Too much info for the beginer?

Johnnyt

Johnnyt

Burn all jump cues
Silver Member
Years ago there wasn’t much information on how to learn the game of pool and get better. Now with thousands of books published on how to shoot pool and the Internet with forums like AZ Billiards giving advice, maybe there is too much conflicting info out there now.

I was talking to my grandson and five of his friends the other day and they all had a different idea of what’s important and what’s not that important. After I talked to some more teens that were just beginning to play pool I was convinced that there was too much info out there. Maybe not too much, but not in any order of importance. People tell them to get a good cue (not that important in the beginning. (A good tip and a straight shaft will do). They say practice this drill and that drill (this is great if you already have the basics down, like stance, smooth straight stroke, and where to hit the OB to make the shot.

My advice to anyone wanting to get beyond a C player in pool is to take lessons from a well respected instructor before you have so many bad habits that each one takes weeks to straighten out. A lot of them mentioned the price of lessons was so high, yet they all wanted to play in tournaments and match-up for money in the near future.

I’m 66 and my dad who was a (A) player taught me how to play. He really never showed me anything about the basics. I feel that’s why I only went so far (B to B+ player) I think if I would have got lessons from a good instructor I could have made it to the next level. Don’t get me wrong. I’m grateful for all he did show me, and being he played on the road for years, the how to gamble and hustle tips were invaluable. Johnnyt
 
The key to all beginners, IMHO opinion is Proper Body alignment.
 
Johnnyt said:
Years ago there wasn’t much information on how to learn the game of pool and get better. Now with thousands of books published on how to shoot pool and the Internet with forums like AZ Billiards giving advice, maybe there is too much conflicting info out there now.

I was talking to my grandson and five of his friends the other day and they all had a different idea of what’s important and what’s not that important. After I talked to some more teens that were just beginning to play pool I was convinced that there was too much info out there. Maybe not too much, but not in any order of importance. People tell them to get a good cue (not that important in the beginning. (A good tip and a straight shaft will do). They say practice this drill and that drill (this is great if you already have the basics down, like stance, smooth straight stroke, and where to hit the OB to make the shot.

My advice to anyone wanting to get beyond a C player in pool is to take lessons from a well respected instructor before you have so many bad habits that each one takes weeks to straighten out. A lot of them mentioned the price of lessons was so high, yet they all wanted to play in tournaments and match-up for money in the near future.

I’m 66 and my dad who was a (A) player taught me how to play. He really never showed me anything about the basics. I feel that’s why I only went so far (B to B+ player) I think if I would have got lessons from a good instructor I could have made it to the next level. Don’t get me wrong. I’m grateful for all he did show me, and being he played on the road for years, the how to gamble and hustle tips were invaluable. Johnnyt
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I agree with you 100%, Johnnyt. I couldn't have said it better. Rep points for you. If anyone is going to take advice, take it from ONE source. Never go around asking every highly skilled player for advice, because you will most likely hear something different. Like Johnny said, there is too much info out there, and in my opinion, taking in different advice will get you nowhere. It will just mess you up, and confuse you because your stroke mechanics will change after trying this, trying that and so on and so on. As long as you're stroking straight, and have the CB go where you want it to, you're in top shape.

-Wimpy
 
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And I had the opportunity to take lessons from Steve Cook for $25 an hour back in the eighties. Buddy Hall, Ray Martin, and others were right around the corner (a little more expensive but well worth it I’m sure) I was just crazy not to take Steve up on it. All I wanted to do was gamble and party, party, party. Johnnyt
 
Johnnyt said:
Years ago there wasn’t much information on how to learn the game of pool and get better. Now with thousands of books published on how to shoot pool and the Internet with forums like AZ Billiards giving advice, maybe there is too much conflicting info out there now.

I was talking to my grandson and five of his friends the other day and they all had a different idea of what’s important and what’s not that important. After I talked to some more teens that were just beginning to play pool I was convinced that there was too much info out there. Maybe not too much, but not in any order of importance. People tell them to get a good cue (not that important in the beginning. (A good tip and a straight shaft will do). They say practice this drill and that drill (this is great if you already have the basics down, like stance, smooth straight stroke, and where to hit the OB to make the shot.

My advice to anyone wanting to get beyond a C player in pool is to take lessons from a well respected instructor before you have so many bad habits that each one takes weeks to straighten out. A lot of them mentioned the price of lessons was so high, yet they all wanted to play in tournaments and match-up for money in the near future.

I’m 66 and my dad who was a (A) player taught me how to play. He really never showed me anything about the basics. I feel that’s why I only went so far (B to B+ player) I think if I would have got lessons from a good instructor I could have made it to the next level. Don’t get me wrong. I’m grateful for all he did show me, and being he played on the road for years, the how to gamble and hustle tips were invaluable. Johnnyt
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100% Correct, If I wouldnt hane devloped bad habits at 12-13 I wouldnt have had the uphill battle I had at 18-22 yeb-ars old, sure I became an A- player on a good day, and can beat all the B players but with the effort I put in I should have gone farther, an instructor when your young is the best way to go, forget the books, words etc, in the box with lessions is the best!!!!!!
 
I agree, you give a Begginer a good stance, a bridge and the knowledge on how to line up and that is all that is required. once they have a "Stroke" you work on thier eye movement so they can aquire a target and be able to focus, If they play hard 3-4 times a week they will run a rack in a month or two. 5 years and no bad habbits will be enough time to develop the players game to the fullest extent. so from Novice to pro 5 years with the right advice from the start.


SPINDOKTOR
 
You cant train what God left out, thus we have pro's. but I believe 80% of the players would play better if they had a proper start and some very good A players who I couldnt ever beat had the proper instruction, thats the difference. /now that i'm older my mental game is much more mature that it was 20 years ago, it too coild have been stronger had I had instruction there as well.
 
Whenever I help someone new out, all I teach is bridge, stroke, and basic preshot routine. If they stick with that, and are still doing it a few days later, I'll get into hitting center ball / follow / draw and getting position without using any english, just speed control. Everything else will come with time - but you need to get those down, or nothing else will matter.
 
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