Pool Secrets NOT revealed...(has this ever happened to you?)

CurvedCue

CurvedCue

Registered
So I'm practicing, setting up drills and shots from a book, when one of the strongest players in my pool hall comes over and says: "Hey, let me give you some advice." Then he pauses. And I'm waiting on tenterhooks, thinking: Is he gonna tell me how to do 3-cushion kick shots? A Jump-draw? An eight-ball break that'll pocket 4 balls every time? How to calculate bank shots like a pro? How to know for certain when to shoot at 7:38 vs. 3:15 on the CB? Please God YES!

Naaah.

He has me shoot two ridiculously easy shots and says: "You need to keep your head down."

Then walks away.

Okay, we all have our bad habits. But seriously??? :rolleyes:

I mean that's like Stephen King spotting a struggling writer in a coffee shop and then coming over and saying: "Let me give you some advice." Struggling writer, wide-eyed, not even daring to swallow the Cappuccino that's scalding the inside of his mouth, waits, thinking King will tell him how to organize a plot, create riveting characters, when to use a mixed metaphor, why sometimes you have to avoid alliterations, etc, etc...

NO.

Instead..

King says: "You need to type more softly."

Then walks away.

Ok, like, if I ever become a really good player I never gonna do that. :indecisive:

PS -- I think really good players have forgotten (or perhaps never knew!) what it's like to be someone who's struggling to learn the finer points of the game. It's like their knowledge has become so instinctive that they can't communicate it, hence the best thing they can say is something like: "Don't use a warped cue." Or "Keep your head down." Or the perennial favorite: "Don't miss."

PPS -- Imagine Michael Phelps trying to teach swimming. Novice swimmer: "How do I swim like you?" Phelps: "Swim fast."

PPPS -- Lest anyone think the guy was jerking me around -- he wasn't. He was sincere about helping me out. It's just that the wide gap between where he is and where I am seems to create a language barrier. haha. ;)
 
Last edited:
Sounds like good advice to me.

There are no secrets; with all cue sports I find it's generally a case of doing the basics as well as you possibly can, and then trying to do them better. Once you can do that, then worry about the other stuff.

Things like staying down on the shot and keeping your head still aren't in themselves going to make you a good player, but you'll struggle to be a good player without them. Forget the secrets, worry about the fundamentals and practice.
 
You Miss too much

Curved Cue,
Mosconi told a friend of mine...you miss too much....the guy missed one ball during a nights play.....lots of help.

Yeah pool players a lot of time cant tell you how they do what they do and its frustrating to people who want to improve their games.

Equally frustrating is when you do know and no one cares...testosterone blindness....lots of that because people end up reasoning out things their own way and think its the only way...but yet they miss a lot.

I spend a lot of time analyzing things of this nature so I will know and can tell people how to do certain things but yet I do it pretty much for me, because obviously everyone else already knows or has a strong opinion on how much they know.

Perception is everything in you have to find easier and finer visualization methods to make yourself able to make better and more consistent shots and banks. The more consistent methods you have that blend in more accuracy as easy as possible the better you can learn the other facets of the game, stroke speed and spin.

If you can make balls, then the rest of the game opens up to you as you do. Its a simple game. Make ball, go to other ball, make ball, the way you go is yours to choose or is it? If you can choose the correct path in rotation games aren't they all rotation games of a sort regardless of numerical number or color? One comes after the other and bumping balls apart or safeties becomes the skill.

So Make More Balls, it will make you align yourself correctly which helps your whole game. Sounds silly doesn't it? Its true.
 
"Srand like a statue"
And
"Slowdown your backswing"

Best advices i ever been told!

And the first things im looking for uf im working with s new student.

Gesendet von meinem GT-I9100 mit Tapatalk 2
 
Listen to him!

I think you have taken his action of coming to you and giving advice out of context.

Here is why I say this....

About a year ago ,I had an "A" speed that plays for money come up to me and said the same thing. I thought ,"well duhhhhhh!!" I'll have to remember that. :rolleyes:
here's the thing.
This guy NEVER talked to me,(or anyone) concerning advice. The only time he spoke was what game, what odds & how much.

