some random league musings

[krupa]

If you can see the table, you have all the info you need to call a timeout or not. You don't need to stand up.

I try not to do anything that would indicate to my player that he's making a poor choice, but sometimes, it's just hard to tell if one ball passes another when you're practically eye-level with the table. In those cases, I typically let me shooter do whatever he's thinking then stand up for the remainder of the match.

 

[lorider]

I try not to do anything that would indicate to my player that he's making a poor choice, but sometimes, it's just hard to tell if one ball passes another when you're practically eye-level with the table. In those cases, I typically let me shooter do whatever he's thinking then stand up for the remainder of the match.

my thoughts exactly ! i was not quite sure about a few balls and so i got up to get a better view. after reading creedos post i can see where this might send the wrong signal to some people. good advice on continuing to stand.:thumbup:

tell you what i did see in an 8 ball money league a few years ago.

one of the guys standing against the wall was flashing fingers for what ball to shoot at. 1 for the 1 ball, 2 for the 2 ball et, etc,.

after i noticed it and called him out on it he went and sat down at the table with his teamates. the nerve of some people.

 

[JCMn]

In my league (M8), lower rated players (Rated 50 and under on a scale of 35 to 125) get 2 timeouts per game. Players rated over 50 get 1 timeout per game.

I can call the timeout, but I'll usually ask if they want a timeout if they are struggling with shot selection. There are times where I will ask a 2nd or 3rd time if they want a timeout. That's secret code for take a timeout or I'll call it, but I like them to call it. LOL

 

[CreeDo]

The flashing fingers is hilarious! I also like the secret codewords. I swear some people try this shit.

"So, bryan, did you ever set up that THREEsome with that neighbor chick?"

"Hey man, check out this scar on my FOREarm."

"I keep my gun in a SAFE in the bedroom. I just feel SAFEr knowing it's there, even though we live in a SAAAAAAAFFFFFEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE neighborhood." ...."GODDAMMIT JIMMY WHY'D YOU SHOOT IT"


What do you guys think about timeouts? Some players are stubborn and won't listen to good advice, though I've seen a few start out league that way, then have a change of heart. Others just seem determined to argue even though their coach is 3 levels higher, and they go with their Plan A no matter what.

Part of me just wants to say "screw it. I don't care if they like it or not. They need to stop and listen for a sec." ...but part of me also notices that some players, if they REALLY don't want to hear it, will only make a halfassed effort at following the advice. Just the fact that you called timeout dents their ego and screws up their rhythm and they're going to just miss every time.

 

[JCMn]

My team has had enough success following my coaching suggestions that they will nearly always follow my advice. I will also normally explain the shot options if there are several equal options followed by which option I would suggest. If they pick an option I'll go with it as I figure that's what they are most comfortable with. My team is pretty realistic about following advice to shoot safeties as they have seen benefit from following that advice as well as not so good results when they don't.

Also I don't take many timeouts myself, but if they suggest I take one I will and have gotten great suggestions several times. So I think they may be more willing to listen since I am also willing to listen.

Sorry for run on typing but I'm on my phone.

 

[thewhiffer]

i had a kinda interesting night at league tonight. i thought i would share it with you.

DISCLAIMER ; i aint complaining or bi***ing. all too often people come on here complaining of all kind of reasons they dont play leagues or certain leagues anyway. i just thought it might be interesting to have a thread to share some experiences you have had with out all the bashing that happens all too often on here.

i have been playing my sun night division ever since i joined apa 2 1/2 years ago so i know most evertbody and every body gets along good. well we had a new team that has been playing for awhile in another division join us.

we faced them to night and well.... lets just say it was interesting.

1st off when it got time to start i told him i was ready to begin. he stated all his players were not there. i said neither are all of mine but we both got enough to start. he had a look on his face like he did not like it but did not say anything. i won the coin flip and elected to throw 1st. this is double jeapordy btw.

the 1st 8 and 9 ball match went uneventful with them winning 8 and us 9. they throw out a 4 in 9 ball and i elect to play him. i want to let you know that i was lowered to a 4 the start of this session. still a 6 in 8 ball though.

i gotta say my opponent is in the top 3 of the best 4's i have ever faced. he played so many safes and 2 way shots it was unreal. thankfuly my kicking game has improved a lot this last year. if i had never been lowered to a 4 i could not have beat him, just eaked out a win 31-29, we won 8 ball.

now it gets interesting. during the 9 ball match my player missed a shot and left his opponent hooked. after a time out their captain coaches his player in a 2 rail kick. their player makes contact with the frozen ball and my player says bih, right ? their captain says no that was a legal hit. my player says but the ball was froze, their captain says no one called a froze ball so the shot goes to the shooter. i tell my player he is right , go ahead and shoot.

we get past that ok and move on. well their captain is a 5 in 8 ball and i throw a 5. halway through the match their captain makes a foul by hitting my players ball1st. my player says bih, right. he says no, it was a good hit. my player says no , it was obvious you hit my ball 1st. he says you did not call for an observer so the shot goes to me, that is the rule.

again i say you are right , i know the rules also but we are used to players calling fouls on theirselves in this division with the biggest grin i could muster . his eyes were shooting daggers at me :grin:.

now the last 9 ball match was just friggin unbelievable. i throw out a 4 and they throw out a 2 so they wont go over handicap. my 4 jumps out to 16-4. WOULD YOU BELIEVE MY 4 LOST TO THEIR 2 BY A SCORE OF 19- 23 ????? UN FRIGGIN BELIEVABLE !!!!

well the night ended with us winning 8 ball 3-2 and tying in 9 ball 50-50.

that was my league night. i think it would be interesting to hear about some of yours.

Lorider, I enjoyed your story and thank you for sharing it with us. Unfortunately, you cannot account for the action of others. I once played a person who I was very familiar with and would never have thought that he would cheat. I was wrong. Playing in a regional championship he had a shot that either he made a good shot or didn’t, there was no ambiguity here. He hit the object ball (very slow rate of speed) and nothing hit a rail after. I said “ball in hand’ and he said “no’. I asked once more, again he said that it was a good shot, so I accepted that with no referee the shooter was right. It was not a shot that one normally would ask a referee for and he took advantage of the situation. I was not happy but accepted it. I learned a good lesson. There are some people that would never be dishonest in the normal course of their lives that would, when in the heat of the moment and under the pressure of competition, be dishonest. I never dwelled on it except that the next time we played (in a singles competition) I asked for a full time referee and was not shy in telling my opponent that his credibility was at issue.