A month or two ago I asked if the Legends and Champions would be headed to South Florida, so when Mark Cantrill (tour promoter) announced a few weeks later that the tour would stop in Miami (my hometown), I was committed.
I attended the Legends and Champions Pool Tour with Johnny Archer and Nick Varner yesterday, and thought I'd do a quick review for everyone.
To be honest, I was a little hesitant to pop off $200 bucks on a pool school without knowing the course outline. Several advanced players questioned whether I'd get my money's worth as well. I'm not a beginner, but while I am capable of breaking and running a few racks of 9 ball, I don't get there often enough. Mark assured me that a couple members of the Hall of Fame could help.
The students/players showed up early to warm up, and Johnny and Nick quickly sized our skill levels up.
I know the guys cover fundamentals, aiming, etc- whatever the group dynamic dictates. In this case, they felt like we could work on other things.
Johnny came up to me and quickly identified a stroking flaw and suggested several ways to fix it and to become aware of it- really good info. He then asked what I wanted to learn and suggested that we play a 9 ball race and discuss the games as we played. Johnny's
"handicap" was that he share his thought process and shot selection: "I could shoot this way, but 'x' might happen; I get out more often if I shoot this instead." (Now I can say that I got in Johnny Archer's head while we played!)
Towards the end of my time with Johnny we had lunch. Now, I'd have rather gnawed my arm off than take a lunch break, but hey- who was I to deny "The Scorpion" his french fries?
After lunch, Nick also asked what I'd like to learn.
The Accu-Stats Varner vs. Hopkins 100 minute rack of 1 pocket (1991 Legends of One Pocket C1P-05) is one of my favorite battles and exhibitions of mental toughness ever, so we started with a brief discussion about "mental toughness."
From there, Nick and I also shot some 9 ball, with the Hall of Famer sharing thoughts on shot selection, kicking, safeties, etc.
Nick busted out his newest product, the "Total Shot Trainer" kit to teach about angles, tangents, etc. It can be found on his website at http://nickvarner.com/store/comersus_viewItem.asp?idProduct=1047. There's a little more information on the trainer here: http://bebobpublishing.com/mainindex.htm
Nick's probably had a bit more experience teaching but the time with both champions was well spent and really flew by. They were both friendly and seemed to enjoy being out on the road promoting pool. Shoot- Johnny even helped me set up my video camera so I could review the lesson- and by "help" I mean that Johnny Archer climbed up on the adjacent pool table to make sure my camera had a good angle for taping!
Now- sure the guys are nice, but was it worth $200?
I've got to say that being able to learn the patterns and thought processes of these champions was worth it. I can make balls, but I left with several things that I know will improve my game if I take advantage of them and practice (Yes, they each left me with a couple of drills to work on to improve problem areas.) Going through the racks really helped elevate my thinking at the table.
I have always loved the game, but these guys know how to light a fire.
Thanks again Nick and Johnny for making the trip.
(And thank you for taking the time to read my post).
I attended the Legends and Champions Pool Tour with Johnny Archer and Nick Varner yesterday, and thought I'd do a quick review for everyone.
To be honest, I was a little hesitant to pop off $200 bucks on a pool school without knowing the course outline. Several advanced players questioned whether I'd get my money's worth as well. I'm not a beginner, but while I am capable of breaking and running a few racks of 9 ball, I don't get there often enough. Mark assured me that a couple members of the Hall of Fame could help.
The students/players showed up early to warm up, and Johnny and Nick quickly sized our skill levels up.
I know the guys cover fundamentals, aiming, etc- whatever the group dynamic dictates. In this case, they felt like we could work on other things.
Johnny came up to me and quickly identified a stroking flaw and suggested several ways to fix it and to become aware of it- really good info. He then asked what I wanted to learn and suggested that we play a 9 ball race and discuss the games as we played. Johnny's
"handicap" was that he share his thought process and shot selection: "I could shoot this way, but 'x' might happen; I get out more often if I shoot this instead." (Now I can say that I got in Johnny Archer's head while we played!)
Towards the end of my time with Johnny we had lunch. Now, I'd have rather gnawed my arm off than take a lunch break, but hey- who was I to deny "The Scorpion" his french fries?
After lunch, Nick also asked what I'd like to learn.
The Accu-Stats Varner vs. Hopkins 100 minute rack of 1 pocket (1991 Legends of One Pocket C1P-05) is one of my favorite battles and exhibitions of mental toughness ever, so we started with a brief discussion about "mental toughness."
From there, Nick and I also shot some 9 ball, with the Hall of Famer sharing thoughts on shot selection, kicking, safeties, etc.
Nick busted out his newest product, the "Total Shot Trainer" kit to teach about angles, tangents, etc. It can be found on his website at http://nickvarner.com/store/comersus_viewItem.asp?idProduct=1047. There's a little more information on the trainer here: http://bebobpublishing.com/mainindex.htm
Nick's probably had a bit more experience teaching but the time with both champions was well spent and really flew by. They were both friendly and seemed to enjoy being out on the road promoting pool. Shoot- Johnny even helped me set up my video camera so I could review the lesson- and by "help" I mean that Johnny Archer climbed up on the adjacent pool table to make sure my camera had a good angle for taping!
Now- sure the guys are nice, but was it worth $200?
I've got to say that being able to learn the patterns and thought processes of these champions was worth it. I can make balls, but I left with several things that I know will improve my game if I take advantage of them and practice (Yes, they each left me with a couple of drills to work on to improve problem areas.) Going through the racks really helped elevate my thinking at the table.
I have always loved the game, but these guys know how to light a fire.
Thanks again Nick and Johnny for making the trip.
(And thank you for taking the time to read my post).
