I felt like I didn't really get what I paid for, but the lesson here is to make sure who you're taking lessons from is really a good teacher, regardless of whether he or she is a pro or pro-level player......

 

[cfrandy]

Something no one has mention here is the idea of learning, from books and videos too. I have found that the material by Robert Byrnes to be especially useful. Having something you can continually refer to is invaluable.
I wonder how many people actually take the time to read the BCA's "Official Rules & Records Book"?

 

[Onemoreyouth]

"Having something you can continually refer to is invaluable." -- you should know that scott tapes all of his sessions and mails them to you afterwards!

this has been a great thing for me. to see where my stroke was and is....


heres a question... i'm having some problems with power draw shots and my break on 9ball (not that i'm using a power draw shot for 9)... i have the capabilities to video myself and email to somebody if theres anybody interested in taking a look at a 5 minute video and giving me what they thought was wrong....

could be a whole new way to get coaching if you anybody else can email videos online....

 

[ScottW]

heres a question... i'm having some problems with power draw shots and my break on 9ball (not that i'm using a power draw shot for 9)... i have the capabilities to video myself and email to somebody if theres anybody interested in taking a look at a 5 minute video and giving me what they thought was wrong....

Well, earlier in the thread I mentioned this one guy telling me that he thought I was gripping the cue too far up. I'd generally grip around the middle, maybe a little farther up from the middle, of the wrap. He said to try gripping it at the bottom end of the wrap.

I'll tell you - this has helped my stroke in a big way, when I can get it to work like I want (and not just jab at it) - including getting more draw. Having my hand farther back means I can put more power into the shot. I went out and shot for a while tonight, consciously trying to change my grip when appropriate, and it seems to be working nicely for me.

Give that a shot, and see if it helps. Shoot a couple or three shots like you normally would, then hold up your cue and see just where you're gripping it. Then grip it closer to the bottom, try again. How far down you grip will depend on your height - I'm 5'11" so this guy said that my height was a factor, and to grip it at the bottom of the wrap. You are probably shorter/taller so adjust accordingly.

 

[CaptiveBred]

i have the capabilities to video myself and email to somebody if theres anybody interested in taking a look at a 5 minute video and giving me what they thought was wrong....

Upload it to putfile.com and post the link. We can all see it easy that way. You will get some good advice, I suspect...

 

[Williebetmore]

If you are striving to become a great player, then becoming a student of the game is the best way to get there if you wish to do it quickly.

- Buy every book on pool, read them, memorize them (some of the contents are not accurate, but you can discard that portion later when you figure out which parts are garbage).

- Take lessons from a good technical instructor - preferably a "stroke guru" who will place you on the path to a solid, repeatable, precise, pressure-resistant stroke.

-Take lessons from a top pro (or three). It is definitely affordable if you want it badly enough. I promise you players like George Breedlove, Jeanette Lee, Helena Thornfeldt, Allison Fisher, Danny DiLiberto, SJM, and Grady Mathews will teach you physics, shots, and strategies you've never seen in any book. Hell, it's even possible some of their attitude and enthusiasm may even rub off on you (or of course you may just quit the game realizing you will never get to their level).

- Buy and memorize all of the Accu-Stats player review tapes (all disciplines).

- Match-up (and sweat matches) for dollars with top players and shortstops (this is the area that keeps me from being a true student of the game - no time for this).

- Hang out on AZB. You will meet some great and enthusiastic student's of the game.

-Practice regularly and PROPERLY. Buy your own table (so I can come over and play).

For the price of ONE top-of-the-line custom cue you can do ALL of the above (well, except for the "buy a table" advice).

 

[TheBook]

I just completed that first class with a BCA recognized instructor. Everyone always told me what a great stroke I have but I knew there were flaws and it could be improved. After doing the evaluation shots the instructor went over the correct way to stoke. I started to laugh. The instructor looked and asked what is so funny. I said that I can see that I am not doing anything right. I knew that I had some flaws right there. The real surprise was when I seen my alignment on the video. If my car was that bad out of alignment I could not pull out of my driveway. I have a lot to work on, never realized how many things are involved in a great stroke.

I have used all of the methods such as the bottle. line on the table and etc. Yes I can make the cue go down that line and into the bottle. The problem is you can do these things and have bad alignment and faulty stroke fundamentals. I have many books and videos but what I was taught is not in any books or videos that I have.

Respecting the BCA instructors plus my time and money spent I will not share this information. I think that I am also being foolish by telling everyone that it worth taking these lessons because it will make the competition tougher but I feel that most won't do it and if they do, it will make the game better for all to enjoy.

 

[JoeyA]

JR, what is it that you were doing before Shawn suggested the correction and what was Shawn's suggestion or what is it that you now do on long tough shots to help you pocket the object ball?

Thanks for your response.
Warm Regards,
JoeyA

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.

 

[Scott Lee]

Respecting the BCA instructors plus my time and money spent I will not share this information. I think that I am also being foolish by telling everyone that it worth taking these lessons because it will make the competition tougher but I feel that most won't do it and if they do, it will make the game better for all to enjoy.

Just so you know, there are NO secrets in pool, and all of us instructors generally will answer questions, and share anything we know, with whoever wants to read it. There is often a big difference between reading something, and getting one-to-one help with it's application for a individual.

Scott Lee
www.poolknowledge.com

 

[Onemoreyouth]

i will post a video by the end of next week hopefully....

williebet... i'm currently working on a few books... although to shave costs i'm checking them out from the library(yes they have them!)

i'm going through 10 shots a night on the 99 critical shots in pool right now... its already helped a ton to help me understand particular shots.

as soon as its finished i'm starting on winning pocket billiards by desmond allen.


and as i stated... i intend to take more lessons from scott this summer...

oh and scott.... this is logan brown... that terrible high school kid you had to deal with a few summers ago!

 

[TheBook]

Just so you know, there are NO secrets in pool, and all of us instructors generally will answer questions, and share anything we know, with whoever wants to read it. There is often a big difference between reading something, and getting one-to-one help with it's application for a individual.

Scott Lee
www.poolknowledge.com

Thanks Scott

You are right. I was reading the Pro Book last night and there was a lot of the stuff that I was taught about the stroke in that book but it is easy to pass over and not think that it is important. Even though that stuff is in the book it is hard to really discribe without a lot of pictures and having someone correct you.

So I should have said that I do not really have the capability or time to really get into the all the little details that I picked up.

Considering the cost and time spent it was not much more than what I would have spent on table time and another book or video. I got a lot more out of my $100 than I would have at the local casino.

 

[JimS]

I've spent time with Scott. He's the real deal and will ALWAYS treat you with respect. He's a fine player and an experienced and skilled teacher. You can trust him.

I also took a lesson from Mark Wilson and would recommend him as well as Frank "Sailor" Stellman in Racine.