The real way to AZB
- Thread starter Albatross Cues
- Start date
Oh ya, PSR, I knew there was something I was forgetting. Formulate plan while chalking the cue, visualize the shot, cue ball speed, angles. Make a plan, then just get down and execute trying to not let the mind get in the way, no thinking, just reflexes, trust in the stroke. Although the planning part may be genius, the execution turns out like a soup sandwich.
You can have all the knowledge in the world, but if you can't use it there is not much point in having it. Or maybe it is not letting it get in the way. I guess there is something to this KISS system.
Now back to the practice table.
Aloha
Honestly, I have to laugh at this...
You said you watched the DVD's and read the books, but they didn't help much but that now that you've spent hours on the table practicing, that THAT has started to help your game...lol...You've already watched the DVD's and read the books.
You don't think that the knowledge those things imparted on you had an effect on the practice and ability to execute with the practice???
I don't know anyone worth their salt that claims watching a DVD or reading a book is going to improve your game by itself.
That would be like claiming you can read a book by sleeping with it on your chest.
Improvement doesn't happen by osmosis. You gain knowledge, then you practice, practice, practice and then gain some more knowledge and practice a lot more if you want to improve.
For most people though, if you don't gain the knowledge from somewhere, all the practice in the world will be very little help because to be blunt, most people are too stupid to gain the requisite knowledge from practicing with no other input.
Jaden
You said you watched the DVD's and read the books, but they didn't help much but that now that you've spent hours on the table practicing, that THAT has started to help your game...lol...You've already watched the DVD's and read the books.
You don't think that the knowledge those things imparted on you had an effect on the practice and ability to execute with the practice???
I don't know anyone worth their salt that claims watching a DVD or reading a book is going to improve your game by itself.
That would be like claiming you can read a book by sleeping with it on your chest.
Improvement doesn't happen by osmosis. You gain knowledge, then you practice, practice, practice and then gain some more knowledge and practice a lot more if you want to improve.
For most people though, if you don't gain the knowledge from somewhere, all the practice in the world will be very little help because to be blunt, most people are too stupid to gain the requisite knowledge from practicing with no other input.
Jaden
That's a naive attitude...
What you've described here may work best for you for right now, but it's naive to think that's what will work best for everyone, or even for the majority.
That's why high level sports are an individual path of discovery. Past a certain point, you have to find the focal points that work best for you.
For some people it's blocking out all thought while executing, for others it's focusing on a specific preshot routine, up to and including: aiming systems, eye movements, cue stick manipulation, focusing on grip, focusing on stance, eye and head position, etc...
Anyone who claims they have the be all end all system for everyone doesn't know how to teach.
I used to throw knives a LOT. I was pretty damn good at it. I had a friend who wanted to learn how. There's a specific proper technique to doing so.
This friend though had had nine surgeries before he was 1 and a half years old including the fusion of three vertebrae.
He had difficulty throwing knives with the proper technique because his body didn't move naturally in that direction, so his body would twist and he would release the knife at an odd angle and it wouldn't spin straight.
I told him a different way to throw and he immediately started throwing more accurately and was able to get the knives to stick in the target fairly deeply.
Now that was an illustration of a physical limitation. Most people's limitations are mental, not physical.
As many like to say, the mind gets in the way. That doesn't mean that a zen empty mind is best for everyone though. It means it's important to find the right focal points for each individual.
That also doesn't mean that people shouldn't strive to emulate proper technique and really this whole concept is more for advanced players who have already achieved a modicum of high skill.
IMO, people who want to get as good as they can get should learn in stages.
First, proper stance, a straight, repeatable stroke. etc.
Then aiming using ghost ball (the easiest aiming system IMO).
Then tangent line position and speed control
Then follow and draw.
Then side spin and advanced aiming techniques.
There are multiple levels and unbelievable amounts of knowledge, strategy for various games etc, that happen within each of these stages.
Again, the above is my personal opinion about the most efficient way to achieve a high level of skill and ability, but I would be both a fool and a hypocrite if I claimed it was the only way, or even the best way for everyone.
I have seen the above work though as it has been the way I've taught to people who have stated they were serious about achieving a high level of play. One of whom is now one of the best players in Colorado.
Jaden
What you've described here may work best for you for right now, but it's naive to think that's what will work best for everyone, or even for the majority.
That's why high level sports are an individual path of discovery. Past a certain point, you have to find the focal points that work best for you.
For some people it's blocking out all thought while executing, for others it's focusing on a specific preshot routine, up to and including: aiming systems, eye movements, cue stick manipulation, focusing on grip, focusing on stance, eye and head position, etc...
Anyone who claims they have the be all end all system for everyone doesn't know how to teach.
I used to throw knives a LOT. I was pretty damn good at it. I had a friend who wanted to learn how. There's a specific proper technique to doing so.
