Style or distinctive advantage?

[bandido]

Hi Mark,
Remember me? McDermott Tour Stop at the Lion's Den in Las Vegas 1996. You had me pounding your tip with a hammer on that concrete floor before putting it on your stick. That sure was a funny sight to behold, the two of us taking turns at hammering that tip.LOL

Great to know that you're well and contributing to this forum. You're a strong one Mark!

 

[lewdo26]

Thanks

I haven't checked this thread since yesterday and it sure has some interesting posts. Thanks sjm, Mark Tadd, Celtic, Fred and the others. I really like the point that Celtic made about outside english allowing for a thicker hit on cutshots. sjm's point on outside english allowing for a softer hit on many cuts (if it coincides with running english off the 1st rail, I'm guessing) is also very good. Thanks, fellas. Unfortunately, I wasn't able to follow what Mark Tadd said since the wei table doesn't work on my computer. Can anyone do a pictorial for me? Since many of you experienced players are singing praises for Tadd (and not only outside english on cuts), it's imperative that I see his diagram.
Also, sjm, I'd like to hear from you on the original question of this thread since you've witnessed various generations of pool players. Has there been a stylistic change over time? Did Wimpy use as much outside as today's pros when playing 9 ball (I realize he wasn't playing Texas Express rules, but seems to be the closest basis for comparison)? Did Irving Crane use as much ouside english on cuts as a Mike Sigel?

 

[chefjeff]

I learned all about english from watching Don McCoy play. Don's about 60, I think, so he comes from the "old school." He hits off-center, I'd say, about 97% of the time. I once asked him about this and he said he uses whatever the shot requires, so that's what I do, too. What else could one do to create a successful shot?

Jeff Livingston

 

[sjm]

Also, sjm, I'd like to hear from you on the original question of this thread since you've witnessed various generations of pool players. Has there been a stylistic change over time? Did Wimpy use as much outside as today's pros when playing 9 ball (I realize he wasn't playing Texas Express rules, but seems to be the closest basis for comparison)? Did Irving Crane use as much ouside english on cuts as a Mike Sigel?

I'm going to have to let you down a little here, Lewdo. As many times as I saw these players play, I just don't remember what their preferences were whn it came to outside english on cut shots. Sorry.

 

[lewdo26]

well...

That's ok, sjm. But you know I had to try. Maybe I'm just influenced by certain comments I'd read from players like Robert Byrne, Mosconi and Mizerak. They seemed to be skeptical of using off-center hits on most shots. But I've created this image in my head that there is a generational difference in style. Maybe it is rather a matter of individual style, as Jeff's example of Don McCoy point to.
I just noticed the wei table diagram is not Mark Tadd's but Billy Bob's. Sorry. I'd still like to see it in pictorial form.

 

[sjm]

I wonder if the reason is as simple as table conditions of today are much better than table conditions of old.

The same thing occurred to me, too, Richard. Table conditions should be understood to include the balls, too, which have gotten better over time. Perhaps improvement in tables, cues and pool balls make english less scary for this generation of players than the last. Another factor might just be that on the slow, nappy cloths of yesteryear, on which many shots had to be hit very firmly to create the shape, top pros were a little less inclined to use english.

 

[JLW]

As far as the snooker question goes, I think anyone who has played much on those huge tables with those tiny balls knows how easy it is to miss when you don't hit the center of the pocket. Snooker table pockets can be exceedingly tight, and in my experience, english is much more difficult to use effectively on one of those tables. Plus, if you miss, you can leave your opponent a run that will basically guarantee they win the game if they just play a little leave.

 

[Banks]

ok many of you guys do not know me but i used to play faily good in my opinion im going to try to srir up some controversy.

I think I read somewhere that he can play.. stir it up, Mark.

Another pretty interesting thread regarding english.. enjoy!