The fact that he said anything to you should be a hint to you that he has noticed your serious attempt(s) to improve !! :cool:

In my case, he later came and gave me some advice that was pure GOLD concerning defensive play, and when/how to apply it.
If I were you: I would keep on playing/learning like you have been, and wait for what he has to say to you next. :cool:
 
CurvedCue said:
So I'm practicing, setting up drills and shots from a book, when one of the strongest players in my pool hall comes over and says: "Hey, let me give you some advice." Then he pauses. And I'm waiting on tenterhooks, thinking: Is he gonna tell me how to do 3-cushion kick shots? A Jump-draw? An eight-ball break that'll pocket 4 balls every time? How to calculate bank shots like a pro? How to know for certain when to shoot at 7:38 vs. 3:15 on the CB? Please God YES!

Naaah.

He has me shoot two ridiculously easy shots and says: "You need to keep your head down."

Then walks away.

Okay, we all have our bad habits. But seriously??? :rolleyes:

I mean that's like Stephen King spotting a struggling writer in a coffee shop and then coming over and saying: "Let me give you some advice." Struggling writer, wide-eyed, not even daring to swallow the Cappuccino that's scalding the inside of his mouth, waits, thinking King will tell him how to organize a plot, create riveting characters, when to use a mixed metaphor, why sometimes you have to avoid alliterations, etc, etc...

NO.

Instead..

King says: "You need to type more softly."

Then walks away.

Ok, like, if I ever become a really good player I never gonna do that. :indecisive:

PS -- I think really good players have forgotten (or perhaps never knew!) what it's like to be someone who's struggling to learn the finer points of the game. It's like their knowledge has become so instinctive that they can't communicate it, hence the best thing they can say is something like: "Don't use a warped cue." Or "Keep your head down." Or the perennial favorite: "Don't miss."

PPS -- Imagine Michael Phelps trying to teach swimming. Novice swimmer: "How do I swim like you?" Phelps: "Swim fast."

PPPS -- Lest anyone think the guy was jerking me around -- he wasn't. He was sincere about helping me out. It's just that the wide gap between where he is and where I am seems to create a language barrier. haha. ;)
Click to expand...

Over my last 30 years journey with pool i heard a lot, this one (keep head down) i find out it gets copied over and over again, instructors, pros, average players all say it to each other. The unfortunate truth, it is not the right thing to say, you really cannot do on purpose consistently; but lots of pros know the real deal but either do not want to tell you, or they really do not know how to tell you. The fact is, if you follow through there is no way in hell you will lift your head, especially if you extended your follow through (actually you miss because you did not follow through-not because you lift your head). Plus like Dr, Dave and others say the tip stays in touch with CB fraction of a second, so even if you lift your head it wont matter. Few other things in pool like this, secrets or people just do not know how to explain it. Another one comes to mind is "do drills" to get better, or shoot racks of 9 balls; those two are way advanced techniques; IMO, is torture to the want to be players, with all due respect to all that say them, and there is more efficient way to practice, is subject for another post.
 
naji said:
Over my last 30 years journey with pool i heard a lot, this one (keep head down) i find out it gets copied over and over again, instructors, pros, average players all say it to each other. The unfortunate truth, it is not the right thing to say, you really cannot do on purpose consistently; but lots of pros know the real deal but either do not want to tell you, or they really do not know how to tell you. The fact is, if you follow through there is no way in hell you will lift your head, especially if you extended your follow through (actually you miss because you did not follow through-not because you lift your head). Plus like Dr, Dave and others say the tip stays in touch with CB fraction of a second, so even if you lift your head it wont matter. Few other things in pool like this, secrets or people just do not know how to explain it. Another one comes to mind is "do drills" to get better, or shoot racks of 9 balls; those two are way advanced techniques; IMO, is torture to the want to be players, with all due respect to all that say them, and there is more efficient way to practice, is subject for another post.
Click to expand...
So are you saying people shouldn't be concerned with lifting their head when down on a shot? Are you high? Can I get your dealers number?