This friend though had had nine surgeries before he was 1 and a half years old including the fusion of three vertebrae.
He had difficulty throwing knives with the proper technique because his body didn't move naturally in that direction, so his body would twist and he would release the knife at an odd angle and it wouldn't spin straight.
I told him a different way to throw and he immediately started throwing more accurately and was able to get the knives to stick in the target fairly deeply.
Now that was an illustration of a physical limitation. Most people's limitations are mental, not physical.
As many like to say, the mind gets in the way. That doesn't mean that a zen empty mind is best for everyone though. It means it's important to find the right focal points for each individual.
That also doesn't mean that people shouldn't strive to emulate proper technique and really this whole concept is more for advanced players who have already achieved a modicum of high skill.
IMO, people who want to get as good as they can get should learn in stages.
First, proper stance, a straight, repeatable stroke. etc.
Then aiming using ghost ball (the easiest aiming system IMO).
Then tangent line position and speed control
Then follow and draw.
Then side spin and advanced aiming techniques.
There are multiple levels and unbelievable amounts of knowledge, strategy for various games etc, that happen within each of these stages.
Again, the above is my personal opinion about the most efficient way to achieve a high level of skill and ability, but I would be both a fool and a hypocrite if I claimed it was the only way, or even the best way for everyone.
I have seen the above work though as it has been the way I've taught to people who have stated they were serious about achieving a high level of play. One of whom is now one of the best players in Colorado.
Jaden
Jaden,
I completely agree with what you are saying, I don't know if you read the entire thread, but most of this is satirical and in jest. Although there is some of this I find will help most people, I also believe there can be too much thinking going on at the table, which can hinder some. Sometimes it's better for me to trust the skills I have and stroke the shot to the best of my ability.
To each there own I say, some find the little nuance that propels their game and some struggle with the game letting the mental side hinder their natural ability. We all have our journey and our specific roads to travel. I just like to keep my road on the lighter side and have some fun along the way. Hence the reason for this thread.
Aloha
I completely agree with what you are saying, I don't know if you read the entire thread, but most of this is satirical and in jest. Although there is some of this I find will help most people, I also believe there can be too much thinking going on at the table, which can hinder some. Sometimes it's better for me to trust the skills I have and stroke the shot to the best of my ability.
To each there own I say, some find the little nuance that propels their game and some struggle with the game letting the mental side hinder their natural ability. We all have our journey and our specific roads to travel. I just like to keep my road on the lighter side and have some fun along the way. Hence the reason for this thread.
Aloha
I like this, also like, SIS (shoot it straight)
DOT (don't over think)
And JPTDG (just play the damn Game)
Maybe the acronym is the teacher?
Great more acronyms...
Got a lot of DVDS, to which one are you referring.
TOI by Cj
PP by ME
B&R by RM
SVB by TAR
MP by RM featuring MI
Got a lot of DVDS, to which one are you referring.
TOI by Cj
PP by ME
B&R by RM
SVB by TAR
MP by RM featuring MI
LMAO!! Awesome post OP!
Just being sarcastic.:wink:
Ditto, LOL.
As a Canadian, I want this! I bet it feels like freedom.
Just be a loud mouthed know it all, who thinks they know better than everyone, even hugely successful groups like Matchroom. Then when someone does something you might have mentioned in a post once, take full credit for it, like they really took your advice. Then you, too, can be The Teacher.
Also, denigrate bar boxes and call for them to be burned in every thread that has even one mention of them. Again, acting like an elitist know it all is a must.
Follow this advice, and you, too, can be a Teach/AZB big shot.
Also, denigrate bar boxes and call for them to be burned in every thread that has even one mention of them. Again, acting like an elitist know it all is a must.
Follow this advice, and you, too, can be a Teach/AZB big shot.
"Cyclop" who, ironical does use a "pendulum stroke".
Be careful, the FBI (Fabulous Billiard Instructors) will bug your cell, intercept your emails and have you followed by an agent named "Cyclop" who, ironical does use a "pendulum stroke".
Be careful, the FBI (Fabulous Billiard Instructors) will bug your cell, intercept your emails and have you followed by an agent named "Cyclop" who, ironical does use a "pendulum stroke".
Be careful, the FBI (Fabulous Billiard Instructors) will bug your cell, intercept your emails and have you followed by an agent named "Cyclop" who, ironical does use a "pendulum stroke".
Lol, should have no problem figuring out which eye is dominant here...
Cj,
Btw, when are you coming over to Hawaii to give some lessons? Let me know if you do.
Btw, when are you coming over to Hawaii to give some lessons? Let me know if you do.
Be careful, the FBI (Fabulous Billiard Instructors) will bug your cell, intercept your emails and have you followed by an agent named "Cyclop" who, ironical does use a "pendulum stroke".
Does he also make ersatz billiard balls?
"In the land of the blind the One Eyed man is king."