USA MC Captain

[lfigueroa]

Tony Robles

Pat Fleming (like he doesn't have enough on his plate)

What's he done competitiowise lately?

Lou Figueroa

 

[jasonlaus]

I don't think it matters who the coach is if he is not alone responsible for assembling the players that are to be on the team.

The current system of qualifying to be on the team is highly flawed.

Asking a coach to run a team of players that he has not chosen is guaranteed to fail.

It's like they want you to cook the dinner but will not let you do the grocery shopping.

A coach has to be an authority figure.

One who is respected and who's word is the final say on who is on the team and how that team will operate at all times .. if this is not the case he is really not a coach - he is just a baby sitter.

Just my two cents.

Nobody gonna listen and the Coach cannot possibly think he knows more.....or maybe he is delusional
Jason

 

[lfigueroa]

I disagree with every one of your requirements, then again I'm not American. I'm someone who would like to see a competitive American team. I think you neeed something different, not more of the same.

Hire a coach, instead of a captain. Have the teammates understand that it is his way, or the highway and make them train! I'd actually suggest getting someone from Taiwan. Make them play Taiwanese style for a bit, have them go there and stay for a while. Make them play every pro they have available. I think even though that would cost money it, would be a great investment for any young player! Mabye they could make a deal with the Taiwanese about an exchange of some sort? Put them up at the players houses, then return the favor when they come stateside, for instance. It could be a great pr. stunt as well. Give the Asians a stake in the Mosconi cup! I'd suggest someone a bit like this guy, but I doubt he is available (and I know he's not Taiwanese):

It's the US team. He needs to be American. We are quite jingoistic when it come to stuff like that

And if you don't believe we need pro level coaching to comprehend what's going on just go back and listen to some of the abysmal MC commentary from amateur level players.

And, the game has evolved and the last thing we need is someone from the old days of kick hard and hope.

The part about being articulate is just a reflection of today's day and age. We need a thinker who can express himself, not a caveman.

Lou Figueroa

 

[lfigueroa]

Hi Lou,
I'll partially agree with your post, but I don't feel you have to be a 'real good' player to be the coach. I also think the coach should be 'american' - I'm just not sure what that means. Does that mean a US citizen? It probably wouldn't be a deciding factor.

The coach does not need to be currently competing-that would mean drawing from what many feel 'is the problem' of the current players.

Coaching and playing are related- but not joined at the hip.

I agree that respect is important. And I agree the coach needs to know how to win, and transfer that understanding to the Mosconi team. A coach motivates the players. His tools are psychological as much as physical. He must command the respect of the team, but doesn't really need to be a fierce competitor on the tabl. He does need to be a fierce competitor off the table.

I can think of a couple who would do great, but no guarantee of winning.i also think that the coach should be coaching, if you want a PR person, then have one. Keep the coach in his comfort zone so he can tend to his duties.

And that's what I think - lol.

Mark Griffin

Hey Mark!

Yes, it does need to be pro level player. As I just wrote, listening to amateur level commentary shows you the gulf in knowledge between amateur and pro understanding and thinking.

And of course he needs to be American. It's the US Team for goodness gracious sake.

Lou Figueroa

 

[lfigueroa]

Archer.Been there,is a positive leader,and is well respected.

Not doing much lately competitionwise.

Lou Figueroa

 

[lfigueroa]

I don't think he's the right person or has the right personality. I been around him for many years and I don't think he could bring the best out of the players and I'm not sure they would respond to him, respect/like?

If its not Rodney then let try something all together different, Jeanette Lee.

ack.

Lou Figueroa

 

[lfigueroa]

Team USA aspirants need to work their tails off all year to address their weaknesses. The best coach would be a taskmaster with a huge amount of both technical and tactical knowledge, perhaps a Helfert or an Incardona.

Our players get plenty of practice, but they don't address their areas of weakness. Until that changes, no amount of practice will fill the gaps needed to beat Europe.

Team USA is a broken record in recent years, displaying the same weaknesses year after year. Until this changes, Europe will keep winning.

My top three choices would be Jay Helfert, Billy Incardona and Tony Robles.

Jay is an amateur and BI is of yesteryear. TR --- what's he been doing lately?

Lou Figueroa

 

[lfigueroa]

No-brainer, get Johan Ruijsink, one of the most winning MC coaches.

If we still don't win, we'll have to find some more excuses.

It's the *USA* Team.

Lou Figueroa

 

[lfigueroa]

John Schmidt.

Maybe if the MC were 14.1.

Lou Figueroa

 

[lfigueroa]

Not everybody agrees with the OP. http://www.billiardsdigest.com/new_news/display_article.php?id=1508

meh.

Given the current constraints, with the team being finalized a month ahead, we have enough talent stateside before we take on a Dutchman.