Lifting your head at any point during a shot escalates throughout the entire body. A slight movement upwards with the head means a slight movement in the shoulder, which means your whole arm moves and you don't hit the white where you intended.

If you concentrate on just keeping the head perfectly still, and you have a solid base then you will keep still during the stroke and stand a greater chance of hitting the white where you intend.

Why would the guy teach you how to jump-draw or 3 rail kick a ball when you can't keep your head still? Trying to run before you can walk comes to mind. He spotted a blatant fault with you, tried helping you out, and you log into AZB and create a thread showing how ungrateful you are. Take his advice and run with it or don't, and keep scratching your head wondering why you can't improve. Your choice buddy.
 
CurvedCue said:
So I'm practicing, setting up drills and shots from a book, when one of the strongest players in my pool hall comes over and says: "Hey, let me give you some advice." Then he pauses. And I'm waiting on tenterhooks, thinking: Is he gonna tell me how to do 3-cushion kick shots? A Jump-draw? An eight-ball break that'll pocket 4 balls every time? How to calculate bank shots like a pro? How to know for certain when to shoot at 7:38 vs. 3:15 on the CB? Please God YES!

Naaah.

He has me shoot two ridiculously easy shots and says: "You need to keep your head down."

Then walks away.

Okay, we all have our bad habits. But seriously??? :rolleyes:

I mean that's like Stephen King spotting a struggling writer in a coffee shop and then coming over and saying: "Let me give you some advice." Struggling writer, wide-eyed, not even daring to swallow the Cappuccino that's scalding the inside of his mouth, waits, thinking King will tell him how to organize a plot, create riveting characters, when to use a mixed metaphor, why sometimes you have to avoid alliterations, etc, etc...

NO.

Instead..

King says: "You need to type more softly."

Then walks away.

Ok, like, if I ever become a really good player I never gonna do that. :indecisive:

PS -- I think really good players have forgotten (or perhaps never knew!) what it's like to be someone who's struggling to learn the finer points of the game. It's like their knowledge has become so instinctive that they can't communicate it, hence the best thing they can say is something like: "Don't use a warped cue." Or "Keep your head down." Or the perennial favorite: "Don't miss."

PPS -- Imagine Michael Phelps trying to teach swimming. Novice swimmer: "How do I swim like you?" Phelps: "Swim fast."

PPPS -- Lest anyone think the guy was jerking me around -- he wasn't. He was sincere about helping me out. It's just that the wide gap between where he is and where I am seems to create a language barrier. haha. ;)
Click to expand...

Sorry, you're wrong for not being humble. Willie Hoppe called me an inferior player because I wanted to shape my tip after miscuing. Best advice I have ever gotten. Forced me to examine my fundamental routine from top-to-bottom, making me a much better player.
 
Maybe you should try to keep your head down. Try keeping your bridge hand on the table until the cb stops rolling or you are forced to move it.

Fixing a fundamental flaw will improve your game. Take the advice to heart and apply it. The next tidbit you get from this guy might be more to your liking if you take the first to heart.

:cool:
 
As others said, it is a basic building block for good pool. If you don't have it then you need it.
Imagine Michael phelps not telling a swimmer to keep his legs straight...
 
Pidge said:
So are you saying people shouldn't be concerned with lifting their head when down on a shot? Are you high? Can I get your dealers number?

Lifting your head at any point during a shot escalates throughout the entire body. A slight movement upwards with the head means a slight movement in the shoulder, which means your whole arm moves and you don't hit the white where you intended.

If you concentrate on just keeping the head perfectly still, and you have a solid base then you will keep still during the stroke and stand a greater chance of hitting the white where you intend.

Why would the guy teach you how to jump-draw or 3 rail kick a ball when you can't keep your head still? Trying to run before you can walk comes to mind. He spotted a blatant fault with you, tried helping you out, and you log into AZB and create a thread showing how ungrateful you are. Take his advice and run with it or don't, and keep scratching your head wondering why you can't improve. Your choice buddy.
Click to expand...

Many people can't listen to good advice. Sounds like the OP has an inflated view of this own abilities to me.

As for Naji, he's always alluding to some secret BS or other, yet never says what it is. Draw your own conclusions...
 
CurvedCue said:
So I'm practicing, setting up drills and shots from a book, when one of the strongest players in my pool hall comes over and says: "Hey, let me give you some advice." Then he pauses. And I'm waiting on tenterhooks, thinking: Is he gonna tell me how to do 3-cushion kick shots? A Jump-draw? An eight-ball break that'll pocket 4 balls every time? How to calculate bank shots like a pro? How to know for certain when to shoot at 7:38 vs. 3:15 on the CB? Please God YES!

Naaah.

He has me shoot two ridiculously easy shots and says: "You need to keep your head down."

Then walks away.

Okay, we all have our bad habits. But seriously??? :rolleyes:

I mean that's like Stephen King spotting a struggling writer in a coffee shop and then coming over and saying: "Let me give you some advice." Struggling writer, wide-eyed, not even daring to swallow the Cappuccino that's scalding the inside of his mouth, waits, thinking King will tell him how to organize a plot, create riveting characters, when to use a mixed metaphor, why sometimes you have to avoid alliterations, etc, etc...

NO.

Instead..

King says: "You need to type more softly."

Then walks away.

Ok, like, if I ever become a really good player I never gonna do that. :indecisive:

PS -- I think really good players have forgotten (or perhaps never knew!) what it's like to be someone who's struggling to learn the finer points of the game. It's like their knowledge has become so instinctive that they can't communicate it, hence the best thing they can say is something like: "Don't use a warped cue." Or "Keep your head down." Or the perennial favorite: "Don't miss."

PPS -- Imagine Michael Phelps trying to teach swimming. Novice swimmer: "How do I swim like you?" Phelps: "Swim fast."

PPPS -- Lest anyone think the guy was jerking me around -- he wasn't. He was sincere about helping me out. It's just that the wide gap between where he is and where I am seems to create a language barrier. haha. ;)
Click to expand...

Maybe that is the secret you needed right then. The one that makes the rest of your game easier.

Wax on wax off.
 
If he came up to you an said you need to keep your head down, why are you taking offense to that. He probably saw you lifting your head while you thought it was staying down. Lots of time someone else can see a basic flaw when you can't.---Smitty
 
Pathetic Shark said:
Many people can't listen to good advice. Sounds like the OP has an inflated view of this own abilities to me.

As for Naji, he's always alluding to some secret BS or other, yet never says what it is. Draw your own conclusions...
Click to expand...
Yeah exactly. Pisses me off when players, of all abilities think they're too good to take constructive criticism and sound advice. I got approached by an old boy at the pool hall once after I made a length of the table screw back...English pool table of course ;) he asked me how I did it, I said it was down to having a straight stroke and cueing right through it. It wasn't a good enough answer for him and he called BS! I watched him shoot some balls in and his stroke reminded me of someone stabbing holes in a Indian takeaway ready meal from Asda before they put it in the microwave...! Some people think there is a whole bunch of secrets people are holding back from us...nah. There isn't any secrets in pool; that goes for jump-draw shots, multi rail banks and kicks or deep screw. People will have you believe there is just so they can flog a few DVDs though.
 
There's a guy in my room that's a very good money player, he's been at it for decades and once competed for years in trick shot tournaments.

I can't stand the guy. He'll sit around with weak C players all day long, beating the snot out of them in 9 ball (the only game he'll allow you to play with him), and then have them stand there and congratulate him as he shoots a ton of kick shots (he's a great kicker) in a row under the guise of 'teaching' them how to shoot kick shots.

He'll explain to these players that can't consistently shoot a straight in 6 foot shot that "it's all really so simple" and "don't you have a system for that?" Or it's "Wait, you don't know how to shoot that shot?" Then it's "So I have to make this one, so I just look here, and one, two diamonds. And then it goes in."