Lou Figueroa

 

[lfigueroa]

I'm surprised that Allen Hopkins' name hasn't been thrown into the hat?
Ex-pro
Experienced at all levels of the game
Successful business person
Great professional promoter
Supporter of the game
IMO - A nice person to deal with
:thumbup:

Sure. Let's get Rempe and Hopkins. Let's get Cuelemans while we're at it.

Lou Figueroa

 

[lfigueroa]

Hi Lou!

I hope all is good with you!

Think about it in pool terms.
You see a guy shoot a shot you never saw before, let alone conceived of.
He's bested everyone you could throw at him

Don't you want to pick the guys brain, especially if he used his arsenal to walk away with the cash repeatedly?

The guy won't have anything to do with you though, no matter how you ask him to show you.
So what do you do?
I would find out who taught him and go to him (or her) or someone that the other guy practices with to learn the way they do it.

Ralph Eckert, Alex Lely and even Johan Ruysink would be awesome for this task!

It's like The Revolutionary War.
New America wasn't filled with skilled fighters, just people hungry and wanting to have more, to get better.
So the USA had Friedrich von Steuben, a German (Prussian) military officer come in and train us to fight.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friedrich_Wilhelm_von_Steuben

It's a life lesson. :wink:

Hey Angel!

But no. We need an American captain to fight this battle. It would be tainted if we won with a Euro captain.

Lou Figueroa

 

[lfigueroa]

I'll say it again anyone that thinks Mark was a bad choice or was the cause or reason why we lost is so lost they probably can't be helped or even listen to what other people have to say. My Mom could have coached us and it would have been the same. This isn't football so you cannot compare the two. The lineup I would say is the biggest thing that could make a difference that the captain has control over.

Do people actually think that high fiving or coming down after you miss a shot is going to help? It's the dumbest thing I've ever heard of. All year we play pool by ourselves nobody in our corner, we are professionals, we do this for a living. Pool is a game of eye hand coordination and problem solving and a game of fractions, millimeters and requires a ton of concentration especially against other world class players. Miss by a millimeter and your hooked or get on the wrong side of the pool and that cost you the match. So you think a coach/captain coming down yelling in your ear or high fiving is going to change anything than that's probably why your on AzBilliards and not playing the Mosconi Cup.

This isn't directed at everyone just some people I hear saying some really negative stuff about Mark. Again some own can lose 5-0 and that doesn't mean they dogged it. Pool you need chances it's baseball, or football where every team gets the ball back. A lot of times you can play perfect and lose in pool. I've lost many sets where I've missed 1 ball or none and your opponent misses 5 balls and I lost.

Also for anyone saying I didn't feel comfortable or I didn't belong. PShhhhhh!! I wanted it as bad as anyone was ready to play everyday... I shot a .940 something, Pat Fleming was there did Accu Stats for all the players and I was the highest of both teams.

I just wish people would think about it even if you think I'm an idiot or wrong just please try to understand both sides. Thanks for your time. I might just start a new thread so more people can read this.

Well said, Justin.

Lou Figueroa
especially the
"I agree with Lou"
part

 

[lfigueroa]

I'll nominate Dennis Hatch. He has the ability to motivate and energize the players.

Well, at a minimum he could beat Karl Boyes to a bloody pulp.

Lou Figueroa
that's sumthin'

 

[lfigueroa]

He probably would't take the job, but my vote would be Nick Varner.

All righty. Rempe, Hopkins, and Varner!

Lou a Figueroa
keep those
postcards comin'

 

[lfigueroa]

Since being alive is not one of your criteria, I say Grady Matthews. Smart, good player, good strategy.

If they need to be alive, Archer or Varner. Efren has said many times he thought Varner was a very smart player and I'm sure he'd be a great coach.

Harold Worst? Wimpy Lassiter maybe?

Lou Figueroa

 

[ribdoner]

was Johan Ruijsink a pro level player before taking over as captain and guiding team euro to prominence?

 

[Get_A_Grip]

I think Jay has the right idea. The players need lots of training, not a cheerleader.

Hopefully the training will include much tighter play, full of safties, and to learn when to go offensive only when they are sure to get out.


_______

 

[lfigueroa]

I'd love the opportunity. I have a plan already in place on how I would prepare our players. It would be a year long process to become a team member. The last month would be like a training camp where we would fine tune our team. I will guarantee one thing. We will come prepared for battle!

You should be disqualified just on the basis of not understanding that you don't get a year. The team is decided after the US 9ball Open.

Lou Figueroa

 

[jay helfert]

You should be disqualified just on the basis of not understanding that you don't get a year. The team is decided after the US 9ball Open.

Lou Figueroa

Clueless as usual Lou. I would be in constant touch ALL YEAR with a group of our top players, encouraging them to play all the majors (with support if needed) and engage them with me in a year long process to recapture the Mosconi Cup! I've outlined other steps I would take on another thread which I'm sure you read Lou.

I have a plan how to win this thing and I won't let knockers stop me. I don't care if you personally don't like me either. No skin off my back.