I can't stand the guy. Showboatin' around these weak players, and they're all convinced they're improving and he's teaching them, when all he's doing is showing off and detailing a vague system that isn't accurate (since people like him kick by feel and learned experience), and frankly is not useful for a weak player.

So what I'm saying to the OP is, keep your damn head down! Incorporate pauses! Clear your mind! Learn to turn on your subconscious and turn off the world on cue! Once you're a great shot-maker, become a mad daemon about cue ball position, focus on it until you're nearly insane, play for months without allowing yourself to use English in order to learn how easy it is to gain shape and aim cut shots with subtle variations of top and bottom.

3 rail kicks and jump-draw are generally for pro's getting out of traps in 9 ball and 1 pocket, and kids that can't play shape or patterns. All in all, I think he gave you great advice. You think you need secret advanced knowledge -- what you really need is a foundation and consistency so you can acquire the tricks of the trade on your own. You should be thankful that he tipped you off to the fact that you're not quite there yet, that there's room to become more "solid." That's real secret advice, informing a player of something they're doing that he or she is not even aware of. It's hard to know otherwise.
 
Last edited:
Pidge said:
Yeah exactly. Pisses me off when players, of all abilities think they're too good to take constructive criticism and sound advice. I got approached by an old boy at the pool hall once after I made a length of the table screw back...English pool table of course ;) he asked me how I did it, I said it was down to having a straight stroke and cueing right through it. It wasn't a good enough answer for him and he called BS! I watched him shoot some balls in and his stroke reminded me of someone stabbing holes in a Indian takeaway ready meal from Asda before they put it in the microwave...! Some people think there is a whole bunch of secrets people are holding back from us...nah. There isn't any secrets in pool; that goes for jump-draw shots, multi rail banks and kicks or deep screw. People will have you believe there is just so they can flog a few DVDs though.
Click to expand...

Lol at the microwave curry stroke. We've all been there :embarrassed2:

I think people confuse 'secrets' with 'technique'. Technique can be taught and learned, but it can developed naturally too, through practice. How quickly and naturally your technique improves is down to natural ability. Those that need to be told to do something as elementary as keeping their head still are going to need all the instruction they can get, and should be grateful for it.
 
RedEyeJedi said:
There's a guy in my room that's a very good money player, he's been at it for decades and once competed for years in trick shot tournaments.

I can't stand the guy. He'll sit around with weak C players all day long, beating the snot out of them in 9 ball (the only game he'll allow you to play with him), and then have them stand there and congratulate him as he shoots a ton of kick shots (he's a great kicker) in a row under the guise of 'teaching' them how to shoot kick shots.

He'll explain to these players that can't consistently shoot a straight in 6 foot shot that "it's all really so simple" and "don't you have a system for that?" Or it's "Wait, you don't know how to shoot that shot?" Then it's "So I have to make this one, so I just look here, and one, two diamonds. And then it goes in."

I can't stand the guy. Showboatin' around these weak players, and they're all convinced they're improving and he's teaching them, when all he's doing is showing off and detailing a vague system that isn't accurate (since people like him kick by feel and learned experience), and frankly is not useful for a weak player.

So what I'm saying to the OP is, keep your damn head down! Incorporate pauses! Clear your mind! Learn to turn on your subconscious and turn off the world on cue! Once you're a great shot-maker, become a mad daemon about cue ball position, focus on it until you're nearly insane, play for months without allowing yourself to use English in order to learn how easy it is to gain shape and aim cut shots with subtle variations of top and bottom.

3 rail kicks and jump-draw are generally for pro's getting out of traps in 9 ball and 1 pocket, and kids that can't play shape or patterns. All in all, I think he gave you great advice. You think you need secret advanced knowledge -- what you really need is a foundation and consistency so you can acquire the tricks of the trade on your own.
Click to expand...

Do you really break with a peach & 314-2 shaft? :eek:
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top